I'm ignorant about Clinton -- please help!

[Shredr]

RE: a LTTE posted elsewhere on DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x165432

This idiot rambles on and on about the "different scandal every day under Clinton, financial to sexual." Then he says something about Clinton selling secrets to China in exchange for campaign money. Huh?

Now, I am not citing this loon as a credible witness ("red China," he calls it -- and claims liberals want to legalize NAMBLA), but I'll be honest, I was a partying frat boy throughout most of Clinton's presidency. Yes, yes, I know about Monica, but is there any truth to anything else this moron is saying? There's no way Clinton's administration was as corrupt as *'s, right?

I have only been involved in politics since about mid-way through Heir Bush's disasterous first term, so therer are gaps in my knowledge. Can anyone clue me in on the tone of Clinton's presidency? Or suggest a website or book?

How will history remember Bill Clinton?

Thanks.

[blm]

1. The FBI "insider" claiming Clinton serviced China was Robert Hanssen, the

spy who worked closely with LOUIS FUCKING FREEH.

[ieoeja]

6. Nuclear Secrets and China

Following the disaster at Chernobyl then President George H.W. Bush asked the United States Senate for their advise and consent on helping China upgrade their nuclear facilities. Shortly thereafter China shocked the world by recommencing nuclear testing. This was widely assumed to be in response to the display of US military power in the Gulf War.

Side note: Chinese military leaders did publicly announce that in their opinion the Chinese military couldn't hold out a week against what they saw in the Gulf War. This led to a demand for liberalization of the Chinese gov't and the (relatively) greater openness of their society since.

In reality, military nuclear technology slipped out during our transfer of peaceful nuclear technology to China. The Bush administration decided this knowledge was too secret to share with Congress. The incoming Clinton administration continued this policy. By the time congress found out, control had switched to the Gingrich Revolution with their "no compromise with Democrats" policy. So what should have been a non-partisan issue of national security became instead an opportunity to brand Clinton a traitor who leaked nuclear secrets to China. The fact that the leak preceeded Clinton's presidency didn't matter to Republicans in congress anymore than the fact that his wife and son were killed by gov't agents before Clinton's presidency mattered to Randy Weaver.

All you have to do is change the phrase:

"Under (Bush) nuclear secrets were leaked to China"

... to ...

"Under (Clinton we learned) nuclear secrets were leaked to China"

... and you still have a factual statement.

[Shredr]

7. Ah. Very interesting. Thanks. n/t

[ieoeja]

2. Most Investigated Administration in History

Clinton was easily the most investigated President in history. Many issues, like the Vince Foster suicide, were investigated by several different Republican groups (all which concluded that, yes, Vince Foster committed suicide). The bottom line:

1. Clinton misled Paula Jones' investigators with regard to his relationship with Monica. While not illegal, this did violate the ethic codes required to maintain his good standing in the bar association resulting in his being temporarily disbarred.

2. Clinton was one of the victims of the White Water land fraud in Arkansas. Yes, the Starr report ultimately concluded that Clinton was a VICTIM, not a criminal in that case. And, yet, 90+% of the "Clinton was dirty" fantasies arose out of his involvement as a victim in that case.

[Gman]

5. And we enjoyed prosperity the likes of which hadn't been seen

in over 30 years. Of course this was a bad thing under Bush so they stopped it immediately.

[AntiFascist]

3. There are 2 FBI whistleblowers who have linked the Clintons with...

the BFEE. I don't know enough to judge the validity of these claims, I'm just reporting what's out there. I did become disgusted when Bill started hanging out with Bush I after the tsunami, and he started to defend Bush II immediately after Katrina, then backpedaled.

[No Exit]

4. Ask the jackass about Neil Bush's doings re: China n/t