Did he or didn't he? Ah, the cocaine question raises it's
dirty head and the debate goes on and on. Should he or shouldn't
he fessup if he did? I've given this matter a lot of thought and
I've come to the conclusion that George W.( Dubya) should shut
up.
Most Americans now believe that at some point in his wild and
crazy youth, Bush Jr. snorted a line or two. This is a simple
deduction considering the way he has responded to the media
hounds dogging him with this question. If he had never indulged
in the snowy substance, he would have immediately laughed the
question off with an , ``Are you serious?'' response.
Normally, I would have opted for honesty and would suggest that
Bush confess his past misdeeds and assert that he has reformed
and has led a model life for the past twenty or more years. This
in itself is a worthy accomplishment and the American public
would appreciate his candor and lack of hypocrisy. So why not
confess?
Because more than likely, this man will become the next
president. Presidents are a part of history. Perhaps he is
concerned that his legacy will be forever tarnished with his
admission as a drug user. What message does this send to our
youngsters. It's okay to snort coke if you're rich and privileged
enough to escape prosecution and one day you might become
president too! Perhaps he does not want to lie. Imagine that.
President Clinton has now denied ever using cocaine. I'm sure he
smiled when he said that because he knows that he can lie about
anything and the voters will buy it. He's been given permission
to say whatever he chooses because we all know he's an
accomplished prevaricator and apparently we don't care. His
reelection has proven this to be true.
Am I being unfair when I assert that Clinton is lying that he
never snorted coke? Absolutely not. There is more evidence that
the current occupant of the White House was a user than any that
has surfaced so far against Dubya.
There is an Arkansas State Police surveillance tape with Roger
Clinton saying, ``Got to get some for my brother; he's got a nose
like a vacuum cleaner.''
Then there is the grand jury testimony of Sharlene Wilson who was
sentenced in 1992 to 31 years for selling half an ounce of pot
and $100 worth of methamphetamine to an informant. She testified
that she sold cocaine to Bill Clinton during his first term as
governor and claims she was set up to eliminate her as a
political liability. Roger Clinton and Clinton friend Dan Lasater
received lighter sentences for more serious offenses.
Let's not forget Gennifer Flowers who recently told cable TV
audiences that Clinton frequently smoked grass with her and
offered to get her some coke.
Of course, this may be hearsay and circumstantial evidence but
it's all a part of the public record. No witnesses have surfaced
thus far with similar charges against Bush yet the media is
acting as if they have. Why?
Clinton is the true Teflon President. Nothing sticks to him. The
man with the runny red nose and a tendency towards reckless
behavior refuses to release medical records through two
presidential campaigns and the press gives him a pass. Apparently
it is no longer a necessity to assure that the finger on the
nuclear trigger button is steady.
Since George W and I are roughly the same age, and since he has
admitted that he did some things he was not proud of, I'm pretty
sure that he did indulge in illegal substance abuse. I am also
pretty certain that half of my generation did as well.
While I have never snorted coke, this does not make me a better
person than Dubya because I, too, have done things I am not proud
of in my youth. Not many in my generation could stand any
scrutiny into our pasts but most of us have changed our behavior
and tried to live decent upstanding lives.
I do not care what George W. Bush has done as a private citizen
but I am definitely concerned about his record as a publicly
elected official. Many have tried to claim that the right wing
has targeted Clinton over his personal life and now that
Republican Bush is running for president has changed its tune.
This has never been the case.
President Clinton's misdeeds have all occurred while serving in
public office. The public does have a right to know about the
character of those representing their interests.
Newt Gingrich has proven to be a hypocrite and I'm glad he left
public office. He's betrayed the party and those who placed their
faith in him. I have no problem acknowledging that he has feet of
clay. I don't know why Clinton supporters have such difficulty
admitting he has them as well.
Give me evidence about Bush that demonstrates he is not able to
govern wisely and honestly and I will pay attention. Show me his
public record and accomplishments and I'll make my judgment on
that not on any fratboy antics.
The next time the press asks Bush about the cocaine question, he
should look them in the eye, laugh and say, ``Are you serious?''
Because as long as Clinton gets a free ride by the media, it's
not a serious question at all.