By: Mary Mostert, Analyst, Original Sources, (www.originalsources.com)
February 9, 1999
In his eloquent closing statement Rep. Henry Hyde called the defense of the Rule of Law brought forth "the noblest qualities of the human heart."
The closing statements of each side reflected the basic philosophy of each side. The White House stuck to its defense of Clinton as a "victim" to the bitter end. After a year of unbridled attacks on Kenneth Starr, Paula Jones, Linda Tripp and even of the one person they really needed to not anger, Monica Lewinsky, White House Counsel Chares Ruff used his last bit of time to launch yet another attack - this one on the House Impeachment Managers.
Rep. Henry Hyde warned that: "A failure to convict will make the statement that lying under oath, while unpleasant and to be avoided, is not all that serious." T he Illinois Republican was scathing in rebutting defense claims that the House prosecutors had wanted "too badly to win." None of the House prosecutors, he said, "has committed perjury nor obstructed justice nor claimed false privileges. None of us has hidden evidence under anyone's bed nor encouraged false testimony before the grand jury. "That's what you want to do if you want to win too badly."
Earlier, in a final summation for the defense, White House Counsel Charles F.C. Ruff launched a sharp attack on the Republican prosecutors. They are, he said, " more focused on retribution, more designed to achieve partisan ends, more uncaring about the future we face together."
Referring to the prosecutors' claims of "seven pillars of obstruction," he ridiculed them for building their case on "shifting sand castles of speculation."
The House Managers one by one, on the other hand, delivered impassioned appeals to the Senators to address the future - especially the future of America's children - in their deliberations and vote.
Rep. Rogan spoke of the poignancy of the trial for him because, when he was a Democrat, Bill Clinton befriended him. He said of the House Managers. "This is not out of animosity towards the President. Until now the idea that no person is above the law has been unquestioned. And yet this standard is not our inheritance automatically. ...Once again, it is time to choose. ...our body (House of Representatives) would not tolerate a powerful man in the world trampling the civil rights of a lone woman -no matter how obscure and humble. .. No person is above the law."
Rep. Lindsay Graham, said, "I'm the first Republican in 120 years from my district- and I understand they hung the last guy. ...Part of the problem of this case is that we have to confront our own sins. ...I would never want our president removed for private sins -only when it gets to be constitutionally out of bounds; only when it gets so egregious when you can't look your children in the eyes and explain it to them. What are we going to leave to the next generation? What are we going to do when the next judge comes before the House for cheating on his taxes?
"If you can go back to your children and your constituents explain how you can be truthful and misleading at the same time good luck! That is the legacy that Bill Clinton will leave."
At one point in the proceedings it was pointed out that something like 89% of the American people now believe that Bill Clinton lied under oath and obstructed justice. Yet, that same group does not want him removed from office.
Why? Why are the American people so willing to settle for such low standards in their elected leaders?
Rep. Hyde I believe put his finger on the problem as he told the Senators:
"Our most formidable opponent has not been opposing counsel - nor any political party. It has been the cynicism - the widespread conviction that all politicians and politics are by definition corrupt and venal. That cynicism is eating away at public life. It blinds us to the nobility and fragility of being a self-governing people. Will your vote lessen or increase that cynicism?"
Cynics are people without hope. Cynics are people who believe the worst about someone else, who believe that others are selfish and insincere and who sneer at, ridicule or are sarcastic of others. The defense mounted by the White House attorneys for their client Bill Clinton are perfect examples of cynicism.
A world run by cynics is a scary place. If Clinton's behavior is acceptable to the Senators (and unless he is convicted, they will have voted that it IS acceptable) we are living in a country which treats a woman like Paula Jones, who would not succumb to Clinton's oral sex demands, as the villain, while the man is a "hero" to be honored and rewarded with continued trust. I find myself worrying about ways to warn my twelve granddaughters how to evade the kind of unwelcome sexual attacks that will inevitably result from a Senate vote that announces to the world that such behavior is acceptable from the world's most powerful man. It is bizarre that no so-called "feminist" group or leaders has condemned the obvious double standard we seem ready to accept. Dr. Battalino, a medical doctor at a VA Hospital, lost her right to practice medicine after being prosecuted by Bill Clinton's Justice Department for ONE incident of lying under oath about a consensual sexual contact with a patient (not her own) at the hospital. But, then, she was a woman. Lt. Kelly Flynn lost her job in the Clinton military- but, then SHE was a woman.
