LETTERS

Clintons are different & exceptional

Posted 7/19/16

To the Editor: I take issue with the premise of Christopher Curran on his commentary of Hillary Clinton that she is essentially a liar and cannot be trusted. Ever since the Clintons entered the political scene when Bill Clinton became governor of

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LETTERS

Clintons are different & exceptional

Posted

To the Editor:

I take issue with the premise of Christopher Curran on his commentary of Hillary Clinton that she is essentially a liar and cannot be trusted. Ever since the Clintons entered the political scene when Bill Clinton became governor of Arkansas for six terms, they were not endeared to the conservative Republican establishment. They were an anathema to the traditional South, for they were a political team. Bill took on the establishment investing in industry, small business, agriculture, and appointed Hillary to spearhead an overhaul of the Arkansas educational system, which was assessed dead last in the nation. She received acclaim from the legislature and citizens for raising the standards, causing one legislator to exclaim, “I think we may have elected the wrong Clinton.”

However, not all Southerners embraced the Clintons. Bill was viewed as a man who betrayed his Southern heritage by embracing black causes and Hillary was viewed as a feminist who did not take on her husband’s last name (at first), still worked after giving birth to their daughter, did not wear the clothing of a first lady, wore coke bottle glasses, did not beautify herself, and did not shave her legs. All of which sounds quite petty and judgmental. But this was just the beginning.

Throughout Bill Clinton’s Presidency there were influential, well-known Republican and religious personalities who openly expressed contempt for the Clintons and “their ways.” The issues of “Cattlegate,” “Travelgate,” “Filegate” and let’s not forget “Whitewater” – all were fodder for the likes of Richard Mellon Scaife, a conservative religious Republican, now deceased. He was a billionaire who spent about $2 million sending operatives into Arkansas to “dig up” whatever information they could find and imply whatever insinuations they could to whoever would listen. It didn’t stop there, however, as this group of Republicans would meet weekly at the home or office of Ted Olson, an attorney, for the purpose of “getting Clinton.” And Hillary Clinton was not exempt. These trails of investigation and exoneration have plagued and haunted their political enemies, for they cannot accept they have not engaged in criminal behavior.

Hillary was not to blame for the infidelity of her husband and Hillary was not responsible for the failure to keep the outpost of Benghazi safe. If anyone listened to the 11 hours of testimony regarding Benghazi, one would know that the safety of the embassies around the world was not her responsibility. It was President Obama and General Petraeus who gave the go ahead for the rescue, not Hillary Clinton. And the Republicans cannot even accept the determination of Attorney General Comey, a staunch Republican, that although Hillary was careless and sloppy regarding her emails, she was not guilty of criminal intent. By the way, the State Department’s server was hacked, but Hillary’s private server was not as confirmed by Comey.

Hillary could never match the pathological lying of Donald Trump. He lies so often that when questioned, he refutes he ever said it or maintains he was taken out of context. Few journalists hold him accountable for his lying.

Following a person’s behavior for a quarter of a century is a daunting task. Every voter of this country should ask why. I maintain the purpose of following the Clintons for such a period of time is the mistaken belief that surely they must be guilty of some crime. They claim they are looking for justice, but it really is about their twisted sense of justice that is not to be found in our Constitution. The Clintons’ dilemma has always been that they are not traditional; they are different and exceptional.

Karen Gustafson

Warwick

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    Dear Karen,

    I have always liked Hillary. I have never been a huge fan but I have always liked her.

    When I learned she was facing an FBI investigation I decided she was not the presidential candidate for me but when she was cleared of ANY wrong-doing except a little carelessness about her e-mail use I became a believer once again. I don't know anyone, myself included, that hasn't been careless about their e-mails. As a matter of fact one time I...well maybe I won't tell you that story. Like I said, we all have been careless. Hilary will make a seasoned and extremely intelligent president. I'm looking forward to learning who her running mate will be. If he or she is at least a fair choice Hilary has my vote.

    Thanks for reminding me about her many accomplishments.

    Enjoy your Summer.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Once again, delusions are apparent in this letter and in the post. lets just all conveniently forget about all of the lies from Hillary. She was shot at on the tarmac, oops, "I must have mis spoke". Benghazi was the result of a video mocking Mohammed, in the next breath, she refuted her own statements. I only used one device to send e-mail, oh, I must have forgotten about the other devices and the hidden server. There were no classified emails, Director Comey " there were numerous classified emails".

    HRC is an unadulterated liar, has been a liar as an elected official, everywhere her foreign policy has touched is a mess, and the world has become much more unstable with her as the SOS. Just what we need now , a third term Obamite to finish off the country. You guys are delusional. Not withstanding the Clinton foundation, the money she takes from our enemies and from foreign states that repress woman's rights, and all the other scandals. Lets not forget how she and Bill robbed the White House of antiquities as they were walking out the door. But just stick with the party that puts the party before the people. Cant wait to see her choices for the US Supreme Court .

    Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear TheCaptain,

    You must be the smartest person on Earth. The FBI couldn't find any real wrongdoing other than her being "careless", something we all have done, except you, of course. They interrogated Hilary for three and a half hours but you, somehow, know more than the FBI!! You know how WRONG she was. How the FBI missed THAT is amazing!

    Hey Rob. Here's an idea. Since you are the smartest man on Earth, and since Hilary obviously needs so much of your help why don't you offer to be her running mate? Then you can, you know, be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

    Sound like a plan?

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Report this

  • davebarry109

    It is amazing how someone can rationalize a persons behavior based upon how they feel about them. Hillary is a proven liar. The FBI director said so if you listen to his testimony. He called her assertions to the contrary 'not true'. It wasn't just a case of 'carelessness'. He testified that she COULD be indicted but that traditionally, in cases of national security, such indictments look at the intent of the person ALTHOUGH the statute does not need/include intent. So, let me be clear...she committed a felony but the department chose not to indict her. HUGE difference. The bottom line is this Karen....why did she even have a private server? What was she hiding? She exposed state secrets TO SERVE HER PERSONAL DESIRE FOR SECRECY. I held a top secret clearance. Any private or sergeant in the military would have been discharge for what she did. Also, I had the displeasure of meeting her and working for her husbands administration. The are despicable people. I knew of the deeds pointed out by the book by a secret service officer back in the 90s. We all did. So, you should be honest with yourself. Hillary may be someone you like but you are glossing over her crimes like a parent of a criminal child who refuses to see Jane doing something wrong. As for Benghazi...she was the sec state. Anyone who is a leader Karen knows that when something that bad happens on your watch, you tender your resignation because YOUR organization failed those people and led to their deaths. You might not understand that based upon your role in life but leaders know she is a complete failure.

    Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Report this

  • davebarry109

    Mr. Corrente...your inability to see Hillary's email debacle as anything other than 'carelessness' disqualifies you for position of mayor. You clearly don't understand national security issues or you cannot see past your partisan nose. You sir will not get my vote nor those of my extended Warwick family.

    Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Report this

  • Stella

    Your right the Clintons are different, who gets to have a personal conversation with the US Attorney General at a time when their Wife of convenience is under FBI investigation. Who else can send tens of thousands of emails but isn't exactly sure how the whole thing works. I am sure all of you have a team of professionals to set up your personal server, I know I do. But they can't talk to the press or the press won't talk to them. It plays like Francis Underwood and his wife, win at all cost.

    Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Rick,

    Why you want to be condescending and attempt to make a benign conversation personal is very perplexing. However, having said that, and answering your comment about being the smartest person on Earth, I offer the following. I am not the smartest person on Earth and neither are you. I will however, at anytime debate you in public on any issue of current politics relative to this city for which you have decided to run for office of the mayor. I will clearly dominate your knowledge of local government and issues of civics with facts, numbers, procedures, and implementation of current law and ordinances. And my friend, do so at any time you choose, at any place you choose, and I will pay for the room rental and the appetizers. I would tread very carefully on broaching this subject matter if I were you as your capabilities of having the skills to manage a city can only be verified by complex open public debate, which to this date, you have not engaged in. Running for office is not a matter of blogging comments on a web site, it is about openly showing your knowledge and ability to manage complex issues of finance and municipal obligations. I haven't heard anything cognitive from you about any of these issues, nor have you taken the mic and expressed them. So, as I have asked the current mayor repeatedly, set the stage and the time, open the debate, and show me with fact and documentation where I have been wrong on ANY issue that I have spoken out about. The current mayor has yet to do that although he has been given numerous opportunities by the media, and I have a feeling that neither will you.

    Best of luck to you and Hillary.

    Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    Oh Rick,

    One other thing. If you paid attention to the questioning of FBI director Comey, you would have noted that the interview with Hillary was conducted at her home, with no stenographer and no recording of the interview. Furthermore, Comey was not part of the interview, he had subordinates conduct the interview. So if you really believe that Hillary has done no wrong, then I fear that you have gone way to the left.

    Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this

  • mattox360

    Mr. Corrente you had my vote until your ignorant party backing comments. You're walking around with blinders on if you can't see it for what it is. That sir disqualifies you for my vote. You can't run a city with that kind of attitude.

    Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this

  • mattox360

    With the "Hillary can do no wrong" attitude, you are part of the problem instead of part of the solution as you told TheCaptain.

    Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this

  • georgecarver

    The double standards and entitled reckless behaviors and attitudes are very disgusting to me. I cant believe what's going on with either party. Now, the DNC chief has stepped down due to her obvious and internationally recognized bias and lack of, at the minimum, professional ethics and just three hours later receives accolades from Hillary Clinton.

    What a mess she is and all those that she empowers. Its like the days of the mafia and no rule of law. Not worth fighting for.

    Tuesday, July 26, 2016 Report this