We are, of course, amazed that our readers occasionally disagree with our brilliant and witty essays. In fact, sometimes quite a few readers think that The Outrage editors are wrong, misanthropic, idiotic, selfish, deluded, or all of the above.

Mother Outrage always told us that even the dull and the ignorant should have their say, so we've allowed space below for those dissenting opinions (and for shameless flattery).

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fluckoff u stupid son of a .matt how could you say that i commited purgery . you should fluckoff and die

i think that #7 is the best coment on this page. i am a 15 year old boy doing a report on bill clinton and how he comitted purgery

i did not find any thing about Bill Clintons trial

Hi. Maybe you adults think that us children are incapable of making decisions. But i have something to say about this all. I HATE WAR!!!!! WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME IN A DECADE THAT WE DIDNT HAVE ATLEAST SOMETHING THAT DISTURBED MY HOPES FOR WORLD PEACE? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE DECIDED TO HOLD A GRUDGE OR JUST BE GREEDY AND USES VIOLENCE TO GET BACK AT THE "OFFENDER"? anyway, even as children who are no more than 11 to 13 years old, my whole class- i can proudly say- wants there to be peace. i hope President Bush, or anyone else out there in the world, if ur thinking of killing some people out there because of some grudge or just because your plain greedy, please! Think before you act! Dont we all want this to be a better world?!

Look, as a teenager it should effect me the most cause we are suppose to respect our elders and especially the president. I dont think he did anything wrong, other then not doing it sneaky enough. He is human too, just because he is the president doesnt mean he can not have affairs, don't get me wrong i wouldn't do it, but he is only human. If you sat back and thought of all the people right now that are having affairs, your boss, your banker, your accountant, would you get mad at them. if you do, you need to grow up, and not judge people. Sure he is the president, and he has a big job, but as long as he does that why are you worrying, he had the lowest un-employment rate in years, he had low welfare rates, medicare and taxes, and did great things for this economy, and you are all angry cause he got head, or better yet that he got head from not his wife but a mistress, and in the oval office. My motto is DO YOU, or do who ever you want to: president, CEo, or Staff sargent in the marines so be it. Hollar at 'em

Clinton should be kicked out of power by inpeachment, he's a lying a**, if he was a real man he would step down and ament his lies to the world. Who cares if he had sex he flat out lied about the thing under oath. If it was me or anyone else we would be put in jail for perjury. Kick him out!

Too much is too much: every time Clinton faces an internal problem he starts sending the boys to bomb somewhere in the vast world: does he believe the world is his propriety, is he the boss of the planet? We European remember the mistakes our ancesters made during the cruisade or the colonial period: we have learned to respect other cultures, other way of thinking; sometimes I feel the States president ignores all the world suffering (mainly in Irak, in Cuba, even in Congo), all those sufferings are the result of a blind foreign politic.

Of course, the dog wagged his tail, and started the war to cover his sorry butt and try to "look" presidential. He manipulated the inspections so they would be going to somewhere to provoke Sadam. pharmacutical factory we bombed... which HAD to be bombed right then because of the "terrorists" (who weren't there). There is NO limit to what Clinton will do. It is frightening and all the more reason to kick his sorry self out!

He did although the Pentagon did screw things up a bit. Defense Secretary Cohen thought Slick said, "Bomb the hell out of the Republican Guard strongholds." The word "Guard" was not in those orders.

First the President can't maintain a group of troups in the gulf w after 90 days without congressional approval. So he can't indefinitely put them harms way.

Second, I think that the reason the american public doesn't care about this is because it is fairly unimportant. If Clinton did abuse power or abstruct justice nobody has testified to that effect. All the senate has is a president who forgot when his intern gave him oral sex. Personally, as a member of a the american public, (and not a huge Clinton fan) I would never vote for a Republican again after this. I think that all things being the President has conducted himself as well as can be expected with the press going after him the way they are.

Last I would like to believe that the bombing has more to do with national security than it does with stalling a vote.

Yes, I'm outraged. What's more outrageous is that I don't know anyone, at work, or personally who isn't outraged. Yet, the media keeps reporting results from these "polls" that say most people feel otherwise. What a fabrication. What is more outrageous is that Clinton has the media in his pocket and pushes all their buttons. They say what he wants them to say. I believe he thinks that he can convince the American public to approve of him if that's what they see on TV. I only hope that there are more individual thinkers out there. I hope most people aren't thinking, "well, the majority think he's still doing a good job, they must know something I don't. Maybe he's doing a good job."

