response 53 of 404:

Dec 29 14:26 UTC 2005

I get the feeling that a lot of people (here and of course elsewhere) 
are on one side or the other, and they don't really care what's right 
or wrong, they care about scoring points on the other side or defending 
their side from having points scored on it.

If you attacked Clinton for wrongdoing in the Monica Lewinsky mess, 
then you've established at least that you expect honesty (and 
integrity) from the president.  I did this.  So did klg.

Now the next president has committed dishonesty, and shown a lack of 
integrity.  He's gone much further; he's shown a flagrant lack of 
commitment to the Constitution.

I've denounced this.  I do not understand why klg is not doing so as 
well if he has principles and standards for the behavior of the 
president.

It cuts the other way, too.  Many people here said that Clinton's 
scandal was entirely personal.  When he wagged his finger and lied on 
national TV, he showed he was willing to abuse his presidential power 
to evade the consequences of his personal actions.  That made it a 
national political issue.  (How in the world can anyone believe a man 
who would do that, would NOT very possibly do other things, more 
important but less visible, to cover up his personal problems?  You 
DON'T believe Clinton would have sold a nuclear weapon to Osama bin 
Laden if it would have allowed him to escape his national embarrassment 
and impeachment?)

Those who are currently attacking Bush, but who defended Clinton -- at 
least it seems possible that Bush is *trying* to do something positive 
and in the interests of the American people.  Even if he's misguided, 
he seems to be trying to defend the country from terrorists.  Clinton 
was driven from the course of good governance by mere personal pleasure.

It seems to me that both categories, of people who defend one president 
but attack the other, are motivated by wanting to defend their side and 
overlook it's shortcomings.  I don't understand that, not on Grex.  It 
annoys me much more when my side turns out to be wrong -- as Bush is 
now turning out to be wrong -- than when the other side is committing 
crimes and evil.  I expect my side to be good; that's why I am on the 
side that I am.