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Bill's impeachment: The scandal that dare not speak its name
Let me start by saying that Bill Clinton should never have been impeached. It was a vast right wing conspiracy and there clearly were not high crimes committed. But let’s all also admit that he did tarnish the office and lied to his family, friends, and the American people who defended him. But of course, now we have a better understanding of high crimes that should be reasons to impeach. We just don’t seem to have the political will or public desire even though the WH crimes of the last 8 years are deep and wide..
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Comments (7)
I'll repost this in full.
DOn't know why this happens occassionally on TPM. Really annoying.
April 2, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. A President should not perjure themselves. I don't care about the BJ. I care about lying, especially under oath. The chief enforcer of law should not be above the law.
April 2, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
For a president to perjure himself certainly merited the consideration of impeachment. And the sexual conduct will be his legacy. Clearly all of this matters. Too easy to write off Clinton deeds as "Right Wing Conspiracy." That's how the Clintons get out of everything--by blaming someone else.
April 2, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is ironic that Bill's impeachment actually RAISED THE BAR on future impeachments. His was clearly the result of a vendetta by the right, and should never have gone forward. It paralyzed government, and little was accomplished during the last half of his administration.
I disagree that his lying reached the point of a high crime against our country, although I agree that lying is not acceptable.
Lying to get our country into a war however, is certainly a high crime, whether under oath or not. But the fear of consecutive "payback" impeachments is at least one reason I have heard floated for letting the Bush regime get away scot free. A Spineless Democratic Congress is another.
April 2, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lying UNDER OATH is a crime.
April 2, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course it is a crime. There are remedies for perjury that do no rise to the level of impeachment of a President, however. I do not agree that it falls into the category of "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" that is the standard for impeachment.
The State of the Union should be considered as to be given under oath. My point is that Bush's lies are of such a serious nature, and have harmed our country so severely that they should be considered High Crimes under that statute. Clinton's impeachment, for the lowest bar possible, has unfortunately made the standard much higher, or Bush/Cheney's asses would be in prison rather than comfortably anticipating their favors being returned post-2009.
April 2, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit it kind of makes sense though. I mean as a country we'd rather watch American Idol than anything actually mattered. So..its not out of the realm that we'd be pretty cool with Impeaching a guy you lied about getting a hummer at the office.
Going so far as Impeaching someone for actual Treason for lying to the American people and dragging their sons and daughters..husbands and wives into war is probably more than the country can stand. Bush/Cheney make Nixon look like a mere amateur.
April 2, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
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