Livingston at least walked away with his dignity and self respect still in tact. But dignity and self respect are two characteristics that Clinton and Hillary are obviously lacking. I think Outrage should have it's own poll. Clinton has abused his office too many times and should be forced out. I believe he used action against Iraq as a mechanism to change focus. Comparing him to Hitler is unfortunately appropriate.

Yes, I'm outraged. What's more outrageous is that I don't know anyone, at work, or personally who isn't outraged. Yet, the media keeps reporting results from these "polls" that say most people feel otherwise. What a fabrication. What is more outrageous is that Clinton has the media in his pocket and pushes all their buttons. They say what he wants them to say. I believe he thinks that he can convince the American public to approve of him if that's what they see on TV. I only hope that there are more individual thinkers out there. I hope most people aren't thinking, "well, the majority think he's still doing a good job, they must know something I don't. Maybe he's doing a good job."

Livingston at least walked away with his dignity and self respect still in tact. But dignity and self respect are two characteristics that Clinton and Hillary are obviously lacking. I think Outrage should have it's own poll. Clinton has abused his office too many times and should be forced out. I believe he used action against Iraq as a mechanism to change focus. Comparing him to Hitler is unfortunately appropriate.

I DO NOT beleive that Bill did all this because of the impeachment. Iraq has always been a problem. I voted for Bill twice and I would again. Please remember that he is a human too. We ALL make mistakes. He is not perfect. Is anyone? Who here has not lied? He is NOT the first man to have an affair. We should stay out of his personal life.

FROM A PAPER THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE INFALLIBLE------- CLINTON HAS A SON NAMED DANNY WILLIAMS THAT WAS CONCEIVED OF A BLACK PROSTITUTE,A 21 YEAR OLD BOBBIE ANN WILLIAMS, IN1983. CLINTON PAYED WMS AND 2 OTHER PROSTIUTES $400 FOR A SEX ORGY WHEN DANNY WAS CONCEIVED. HE LIKED IT SO WELL THAT HE PAYED EACH OF THEM A $50 BONUS. THE ORGY WAS HELD AT HIS MOTHERS HOUSE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM LITTLE ROCK OUT ON JOHN BARROW RD.THE THREE STREET WALKERS AND THE GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS WERE DRIVEN IN A STATE LIMOUSINE, APPARENTLY BY STATE TROOPER BUDDY YOUNG WHO WAITED UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER, THEN DROVE THEM BACK TO TOWN.

Is the question rhetorical? Clinton has/will try anything he can to weasle his way out of the nest he's crapped in.

Making war has always made those in power look very presidential to a great (majority?) of Americans. Bush also needed a war. His own ambassador to Iraq admitted on the tube that Saddam was told that the administration considered the dispute with Kuwait an Arab affair. Saddam believed he was given the green light to make war. Frankly I am more outraged by the passing and signing of a bill to allow the drug companies to bypass FDA testing. But, alas, we were all watching the circus while this was quitely done with little note by the "free press". I suppose next Social security will be turned over to the investment bankers and brokerage houses. ...very quitely.

The Arkansas Hillbilly Scumb ag has reached a new low in his pathetic attempt to remain in power.

While before I was leaning towards impeachment but no removal from office, even if convicted by the senate (which doesn't look likely), this little stunt is absolutely the last straw! A fifth article of impeachment, TREASON, should be drawn up, with an immediate trial in the senate upon approval ! Clinton must GO if we are to preserve this country and the principles upon which it was founded.

Until now I havent been more than just a little disgusted but then some "Democrat " had to break into my computer and change something because I made a comment on the Free Republic Forum. Now I am outraged, do we still have the free America we are suposed to ahve or do just Dumbocrafts have the American freedoms? If we disagree with the whoremaster in the white house and the queers in the congress are we to be denied the right of free speach?

While the benfit of the doubt should be extended in this instance, the absolute questionable timing and the President's previous track record for deliberate distractions can only lead an intelligent observer to be highly suspicious of his motives. Did he do it to delay the proceedings? Yes, yes; Hell, YES!!!