What happened to all those militant females who used to talk about how unfair this kind of double standard is? Why, they are meekly standing by their man, Bill Clinton!
Do we have "one rule of law for the powerful and another rule of law for ordinary people" as Rep. Hyde suggests will result in an acquittal for President Clinton?
Many people are worried that we are about to have that demonstrated to us by the Senate. I have read literally thousands of e-mail in recent weeks, some addressed to me and others addressed to members of Congress. I am impressed on a daily basis with the eloquence of ordinary Americans who are deeply concerned for their country and for their children's future. And, the House Managers are not the only people who are urging a principled stand. The Senators are getting letters from all over America urging them to following principle, not the polls.
In the last few days several thousand letters have come through headed to Senators. Those who believe it will "all be over" if Clinton is acquitted are wrong. By the next election, those who are finding it difficult to confront their own shortcomings may find that it is a story that may never be over if the votes are for expediency, not truth.
To comment: mmostert@originalsources.com
A few samples of letters:
Dear Members of the U.S. Senate,
All of you are going to wish on your death bed that you had all the energy back that you are expending to somehow justify that though this president is guilty of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' he should not be removed from office. There was a series on the FOX network titled "Secrets of Magic Revealed". In this series a master magician would perform some of the most amazing magic acts and then proceed to show how the 'trick' was done. Even though I saw how the 'trick' was accomplished I found myself being more impressed with the 'trick' because of the remarkable art that was involved. Their dedication to their craft was truly an art and a marvel to behold even though I now know how they "do it".
In the case of your deliberations regarding your verdict of the president, I would just as soon not have it televised. Because I do not consider it to be an art to deny the truth justice. I am not impressed with your dedication to not be brave but instead to follow in the president's footsteps and metaphorically "dodge the draft", in other words take the path of least resistance and "dodge your responsibility" to the truth. I truly pity those of you that vote "not guilty", because I know that it will eat a hole in you that will never go away and will never stop hurting. No, I don't care to be able to watch your collective "sleight of hand" molest and defile our Constitution. Please keep your pathetic weakness of character private. And I assure you that I shall never expect anything from you again. You will decide to leave a president in office that NONE OF YOU TRUST! Excuse me, but you are all to be pitied. Such terrible shame on your office.
Sadly,
Sam Tomaino
RONASAM@aol.com
Sen. Barbara Boxer
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
I am very troubled by the lack of character and backbone shown by the Democratic Senators during the impeachment proceedings of President Clinton. How can so many condone the actions of this man? Our country has stood for truth, justice, and high morals since its inception and has been the example to the rest of the world. We don't tolerate this kind of behavior at any level. Why would the president be above the law? The excuses laid out by his defense team are laughable and should not be supported by your colleagues. Your actions on this matter will be forever documented in the history books. Which side of right and wrong or truth and lies do you want to be recorded on? I urge you to take a stand for truth. Take a stand for our system of justice. Show the people of this country that it works and that EVERYONE is required to abide by it. A vote to remove the president from office is NOT a losing vote for the Democrats, instead it is a Winning vote that shows STRENGTH, CHARACTER, and HONOR. Does it take a stronger leader to stand against a scoundrel that happens to be in thier own party, or to get rid of someone in an opposing party that you don't care for anyway? Be the leader you were elected to be, vote to remove President Clinton from office and urge your fellow senators to join you!
I will be watching your vote.
Thank you,
Nate Kolenski
From:
Mary Lang CA
: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
I pray when you vote this week you consider that President Clinton lied and obstructed justice, which to quote Senator Byrd does rise to the level of high crimes and misdomeanors. His crime is not about sex but rather about lying and using his position as President of the United States, to obstruct justice.
The President of the United States should not be held to a lower standard of justice than you or I, but should be held to the same level or higher. I work for the county of Los Angeles, and I have known of fellow employees who were fired for lying on their resume (not under oath). President Clinton lied under oath in a deposition and to a Grand Jury, how can he be allowed to keep his job?
Please remember when you vote, to vote your conscious. Since the President is unwillng to uphold the law and live by the constitution he swore to protect, then our fate lies in your hands and in the hand of your fellow Senators. Please do not undo what our forefathers took over 200 years to build.
William Jefferson Clinton is not a "god" and he is not a "king", and he is not above the law.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann
Loveqid@aol.com