New York Times Columnist On President Clinton: “The Man Is So Thoroughly Corrupt It’s Frightening”
1 comment November 27th, 2007
Some of the most savage criticism of Clinton ethics has not always emerged from political conservatives. Consider the following.
Bob Herbert, the eloquent and passionate columnist with The New York Times, can never be accused of being part of Hillary Clinton’s “vast right-wing conspiracy.” He is as liberal as journalists come, a consistent and vehement critic of the Republican Party and President George W. Bush. That is why his column of February 26, 2001 should be required reading for every American of voting age seriously considering casting their ballot for Hillary Rodham Clinton.
That column of Herbert’s, “In America; Cut Him Loose,” was written in the midst of the pardongate scandal. For those who have forgotten, and it is challenging to keep track of all the Clinton scandals, this was Bill Clinton’s parting gesture of contempt towards the American people during literally the final hours of his sleazy and philandering presidency. A host of last minute presidential pardons were granted to a host of shady characters. They included a fugitive billionaire who had once been on the FBI list of ten most wanted, as well as a quartet of swindlers who had stolen tens of millions of dollars in tax payers money.
The connection between both Bill and Hillary Clinton and those pardoned prompted Herbert to write the following in his column: “The Clintons can spin this however they want. But the simple truth is that the way in which some of the pardons were granted seems to fit neatly with the standard definition of a bribe, which is the promise of money or gifts — something of value — to influence the action or behavior of an official.”
Pardongate generated so much outrage in America, it appeared that the Clintons were finished as a political couple. “Bill Clinton has been a disaster for the Democratic Party. Send him packing,” Bob Herbert warned the Democratic Party. He added that, “As neither Clinton has the grace to retire from the scene, the Democrats have no choice but to turn their backs on them. It won’t be easy, but the Democrats need to try.”
Sadly, seven years later, the Democratic Party has not turned its back on the Clintons. It has welcomed Bill Clinton back on the altar as the rock-star among Party stalwarts, and is on the verge of handing Hillary Rodham Clinton its presidential nomination, virtually on a silver platter.
George Santayana, the Spanish-American philosopher, once warned that those who forget the errors and sins of the past are condemned to repeat them. Is this the “change” the Democrats are promising in 2008? It may prove to be a fatal flirtation with deja vu for the American people.
Sheldon Filger, Author
“Hillary Clinton Nude: Naked Ambition, Hillary Clinton And America’s Demise.”
www.hillary-clinton-nude.com