I can't put into words the loathing that I feel for the Clinton, his bitch, and the Clintonoids. I don't think we'll ever know how much our country has been hurt by this throw-back. As far as I am concerned every Democrat that has stood with him and carried his water should be run out of town. anet Reno should be the next to go. Once she is out of the way along with all of the Federal Prosecutors that the Klintonistas brought in with him, then we get the great socialist Albert Gore, man am I dreaming or what. Talk ablut new brooms sweeping clean, we could really clean house.

THEY DON'T CALL HIM "SLICK WILLIE" FOR NOTHING!!!!!

History is a great instructor. The comparisons between Nazi Germany and the U.S. today for example. The Weimar Republic was in place when Hitler began his career. He promised the people a good economy..they bought into..he began a war machine that provided employment..he had a scapegoat that was the Jewish population of Germany.. oh yes he controlled the media.. Clinton controls the media ...doesn't bother to ask Congress to act on matters of bombing...has good economic times which is way the people are complacent and oh yes in addition to controlling the media he too has a scapegoat called the "Radical Right" another name for Christians..The other eveniing when I watched the news with my husband Betty Freiden had the audacity to say it was the dirty old men of the radical right that were the problem with impeachment...my husband asked me who was getting his jollies in the oval office while she was calling him a dirty old man. This is a little bizzarre to say the least. Now for the final point if congress does nothing then what is to prevent Mr. Clinton from sending them packing in 2000 while he establishes by executive order a national emergency and takes over. Congress needs to think about this. After all breaking one law with no recourse not only sets a bad precedent but also makes breaking other laws easier. Remember with no law comes anarchy and waiting in the wings is tyranny. Will Americans sell their souls for a bowl of pottage/good economic times? If so we a not only a lost generation but also possibly the last generation to know freedom that was fought for by braver men than Mr. Cinton ever was or will be..Slick yes...Brave never....thank you

How can there be any doubt that this president, being nearly completely surrounded by Jews, is really doing their bidding by authorizing military action against the enemy of the Jews? Who benefits from the latest attack on Iraq? How is it that a people of a certain race who comprise about 2% of the population has gravitated to disproportionate positions of power in this government? Do their interests REALLY comport with those of grass roots America? Is it not time we realize which tail is wagging which dog?

Just a few things to say about this wag-the-dog "message" that billy is sending to Iraq. 1) You don't send "messages" with Tomahawk cruise missles. You send them with Christmas cards or E-mail. An ALCM is the ultimate letter bomb. Say.... isn't the unibomber in federal custody? Maybe billy can call Marion Ill. for some tips. 2) The lives of American service men and women have NEVER been of the slightest concern to Slick Willy. He proved that as far back as the late 60's when he went to Oxford insted of the University of Saigon for his post-graduate studies. That he should become a patriot now stresses credulity to the breaking point. 3) If Ramadan is so Godawful important to our Muslim allies and friends what about the Christmas season to our own people? Last time I checked US citizens made up the armed forces and has not the rallying cry in US military history for 221 years been, "home for Christmas"? 4) Lastly, to the same morons who think that this attack is any thing other than a rather lame attempt to divert attention from the impeachment hearing. You are probably the same idiots that voted this scumbag into office in the first place!!!!!

This operation should be called "Free Willy" instead of Desert Fox. an operation named after a Nazi General (Rommell) in WWII. But Billery is probably part nazi and is an admitted Marxist. Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas said on the radio yesterday that Clinton knew and gave orders last Sunday before he left Israel that he was going to attack the day before the vote in congress, which he knew about, but did not know what the Security Council would say for another 48 hours. I think this is proof of the "Wag the Dog" theory. Many congressmen are saying the same thing. This is just "too" convienent for Bill.

What is the Military Objective? To reduce Saddam's ability to make war!

That's NOT a military objective.

We also do not have enough support men, materials and machinery there to do an effective job.

I think that everyone needs to calm down about it yea so what it happensd to be day before votes but it would of happend sooner or later be happy we have a smart president, I personally think he sucks more than what he says be we all need to let him be cause he is our presidents and do we really want Al gore running our country instead of hilary?

This draft dodging fool would rather kill US troops vs. doing the honorable thing and resign from his office. This does not surprize me in the least, the true sadness is that some Americans believe this is not Wag the Dog. Bull dung -- He needs to go, NOW!

The Impeachment hearings and vote should have gone forwarod, on schedule without any delay whatsoever. This would not give Clinton the opportunity to extend this Military Action for his own political purposes.

