"'TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
Dear Readers,
Thank you for all the strong reactions to our previous newsletter on the arrest of Augusto Pinochet. Thanks also to the "Sacramento Bee" for publishing the piece in its Sunday Forum section and to the on-line magazine "Intellectual Capital" for soliciting a revised version for publication this month.
In this issue we turn our attention from an ex-head of state who might be tried for human rights abuses to a current head of state who might be tried for lying about sex. Here in Bolivia we don't get the full flavor that one does in the U.S. watching events unfold live on CNN, but even from here it seems pretty obvious that the U.S. political system had quite a wild weekend. On the eve of Christmas, Hanukah and the other winter holidays that bring families together we look at the issue in a little more lighthearted manner with: "'Twas the week before Christmas". Enjoy!
Happy Holidays,
Jim Shultz The Democracy Center Cochabamba, Bolivia
"'TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
THE DEMOCRACY CENTER ON-LINE
by Jim Shultz
(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)
'Twas the week before Christmas and in Washington, the House voted impeachment for Clinton, said he was a louse.
In the White House the Democrats assembled with care, proclaiming that partisanship, not reason, was filling the air.
Around the nation, the citizens marveled and moaned. "Not six more months of this crap," they complained and they groaned.
The pundits, whose wisdom was clear as could be, said "great - millions more, will tune-in to watch me."
In the Senate, with fanfare they prepared for a trial, While Clinton, spun calm, with that weird tight-lipped smile.
And on the far right, there continued the clatter. "He had sex and he lied, a very grave matter."
The nation was torn, over Monica and Bill, a people transfixed on the President's cheap thrill.
Just then when due process seemed for Bill the most bleak, who should we hear come forward and speak.
FIRST CARTER, THEN FORD, AND EVEN FROM DOLE, ALL WITH DEEP THOUGHTS HOW TO MAKE HIM EAT CROW.
First censure, then whip him, then serve his term out. The nation be saved, from the A. Johnson route.
By the foursomes, then dozens, the Congressman agreed. "Let's get this mess over with a little more speed."
And breathing a sigh of relief at the news, Bill and Hillary returned to their regular cues.
Bomb Iraq, blame Saddam, then call for more action, nothing works better than a little distraction.
And when history writes of this saga so silly, what legacy will be cast of the man called "Slick Willie"?
A charmer, a liar, a commander in chief? Or just another husband who caused his wife grief?
FROM THE VANTAGE OF HISTORY, WHAT WILL WE RECALL? "THE ONE WHO BOPPED AN INTERN", THAT'S JUST ABOUT ALL.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
________________________________________________________________
THE DEMOCRACY CENTER ON-LINE is an electronic publication of The Democracy Center, distributed on an occasional basis to more than 1100 nonprofit organizations, policy makers, journalists and others.
Please consider forwarding it along to those who might be interested. People can request to be added to the distribution list by sending an e-mail note to "JShultz@democracyctr.org".
Permission is granted to copy or excerpt any material in
the newsletter, with notice and credit to The Democracy
Center. Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Past issues are available on The Democracy Center Web site.
THE DEMOCRACY CENTER
SAN FRANCISCO: P.O. Box 22157 San Francisco, CA 94122 (415)564-4767 - phone and fax
BOLIVIA: Casilla 5283, Cochabamba, Bolivia
E-MAIL: info@democracyctr.org WEB SITE: http://www.democracyctr.org