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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 1998)
5 Opinion H he CI ac I< amas P rînt ... should he be impeached? Is a lie enough to destroy a presidency ? BRAD ZIMMERMAN Co-Editor-in-Chief 1. “Yeah it matters, for one: he’s a dumb-ass for doing it in the first place, and two: him messing around shouldn’t matter but it does. ” 2. “What’s morality?... Yeah, I think it does because he’s supposed to lead the nation. ” James McMillan A student 1. “ No. I don’t think that that affects his ability to lead the nation. What’s problematic, though, is that he may have perjured himself. Sure, he may indeed have had an affair and that doesn’t bother me a bit, but if he can perjure himself in one situation and not in another, when will we be able to trust him. So that’s my take on it. ” This was shaping up to be a good year. Sure, the economies of most of Asia areh’t so hot and Iraq looks like it might cause some trouble but that besides those big problems, ’98 was looking to be a good year. Now it looks like most Republicans’ biggest dream could possibly come true: the impeachment of the President of the United States. When the problems with Gennifer Flowers were an issue back in ’92, no 1. “Yes, because he represents the one cared too much. Clinton denied United States and he also represents any wrongdoing and the media didn’t the integrity of the people of the United really seem to care. Then Paula Jones States. We ’ll have to wait and see if came along. Again, there was some he’s guilty. ” interest but nothing substantial. Now, from out of the blue comes 2. “I think the scandal might affect his Monica Lewinsky. There are several reputation, and so that might affect his reasons why the press has jumped all ability to be a good President and the over Clinton this time. One, Lewinsky stress might affect his ability to be a jvas 21 when the supposed affair good President. ” occured. Two, Lewinsky has already charge is Laurie McGinnis A signed an affidavit stating that she did true student not have a sexual relationship with Clinton Clinton. However, now apparently • ■ she’s saying that may not be the case, /izfe? which leads to the third point, the blame Lewinsky might have been pressured ^>7” j^ot into lying. Finally, Clinton has already , . , . stated, under oath that he didn’t have ^^tlg e a sexual relationship with Lewinsky. tO Control If he did, he could be accused of per- , himself. -■ jury, which is a federal (and impeach- able) offense. Brad The popular press is claiming they Zimmerman 2. “It may depending on what moral issue you ’re talking about. But in this given instance I don’t believe the im morality of committing adultery affects his ability to lead the nation. If it were a different moral question, I would an swer differently. ” 1. “Yes I do. The fact that he’s mar ried. It might reflect in his work, like his honesty. ” 2. “I don’t think it affects his ability, but I do think it affects his ability to be honest. If he is found guilty I don’t think he should be impeached, but he should be punished. ” Debbie Planert A student Tim Schell A English instructor 1. “No. I don’t really care. I don’t like him and I don’t think he should be there anyway. ” 2. “If he’s lying about it he shouldn’t be President because he’s obviously not trustworthy. ” Garrett Johnson A student don’t have a big problem with the fact ’ that Clinton had an affair. Most edi- ____________ tors and writers claim they knew he wasn’t perfect back in ’92. They say now, though, that if he lied it’s way more serious. The other night on OPB radio, three newspaper edi tors were interviewed. One editor was from Denmark; the other two (a man and a woman) were from Seattle and San Francisco respectively. The editor from Den mark brought up several interesting points, one of which was the fact that the only reason Clinton would have had to lie was because the media got interested in his private life. Of course, I don’t advocate extramarital affairs. Per sonally, I think if the extramarital charge is true, Clinton should take the blame for not being able to control him self. But there’s so much more involved here than a simple affair and a possible lie. Since ’92 Clinton has helped lead the American economy into some of its best years since the mid ‘70’s; he’s worked with Congress to balance the budget. He’s helped bring the situation in Bosnia under control. He’s one of the most respected world leaders we’ve seen since John Kennedy. Of course, Kennedy had plenty of af fairs. Media people are claiming that the American people can’t let someone lead them that has lied about his ac tivities. This is ridiculous. Every president has lied about his activities since Washington. The American public, contrary to popular opinion, does not need to know every last detail. We’re experiencing information overload as it is. Of course, every media person is taking the moral high ground. It disgusts me. I don’t think anyone is looking even a month into the future here, much less a few years into the future. The impeachment or early removal of a successful president, a president who’s done so much for America and its citizens, will have a profound im pact on the entire world. Is it worth it just to punish a lie? Wednesday, January 28, 1998
