Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
"Thumbs down!" by Christopher Hitchens; "Thumbs up!" by Peter Leyden
Aug 16, 2000 | Read Christopher Hitchens' story
Thank you, Christopher Hitchens. It appalls me how many fellow Democrats refuse to confront the sad, bitter truth about the man we chose to represent our party for the last eight years. After showing such promise and charisma, this failed boy of a man has done more to destroy my party than any Republican attack ever could. The sheer number of allegations against this man boggle the mind, and if even a fraction of them eventually turn out to be based in fact then I believe that the punishment for his crimes should be exile, being stripped of his citizenship and being shipped off to China. The sooner that this man-child -- and don't get me started on Al Gore -- is out of our lives the better. Even if it means putting little boy Bush in the White House for four years. There's no way he will ever serve more than one term, and having a Republican whipping-boy might be a relief.
-- Dick Fitz
Every time I think of voting for Gore, Christopher Hitchens pulls me back to reality.
Why don't more liberals protest Clinton? And I'm not talking about the Joe Lieberman way of scolding him for his personal behavior and then not doing the gutsy thing by voting for his impeachment. I think the worst thing for progressives is if Gore and Lieberman won. There won't be anything liberal left to cling to.
-- Jim Haug
Christopher Hitchens displays an appallingly selective view of recent history. I'm not even going to address the Juanita Broaddrick slime -- garbage that has been spread for years by the same folks who talk of murder in Arkansas. But I will address facts.
On the economy: Hitchens glibly assigns our economic successes to Alan Greenspan, conveniently forgetting that the one factor that turned everything around was Clinton's '94 balanced budget -- the first balanced budget in more than a generation (something Reagan and Bush failed to do) -- a measure that the GOP fought tooth and nail. This, more than anything else (as any non-partisan economist will tell you), ended an era of soaring interest rates that was hobbling our economy.
On Ricky Ray Rector: Yes, I was appalled. But let's inject a bit of perspective. The current GOP presidential nominee has been, and continues to be, the busiest executioner this nation has seen since Hanging Judge Parker more than a century ago. In point of fact, G.W. Bush now has Parker beat. And with the execution last week of an inmate with the I.Q. of a 6-year-old, Bush also has Clinton's awful Rector decision beat.
The wag-the-dog Sudan scenario: I needn't say much, beyond pointing out President Bush's splendid little war to make the world safe for cheap oil -- an easy war he nevertheless managed to screw up. Clinton did not get us in a war in Sudan. Bush DID get us in a war against Iraq -- a war which most benefited his good Texas buddies in the "awl bidness," at a time when his approval ratings were quite low. The war got his ratings up, at which point his limited attention span turned elsewhere. Which is why Saddam Hussein remains with us today.
-- Rod Proctor
Hitchens is a great opinion-piece writer and always a fun read. But like so many American men in his age group he is driven to froth-at-the-mouth frenzy by Bill Clinton. Classic vanity/jealousy combo: How can that guy get everything and get away with anything? The president came from a background without name and money and got and succeeded in the most coveted job in the world. He is intelligent, charming and women go for him. Hitchens and his ilk can't stand it.
-- J.S. Henry
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