My Two Views of Bill Clinton
I have difficulty forming a single opinion about Bill Clinton.
As a conservative I see a lot that I don't like about the man, and yet as Matthew Canonicus, I see so much good in him!
As a leader, his style often involved showing great kindness to people. He is often remembered (even by conservatives) for his unique ability to kill other people with kindness. I think that speaks well of him ... I have yet to learn such a style.
Yet ... his offenses were certainly impeachable. His actions were down played in the media, and even by feminists like Gloria Steinem. The fact is that he used his office to take advantage of women who were hurting financially and then lied about it.
And he vetoed the partial birth abortion ban ... how sad.
On the other hand, he did a lot to wipe out the welfare state. Before Bill Clinton, Democrats were often seen as the 'make everyone dependent on the government' party, and Bill Clinton did a lot to change that ... although I think the Democrats are quickly returning to their old ways.
Was he contrite about his mistakes?
I have such a hard time answering that question. Perhaps the only certain person on that answer is Mr. Clinton himself. Yet there are some indications that he did mourn his mistakes ...
The man met privately on several occasions with Bill Hybels, a noted pastor at Willow Creek in Chicago. Hybels also invited him to a conference interview-a fact that many evangelicals objected to.
I can't help but wonder at his similarities to king David.
Certainly the man made mistakes, and to some extent he has owned up to them. The ethical life demands this of everyone who seeks to be real with others as well as themselves.
As a conservative I see a lot that I don't like about the man, and yet as Matthew Canonicus, I see so much good in him!
As a leader, his style often involved showing great kindness to people. He is often remembered (even by conservatives) for his unique ability to kill other people with kindness. I think that speaks well of him ... I have yet to learn such a style.
Yet ... his offenses were certainly impeachable. His actions were down played in the media, and even by feminists like Gloria Steinem. The fact is that he used his office to take advantage of women who were hurting financially and then lied about it.
And he vetoed the partial birth abortion ban ... how sad.
On the other hand, he did a lot to wipe out the welfare state. Before Bill Clinton, Democrats were often seen as the 'make everyone dependent on the government' party, and Bill Clinton did a lot to change that ... although I think the Democrats are quickly returning to their old ways.
Was he contrite about his mistakes?
I have such a hard time answering that question. Perhaps the only certain person on that answer is Mr. Clinton himself. Yet there are some indications that he did mourn his mistakes ...
The man met privately on several occasions with Bill Hybels, a noted pastor at Willow Creek in Chicago. Hybels also invited him to a conference interview-a fact that many evangelicals objected to.
I can't help but wonder at his similarities to king David.
Certainly the man made mistakes, and to some extent he has owned up to them. The ethical life demands this of everyone who seeks to be real with others as well as themselves.
posted by Matthew Canonicus at
1:27 AM
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