If the majority of Americans feel that the President did not do anything wrong, then the majority of American are idiots. I voted for Clinton in 92, but then I didn't vote in 96. I can't believe I was so stupid in 92. Clinton is the most consumate politician in our era. That should be read as consumate liar. Bill Clinton will do anything to get votes. For example, Bill shot numerous Tomahawk missiles at a pharmaceutical factory in the Sudan. Our own allies, GREAT BRITAIN, has said that there was nothing even similar to chemical weapons at this factory. Clinton ordered this attack because he wanted to divert attention away from his August 17 confession to America of inappropriate relations. Now, he orders an attack on Iraq the day before Impeachment begins. Give me a break. The man will kill to stay in power; however, a simple message to the Republican idiots in Congress. American troops are going into harms way. Impeachment can be postponed. No matter what Clinton's motives truly are, Iraq deserves what its getting.

Hell yes he bombed Iraq to delay the impeachement vote and disrupt the proceedings. But dont forget one thing people the same liberal congressmen and women who want to stop the vote while our honorable servicemen are fighting. They are the same ones who did thier damndest to not even fund the Gulf War and fought every step of the way against it. Now they act like hawks and talk of the hipocracy of the other side.

I think that is exactly what the little weasel is up to. I said so to a college student of mine last night and she could not believe that the president would do that! She said it was the Republican's fault--they looked at the deadline that had been given to Saddam and scheduled the vote knowing full well he would not comply! If you're under the trance, you will believe anything!

Clinton is not the only manipulator in our government, nor shall he be the first or the last. Politics breeds manipulation. Therefore, the game goes both ways. As far as the impeachment of Clinton for his infidelity, it's ridiculous, it's time and money wasted and it's a nonimpeachable offence. He who has not lied can judge. Is there anyone out there? The outrage lies in the fact that the American people are so easily swayed by those who have personal agenda's to further their political careers.

what uncle billy should have been impeached for in the order of priority (1) selling the white house to the people's liberation army(prc) (2) stealing fbi files even though the fbi has no business having files (3) perjury in white water gate (4) illegal use of material in fbi files (5) perjury in paula jones gate (6) perjury in monica gate (7) prosecution of undeclared war in desert fox (8) issuance of unlawfull executive directives which have expanded the extant covert fascist government of the united states(federals)

This isn't about Clinton or the Democrats, it's about us - it's a moral dividing line drawn in the sand, to separate the few of us who still care about basic right-&-wrong, from the Playboy-reading generation who elected, then re-elected Bill Clinton BECAUSE of his affair with Jennifer Flowers (v. 60 Minutes' "Stand By My Man" interview - Clinton was 2nd in the Democratic running before Hillary put on a southern accent and the country winked. Polls showed him #1 after the interview.)

It should be also pointed out that the press was informed IN ADVANCE OF THE ATTACK that the attack would take place so CNN could get better footage of the attack.

Helping a military opponent by giving aid in time of conflict is treason.

Information that an attack is coming is aid and puts the lives of US military personnel at greater risk. The CNN news crew should be accused of treason unless they "give up" the traitor who told them of the attack. I bet the investigation would go right up the ladder.

That is an absolutely dumb statement. Did England co-operate in this plot? Did Australia? Did the UN? Did all the Cabinet members and Armed Services officals?? Get real.

I'm outraged at your outrage!! Several prominent republicans showed their true colors yesterday when they publicly denounced the bombing of Iraq as politically motivated by clinton. At a time when bi-partisan support is of the greatest importance, Dan Burton, Trent Lott, Dick Armey and Gerald Solomon (to name a few) are whining about the timing of the invasion. But what else is new, they are the same guys whining that clinton hasn't been strong enough in dealing with Sadaam to date. These guys are very good at putting the president in damned if you do and damned if you don't situations. This way they can get all the TV coverage they desire while whining, without actually doing anything constructive for the country. The impeachment vote on clinton is going to happen, whether today or next week! Future Speaker Livingston had an interesting comment regarding the timing of the bombing of Iraq, he said, "it should be left to the best judgement of the american people to decide if the raids are politically motivated". But when it comes to impeachment, the best judgement of the american people means nothing! Talk about rule of law.........can you say treason.

while I do believe that he should be removed from office I do think that converting that country to a very large parking lot would be most benificial to all involved ! yes he should be removed and yes this is a good move give the idiot a break for once!!

