RE: impeachment

[John Guyer <johnguy@microsoft.com>]

In deference to those that would rather see this topic go away, this will be
my last post on the subject.  For those that would like to carry on the
discussion off-line, please feel free to email me directly.

I appreciate the responses I have been sent to this point.  I understand
your perspective much more.  

In Mr. Swanson's post he mistakes my point.  I did not say that President
Clinton was unfit to lead because of "personal indiscretions".  If that was
the perception I left, then I apologize for the misleading statements.  I
would certainly cast my vote against someone that demonstrated this type of
behavior, but I don't think that warrants impeachment.  My perspective is
that he ought to be impeached because he committed specific crimes.  Acts
that have been deemed crimes because they hold our justice system together.
Mr. Swanson is absolutely correct those that there many people in power are
guilty of these same crimes.  I am NOT advocating a double standard by any
means.  If they are guilty of the crime, they should do the time (as it
were). 

Mr. Swanson asks, "Where will it end?"  Indeed good question.  Robert
Hoffman used a great analogy in a direct mail where he states, "You'd like
to prune the branch when the whole tree is rotting to the core."  A great
analogy (having been raised in orchard country, I like that one a great
deal).  He is exactly right.  However, I would also like to lay an axe to
the tree.  You can't have growth where you have dead wood.  

To do otherwise.  To tolerate crimes because everyone is doing it, is to
admit defeat.  If the ones wagging their fingers are guilty, then they
should be removed too.  Too many people shed blood for the freedom that we
enjoy for us to let them persist.  The least I can do for those that fought
so diligently for my freedom, is to do what I can to preserve what they have
died for.

We have the right to vote and we need to use it.  For my part, I will
continue to vote against corruption and advocate its prosecution where it is
found.  For those that have surrendered to the status quo, I understand how
you feel, but I would encourage to take the harder road.  Don't stand for
that kind of corruption wherever it is found.  Least of all in the highest
post in our nation.

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts.  Much appreciated.

-JG-


-----Original Message-----
From: B. J. Swanson [mailto:bjswan@moscow.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 1998 11:14 AM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: RE: impeachment



At 08:18 AM 12/30/98 -0800, John Guyer wrote:

>My question is a more basic one.  How do the impeachment
detractors find
>President Clinton still fit to lead, when he has used a
tool of war against
>the people and the system he is sworn to serve?


If President Clinton is unfit to lead because of personal
indiscretions, then perhaps most of Corporate America CEO's,
Congress, government officials, religious leaders, a great
many in positions of power (men and women), should be deemed
"unfit" also.  Where will it end?  Should a Special
Prosecutor be appointed now to welcome the next president
into office?

B. J. Swanson
bjswan@moscow.com