December 23, 1998
 

We are living in an age where civility in American politics has been eaten away like Mickey Mantle's liver. What did Bill Clinton call it? The Politics of Personal Destruction? Just a few of the ones who have been torn down by this are Gary Hart, Bob Livingstone and even Henry Hyde. And who is to blame? Is it Rush Limbaugh, G. Gordon Liddy, Ollie North and the other talking idiots out there all over radio land? Is it the media pundits on CNN, America's Voice and C-SPAN? Yes to all of these. I mean, let's face it. If all the media pundits in this country were laid end to end, they still would not reach a conclusion.

So Bill Clinton has become the first elected president in the history of the country to be impeached. And for what? An inappropriate intimate relationship with an intern. Now the talking heads will tell you this is about perjury, obstruction of justice and all that. In fact, it's about a Republican Congress who has been out to get Clinton from the get go. And Kenneth Starr. But let's don't get started on Ken Starr. His poll numbers put him in the same category as Saddam Hussein as far as favorability is concerned.

And then you hear the comparisons to Richard "I Am Not A Crook" Nixon. Get over it. Bill Clinton is no Richard Nixon. Nixon was involved in a cover up of an illegal act, the break in of the Democrat National Headquarters. Clinton got caught with his pants down and was understandably embarrassed. And anything he may have done to keep that from getting out, while ill advised, was no where near what the term "high crimes and misdemeanors" implies.

But is it not ironic that Clinton's biggest detractor was Bob Livingstone? This is a man who has been described as a serial cheater from voices within of his own party? Ah, yes, politics as usual. So should he have resigned from the House? Of course not. If Bill Clinton's personal life should not affect his job, then the same should be said of Republicans. But one thing I do not understand. Livingstone made that speech on the floor of the House and resigned, then called for Clinton to do the same thing. But his resignation was not immediate. Help me out here. What gives? Even Newt "Deadbeat Dad" Gingrich had the decency to resign immediately.

But I am enjoying this. The GOP (and that's short for Get Our President, of course) are digging their own grave for the year 2000. I saw a poll recently where Americans had a 58% unfavorable view of the Republicans. So I have a prediction. George W. Bush won't run in two years. No one will, with the except of maybe Pat Buchanan, Phil Grahm and a few of the others from 1996. Maybe even Alan Keyes. Again. Even Dan Quayle will have the good sense to sit this one out. And on January 20, 2001, we will swear in our second straight Democratic president, Al Gore. Mark my words.
 
 

Joseph C. Hinson
 
All condemnation may be sent to the same e-mail addy as the hate mail regaurding "Holy Spirit."
 
 

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