03 Apr 98: In the wake of Judge Wrights decision in throwing out the Paula Jones case, many Democrats including Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota are calling for Ken Starr's Whitewater investigation to be brought to a close. Overnight polls show that most Americans agree with Judge Wright's decision even though a majority also agree that some illicit behavior did go on in an Arkansas hotel room between the then Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton, and Paula Jones. Will investigations into Whitewater and witness tampering end without a trial? The real question in the matter of Bill Clinton's alleged activities boils down to one of principle, whether politics will over-ride the wheels of justice. The answer seems presently to rest in the hands of Ken Starr and an Arkansas grand jury.
02 Apr 98: U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright threw out the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton yesterday. She pointedly did NOT say that the alleged behavior never occurred. She, however, did say that even if it did occur that such behavior is not outrageous under Arkansas law and that Paula Jones' lawyers could not prove that she has suffered from denying the President sexual favors. Judge Wright evidently applied a very "strict" standard in determining what constitutes outrageousness. Most persons would call what the President was alleged to have done at least indecent exposure. The exposure of genitals before a person or persons not well known or who do not have a professional interest in that private area is normally considered to be aberrant behavior.
Although the Paula Jones case has been thrown out the president still faces the Whitewater investigation being conducted by Ken Starr.
01 Apr 98: Veterans groups are insisting that the federal government has encouraged smoking in the military by giving away cigarettes or subsidizing their sale. Tobacco related claims against the Federal Government amount to a $17 billion pay out over five years. The office of the VA is insisting that tobacco use by military members was purely voluntary - a choice made by individual soldiers. For once the federal government is correct. It has been general knowledge for years that cigarette smoking could cause cancer. Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions - not only in this case, but in the cases filed by the states against the tobacco companies.
31 Mar 98: Campaign finance reform went down to defeat in the House of Representatives yesterday. The bill proposed would have curtailed union political activity and banned large "soft money" donations to political parties. It would have given individuals the right to donate more money to candidates. The bill had a "poison pill" for most of the different factions in the house. Democrats accused Republican leaders of crafting a bill designed to fail. Three smaller bills also came to a vote before the house. A prohibition on contributions from non-citizens passed as did a rule that would require faster disclosure of contributions. However, a measure that would require unions to obtain written consent from individual members before spending dues on political activities failed. The best reform would end all restrictions on campaign contributions and require full disclosure of those contributions. This would allow the people to retain their right of free speech through the expenditure of their own money in support of their favorite candidate and, by full disclosure, ensure that candidates remained scrupulous about the source of contributions.
30 Mar 98: A new charge has been levied against the President of the United States. William Jefferson Clinton has been accused of raping Juanita Broaddrick. Allegations state that 20 years ago while he was attorney general of Arkansas at the Camelot Hotel, on the pretext of working with her on an official matter, he entered her room and forced himself upon her. First he allegedly pawed her, then ripped off her clothes and bit her lip. An emergency room nurse verifies that she did treat Mrs. Broaddrick's lip. The charge is that he forced himself upon her until she succumbed. This charge goes beyond mere sexual harassment and goes to the extreme of rape. If these charges are substantiated, then the president should resign.
The US Supreme court today will hear arguments in a case to determine whether persons with AIDS are covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act. The language of the act states that it protects people with "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities." Employers are required to accommodate such persons by making "reasonable accommodations". The Americans With Disabilities Act already imposes burdens on small businesses and individuals that might be deemed unreasonable or even an infringement of their rights to property and action. To extend this act's "protections" further to persons with no outward signs of disability (as is the case in the specific suit before the court) seems an extreme measure. Let's trust individuals to regulate their own relationships with others and we will likely have a much better world. Employers and businesses were making accommodations for people with disabilities long before Congress passed a law mandating it, defining it, and restricting it. When it is practical for society to move in an appropriate direction it will do so more efficiently, intelligently and humanely without the prodding of government.
