Nathan Moore's Thoughts
Clinton’s Interview on Fox News Sunday
A disclaimer, of sorts. I’m a conservative Republican willing to move on from Bill Clinton. As you all may have guessed, I didn’t support him, thought he dropped the post-Cold War ball like it was on fire, and think he’s got a variety of personal problems, some of which enabled him to be president. But I’m willing to let bygones be bygones – the future is too important. The problem is that he keeps interjecting himself into the conversation.
Unfortunately, I missed the interview, forgetting that it was on this morning. Sarah saw it, and thought it, well – odd. As in, Bill Clinton unhinged. I intend to catch the replay on Fox News Channel this evening. In the meantime, Byron York of National Review has already weighed in. Either Clinton views Richard Clarke’s book as his administration’s savior, or he’s getting a cut of the royalties. Either way, he’s wrong
But Clarke’s book does not, in fact, support Clinton’s claim. Judging by Clarke’s sympathetic account — as well as by the sympathetic accounts of other former Clinton aides like Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon — it’s not quite accurate to say that Clinton tried to kill bin Laden. Rather, he tried to convince — as opposed to, say, order — U.S. military and intelligence agencies to kill bin Laden. And when, on a number of occasions, those agencies refused to act, Clinton, the commander-in-chief, gave up.
Clinton did not give up in the sense of an executive who gives an order and then moves on to other things, thinking the order is being carried out when in fact it is being ignored. Instead, Clinton knew at the time that his top military and intelligence officials were dragging their feet on going after bin Laden and al Qaeda. He gave up rather than use his authority to force them into action.
When it comes to the Clinton adminstration’s role in the War on Terror, former officials and the man himself spin at Tasmanian Devil-like speed. The Fox interview is this week’s epicenter of that spin, or else Clinton is accumulating political capital by taking on Wallace, perhaps for other pending family ventures. I’m not sure. From my wife’s and York’s accounts, it sounds like a show worth watching. i won’t miss it the second time.
September 25th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
I’m a conservative too, and I’m interested in the truth, no matter where the chips may fall. That means I have to do a lot more homework. It means being skeptical about anyone’s claim to truth and facts. Authors who always support the Democratic Party line are doubted. So are authors always on the Republican side. No one holds a patent on truth.
The best bull**** detectors I ever found came from Carl Sagan, in his book The Demon Haunted World, Science as a Candle In the Darkness. It should be required reading for every teenager.
As for the current issue under discussion, the best sources for information on anti-terror are those authors who have the most experience, and no political axe to grind. Someone who has worked in the White House, who was in a high position, and who is loyal to neither Democrats nor Republicans. The only person I know who fits that requirement is Richard Clark- appointed by Reagan, served under Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II as a top anti-terror expert. Read his book. If you’re still skeptical, read some others. I find that analysts and former CIA or employees, not politicians, tend to be somewhat more unbiased.
One thing for sure- the opinions of pundits, whether they are TV reporters, book authors, or columnists, is useful only to those who are not interested in the hard work of truthfinding.
September 25th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Bill will you shut up you dumb ass, you are going to blow it for me…(thinking…I should have left your dumb ass when you had your head so far up Monica’s !2!@#@@ that you could not see bin Laden if you fell over him!!)
September 26th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
I saw the Fox intervew with Clinton. The questions asked and the responses were both ligitamate. Not such a big deal as all other are making of it.
All others conservative/liberals, Democrats/republicans, pundits, and reporters alike act like freshman in high school. All numnuts.
September 27th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
I saw the Clinton interview – I’m not a big fan of Clinton but am far less a fan of the current donkey. Why ask Clinton – why didnt you do enough to catch Bin Lardin? FOX ask the current administration the same question? They sent an army in after giving him a 3 month head start. If the rumors are to be believed it’s ironical that a virus killed Bin Lardon. One can only hope that donkeys aren’t immune to the same virus.
September 27th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
I think Bush and the Republicans gets asked that question every time there’s an election. The difference, I suppose, is that Bin Laden was on a silver platter for Clinton and he didn’t have the vision to seize the opportunity.
September 28th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Murdock FOX controls 75% of the news (news = entertainment, its not really news it’s a product that generates sales) that is fed into the minds of everyday Americans. This daily indoctrination of your nation got BUSH and his cronies reelected. Democracy – for the people by the people – is a figment of the washed minds. Bush will not be reelected because his eight years is up, unfortunately the damage is done.
We the people all point the finger at the governments of the day; however we need to be looking at our selves. Our complacency has cost us and our world greatly; we have removed ourselves away from responsibility and accountability, we point at our leaders, we believe we have done our bit by spending 5 min in a polling booth ticking boxes once every term. This is not enough but we are led to believe we have done our bit. Who are you voting for where did you get the information that swayed your vote if 75% of the information is controlled by some one else, who is it that is deciding what is news worthy and ultimately deciding what boxes you will tick.
We are the drivers of our economies and our economies drive our governments and corporations if we don’t like what we have got do something more about it to change it. BUSH is not a president, a leader of the “free” world, but one that America needed, hopefully he awakens those finger pointers to do something more than tick boxes.
J Niels – “I’m interested in the truth, no matter where the chips may fall” To quote a famous line from a movie “You can’t handle the truth” and I’m using the “you” as the global you. We will never know the truth because the truth is far more damaging. So we are presented with a number of truths to free choose the truth that we are more comfortable with so we can go about our daily lives without too much to worry about. We really don’t like the bad news that can dynamically effect our day to day. Media and politicians know this. Spin and PR Companies know what makes you comfortable, so the information you receive is palatable.
Nathan – I like your blogg site great job, anything that gets people thinking and questioning mainstream views is fantastic. Mark S Melbourne Australia
September 29th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
I am so proud of President Clinton. I think more people should give the press a piece of their minds and put you guys on the defensive for a change. You are all a joke and I am sick to death of news reporters with one sided views. If you are going to report the news, report all of it, both sides, unbias and truthfully.
The truth is that this country is in a mess because of the idiots we have in the white house right now.
Unfortunately, I think Bush has done sooo much damage that America will probably not be restored in my life time. If Bush had gone after Bin Laden instead of trying to fight his father’s old enemy we would be better off. Instead his private war has caused our families a lot of death and heartache. I’d like to know where those demon daughters of his are. Since he is so about fighting his father’s battle, why don’t he send those brats over there.
Bush said he will let history judge him, but I am afraid he should not be worried about history but rather worried about how God will judge him. I think God would call him a WAR WHORE!
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August 10th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article s Interview on Fox News Sunday, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.