I think political rhetoric in this country ought to rise above the level of children. Your charges agaist Clinton ignore the fact that for the most part, what we see as a "presidential decision" is really the end point of a number of pressure groups, constituencies, etc. pushing their agendas. What is ignore here is that in an environment of a possible presidential coup coming from the radical right, Clinton can act on his conscious without regard for the impact of his decisions on his enemies. What we need to do is to stop focusing on individual character and look at the real target of the coup: the federal government.

I agree with your editorial as to why Clinton started the bombing of Irag. I get a kick out of the polls the democrats want to use in saying the presdient shouldn't be impeached. Thy polls also tell that the American people want partial birth abortion stopped, and they want pray in the public shcools but the democrats in congress support Clinton veto of these items that the American people want. Suddenly polls are the determining factor in the fate of a law breaking President.

I think it is an outrage that this war was started to avoid impeachment. I think Bill knew it was so outragous that it would be believed that it was "coincidental" that the bombing started on the eve of the impeachment vote. Furthermore, in my opinion, I am outraged that my tax money was paying for his time to have "SEX" with people during working hours! My employer isn't going to pay me to do that. Also, how does he have time to make decisions that potentially affect the world when he is using the energy it must take to have an adulterous affair(s)?

Heather, you witless moron, Clinton isn't being impeached because of the sex, he's being impeached because of perjury and obstruction of justice. Whether Monica Lewinsky was complicit or not is irrelevant. Clinton lied under oath. A felony. It wasn't so long ago that a powerful man having sex with a subordinate was the textbook example of sexual harrasment. You don't hear that term used much anymore, now that the feminist's boy is doing it. Once again the left has been exposed as the phony and hypocrital group that they are.

The one thing that irritates me about this whole ordeal is that Monica is not totally innocent herself. Everyone sees her as the victim in this situation, she's not. She could have stopped him. I'm not saying the president of the United States of America should have sexual affairs with every intern, but it's not like he raped her. One thing that i heard a long time ago and I believe is true for this situation is "you can't rape the willing" America needs to get over this and move on. Maybe he will be impeached, maybe he won't. Either way we as a country will look like complete morons, we can't win, so get over it!!!!

Billy Bob Klinton, the FDR wannabe, is showing the world that he is THE IMPERIAL PRESIDENT. He will do anything to maintain power. What is sad, but expected is that the statist Republicrats are getting boners over a good bombing. The problem is clear: Governments are force and force equals terrorism. According to congress's own definitions, the US government is the worlds largest terrorist organization.

When President Bush launched Desert Storm, he had the approval of the United Nations and the support of most civilized nations in the world.Grudgingly, he went to Congress to authorize the massive strike. He got it, but with a majority of Democrats opposing the move. This week, Bill Clinton ordered an attack on Iraq with the only real support coming from his friends in the United Kingdom. The U.N. specifically did not request nor approve of the action in advance. Clinton did not even bother asking Congress for authorization. Yet, many of the very same voices that opposed Bush's Desert Storm have endorsed Clinton's Desert Fox. How can this be? The answer is quite simple. This is a political war -- designed, programmed, and executed to enhance the standing of a beleaguered chief executive cornered in scandal. Defending this scoundrel -- even while risking the lives of courageous and patriotic U.S. troops and innocent Iraqi civilians -- is the first priority of the Clinton supporters in media and the Democrat party. .

Wag the dog! It is so obvious that this is just another attempt by Slick Willie to save his sorry ass from impeachment. We have been playing with Iraq for years. The ostensible reason is because he has been building and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. Where is the evidence? Despite numerous inspectors, constant overflights, and our highly touted intelligence sources, I have yet to see any proof. If Burkina Faso, Mali or the Central African Republic were producing weapons of mass destruction, I doubt we would hear anything about it. They have oil in Iraq. We want it. It's that simple.

Well, Ron Hall, idiots are easily outraged,as you have clearly shown.

Does anybody seriously think the secretry of defense, Chief of staff and Prime minister of England would condone bombing Irac just to help protect Clinton or delay impeachment proceedings? I am outraged at the lengths anti Clinton fanatics will go to unseat a popular president elected by the people and still enjoying the peoples confidence to run our country.

