Naomi over at Diary from England had a question about my reference to Dr. Andrew Weil in one of my replies. I mentioned that in one of his books, “8 Weeks to Optimum Health,” he suggested taking a news holiday where you turn off the television and get away from the woes of the world for a bit.
Had I listened to Dr. Weil’s advice, last night I wouldn’t have seen the clip that CBS Evening News showed of Bill Clinton taking Fox TV’s Chris Wallace to task or read Michael Grunwald's story, A Combative Clinton Defends Record on Fighting Terrorism, in the Washington Post this morning. My blood pressure rose ever as I watched that loaded finger of our former president punctuate his message with anger.
‘Fox News Sunday’ Interview transcript
WALLACE: Do you think you did enough, sir?
CLINTON: No, because I didn’t get him.
WALLACE: Right.
CLINTON: But at least I tried. That’s the difference in me and some, including all the right-wingers who are attacking me now. They ridiculed me for trying. They had eight months to try. They did not try. I tried.
So I tried and failed. When I failed, I left a comprehensive anti-terror strategy and the best guy in the country, Dick Clarke, who got demoted.
So you did Fox’s bidding on this show. You did your nice little conservative hit job on me. What I want to know is ...
WALLACE: Well, wait a minute, sir.
CLINTON: No, wait. No, no ...
WALLACE: I want to ask a question. You don’t think that’s a legitimate question?
CLINTON: It was a perfectly legitimate question, but I want to know how many people in the Bush administration you asked this question of.
I want to know how many people in the Bush administration you asked, “Why didn’t you do anything about the Cole?”
I want to know how many you asked, “Why did you fire Dick Clarke?”
I want to know how many people you asked ...
Finally, a Democrat was laying it on the line and telling it like it is. Finally, a Democrat with some balls. Well, everyone already knew President Bill had them.
6 comments:
Shiela, Good post. I too am glad a Democrat is at last answering the "Swift Boat" Rove tactics which define every issue for the Bush administration.
I hope Clinton's vigorous remarks are just the start of a rapid response to GOP spin.
I have grown so tired of being beatened down by the Republicans. I still believe in the promise our party offers. It's a philosophy and a way of looking at the world that sees possibilities rather than what's in it for me. We must speak out and find vigorous leaders who will say the unpopular as well as lead us with a higher vision of what can be.
I am hoping the Repubs will be surprised at how a little former presidential anger can be used to energize us.
Hi Sheila
Thanks for the mention. I had a look at Dr Weil's site. It was very interesting. Bill Clinton is very popular over here in England. Most people here (including myself) thought he was a good president. He always seemed like a nice man too.
Naomi,
I like to check in on Diary From England to see a bit about what strikes your fancy. We Americans tend to focus so much on ourselves and culture that we ignore what the rest of the world is up to. I guess anyone who reads my posts will have no doubt about my politics. I have never knowingly voted for a Republican but have refused to vote for a Democrat a couple of times. Our family was extremely pleased to see President Clinton's passion. My older son and husband had a chance to see Clinton once when he was running for president. Very impressed they were.
Great post, and nice blog. I always say that if president Clinton had been able to keep his pants on that he would have gone down in history as one of our greatest presidents, probably the greatest in peacetime.
Thank you Rick. I think if he'd been a leader in Europe, it wouldn't have been as big a deal as here.
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