Ten Fingers, 6 Strings: Defending Clinton

September 05, 2005

Defending Clinton

My last few posts defended the current President from fallacious attacks from the Left. Being an equal opportunitist when it comes to cutting through hyperbole, I want to defend our previous President from the same. Bill Quick takes a jab at Clinton as him and Bush Sr. announce a relief fund for Hurrican Katrina victims:

I am so sick and tired of GHWB providing ethical cover and legitimacy to this lying, perjurious scumbag (Clinton). He should be shunned by decent people. No, the end does not justify the means.

With all the shameful, partisan vitriol we've seen in the last few days, two ex-Presidents from opposing parties get together in a show of genuine cooperation to announce a measure that will help the relief cause, and there are still some that cannot resist taking pot shots.

I personally don't have any rancor towards Mr. Clinton and am rather glad that, unlike the borderline treasonous actions of another ex-President, Jimmy Carter, I'm happy that he is trying to do something positive to help.

I'm not here to defend the morality of the man (I could care less), but punditry like this can be accurately labeled from a skit a few years ago called, "Who's More Grizzled?" on Saturday Night Live featuring Robert Duvall and Garth Brooks. A final question asked to these two working class guys in flannel shirts, spitting tobacco, "What are you thoughts on immigrant labor?"

Garth Brooks: "Well, if you have a good back, we could use you."

Robert Duvall: "The day I set foot on that beach in Normandy, I never wished more that there was a god in heaven, and I was never more certain that they wasn't."

Garth Brooks: "Damn...you are grizzled..."

Posted by 10 fingers 6 strings at September 5, 2005 05:19 PM | TrackBack

Comments

What's important to remember is that Clinton, for all his considerable faults, represents the voice of reason and sanity within the Democratic party. I've never liked him, but I am not going to begrudge him the chance to do good works.

Bush is also politically shrewd in asking Clinton for help. Clinton throws a big spotlight on precisely how crazy the rest of the Democratic party has become. He is a reminder, like it or not, of more civilized political times. Who'd have ever thunk it?

Posted by: The Colossus at September 6, 2005 07:57 AM

Clinton looooves the spotlight. He will find his way into it one way or another. I think Bush is smart as hell in giving him something that benefits both of them, and our country.

This is always the side of Clinton that I thought was his strength: amiable, back-slapping and positive. We all know that he can turn on a dime, but for good or bad, Clinton was a two-term President of the United States, and his voice is a very powerful one. I think it is great that he has chosen, so far, to use it for something positive.

I agree with you that Bill Clinton is shaming the modern face of the Democratic party. There was a day where I was rather agnostic between the two parties, but today, I can't imagine ever seeing the likes of Howard Dean, or even his wife, controlling the executive branch. Bill was shrewd and ruthless, but he wasn't crazy.

Posted by: TF6S at September 6, 2005 08:21 AM