The timing of this military action confirms in my mind that Bill Clinton is a sociopath. He cares for no one but himself and his hold on power. If he thought that pimping his wife and daughter on Penn. Ave. would further his ambitions, he would. This cancerous political growth must be excised from the peoples' White House. Further, it would show our foes that our country is strong enough to throw out our trash and still kick ass militarily when needed. By the way, Tony Blair is just another pea from the same pod. I am neither Republican nor Democrat, I am a Libertarian that is yet to join the party. Long live the Republic, Death to the New World Order!

n November 1997, Saddam Hussein kicked U.N. arms inspectors out of Iraq. For 13 months since then, Bill Clinton has watched and dithered, threatened and flinched, while Saddam set about reconstituting his weapons of mass destruction. Then, after 400 days of inaction, hours before the House of Representatives was to impeach him, Clinton decided that this was the day to take America to war.

This is all a coincidence, of course. Saddam's weapons program is a "clear and present danger," explained the president in his address Wednesday night.

But it has been a clear and present danger for 400 days. Scott Ritter, the former U.N. inspector, told us this summer that for months Saddam has been reconstituting his weapons, thanks in part to "interference and manipulation" of the inspection team by a Clinton administration eager to placate Saddam. Now all of a sudden, placating is out and the danger is present.

In November ('97) and February and August and October, Saddam gave clear provocation -- expelling or shutting down the inspectors -- and Clinton did nothing. Six weeks ago, Saddam's termination of the inspections was so blatant that for once we had China, France, Russia and key Arab states supporting us. Yet Clinton sat.

What pushed him over the edge this time? A report. Clinton said that after reviewing U.N. chief inspector Richard Butler's report on Iraqi noncompliance, he had to act.

But there was nothing in the report he did not already know. Among the report's documented violations, Clinton told the nation, was that "prior to the inspection of [one] site, Iraq actually emptied out the building." Shocked -- shocked! -- to find cheating going on, Clinton took America to war.

Immediately. Impeachment eve. Couldn't wait another minute, said Clinton. Why? Ramadan. "For us to initiate military action during Ramadan would be profoundly offensive to the Muslims in the world."

This will come as a surprise to the Muslim world, which unanimously supported the surprise attack initiated by two of their own (Egypt and Syria) in October 1973 -- during Ramadan. In fact, the Arabs call it not the Yom Kippur War, but Harb Ramadan -- the Ramadan War.

This will come as a surprise to Iraqis and Iranians too, who savaged each other on the battlefield during the eight Ramadans of the Iran-Iraq war.

Moreover, if Ramadan is such a sensitive issue, does that mean there can be no continuing the Iraq campaign past Saturday? Is Clinton giving Saddam 30 days' sanctuary? If so, this is militarily crazy. If not, it is logically crazy: Starting to kill Muslims on Ramadan is bad, but merely continuing do so is just fine?

Still skeptical of my motives? asks Clinton. Well, if you don't believe me, believe my advisers. I did this, he said, "on the unanimous recommendation of my national security team." He then proceeded, pathetically, to enumerate every single one of them -- "the vice president, secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," etc., etc. The commander in chief and leader of the free world has fallen so low that he needs to draw authority from those under him.

It was reminiscent of Clinton's other Iraq speech, at the Pentagon in February, in which he was oddly and lavishly introduced by one underling after another (Gore topping them off) as if admitting that, had he come on stage alone, he would have lacked any authority to speak to Americans about war and sacrifice.

Still skeptical? "Finally," said Clinton, "our allies, including Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain, concur that now was the time" to strike.

Allies? What allies? The only ally we have is Blair. And Blair, Clinton friend and junior partner of this alliance, was hardly going to contradict big brother.

Clinton's final proof of bona fides was offered the next day, however. Asked if the timing was meant as a diversionary tactic against impeachment, he replied, "I don't believe any serious person would believe any president would do such a thing."

Any president. But what about this president? Here is Clinton drawing authority and trust from Americans' faith in the office itself, in the sense of duty and honesty one associates with it -- but not with Clinton. That is what this wreckage of a presidency is reduced to: a man of no credibility desperately trying to borrow some from subordinates, foreign friends and predecessors long past.

But borrowed authority is bankrupt authority. It is no authority at all. And Bill Clinton has no authority because this is a man no more able to distinguish self-interest from national interest than he can truth from falsity. Former secretary of state Lawrence Eagleburger was being charitable when he said that the timing of this attack "smells to high heaven."