come spank this op-ed writer --- grrrrrr!

[grasswire]

The columnist is Bruce Kauffmann, who writes a syndicated piece called "Bruce's History Lesson." His email is [e-mail].

His column on Sunday was all about Clinton and Lewinsky -- a rehash of Clinton's misrepresentations to Congress and the humiliations he endured.

Then he ends with this:

"Ironically, in the trial's wake, Clinton's job approval rating remained strong, while the Republican Party took a public relations beating for "going after" Clinton about something as trivial as sex. Food for thought for those Democrats who are thinking of impeaching President Bush for 'lying'"

It's outrageous to make a moral equivalent out of the lies Bill Clinton told about his sexual relationship AND the lies told by George W. Bush that have drained the U.S. Treasury, caused world chaos, and cost the lives of thousands of American men and women and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis. OUTRAGEOUS. And to have the word "lying" in parentheses means he doesn't even believe that Bush has lied.

This guy used to work for Dan Rather. He oughta know better. Please help me spank him with e-mails. Grrrr! Clinton lied, no one died!

Here's a link to his web site. http://www.historylessons.net/brucebiography.html

[northzax]

1. there's your major problem

since Bush was never under oath, he didn't, as far as I know, commit any high crimes or misdemeanors for lying. a lot of other things, perhaps, but a politician lying on the stump is not an impeachable offense (or we'd have no politicians left at all)

[Mz Pip]

3. Since the State of the Union speech

is mandated by the Constitution wouldn't lying in that be a serious offense?

I want to see BushCo held accountable. Maybe the Dems retaining the House and Senate will ultimately be enough for me. Elections are one way to have accountablitly.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[northzax]

4. not under oath

the president is required to give a statement to the Congress, I don't think that it has to be 100% true (otherwise every President would be impeachable for something)

[MrCoffee]

7. The State of the Union speech is not mandated by the Constitution

Article 2, Section 3: He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;

The prez can email Congress and satisfy the Constitutional requirement.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Clinton was under oath but was given a legal definition of sex

According to which definition, he had not had sex with Monica Lewinsky.

[Teaser]

2. well his assessment may be correct

it may be that americans wouldn't like to see another impeachment trial. Should that, however, weigh more heavily on our decision to bring * to account for his crimes?

[gratuitous]

6. If Bruce thinks lying about sex is trivial

Then he apparently thinks lying about going to war is equally trivial? I'm not sure I understand his point. Something two adults mutually consent to do in private is somehow equivalent to billions squandered, thousands dead, and our national credibility ruined for a generation or more? What is he trying to say? And does he get paid to write? Seems like someone's being taken for a ride here by Mr. Kauffmann, but I don't think it's the discerning reader.