The Elfin Blog

This week, as I sit recovering from surgery for skin cancer on my leg (stay out of the sun), I have had ample opportunity to view the news broadcasts and listen to commentators discuss Bill Clinton’s last minute pardoning of Marc Rich. Everyone - Republicans, some Democrats, and certainly many folks in the middle - are all up in arms about the fact that the pardon appeared “questionable.” I have listened to calls for Clinton to testify before the House or the Senate. I have listened to people discuss whether or not the pardon could be overturned. I have listened to speculations galore that Clinton did this as a not so subtle thank you for all the campaign donations and support from Rich’s ex-wife, blah blah blah…

There is one point, however, that no one has mentioned. I am amazed and appalled that no one has mentioned it yet, although perhaps someone has. Perhaps I hobbled my way into the bathroom to poop, or to the kitchen to get some tea when someone mentioned it. I somehow doubt it, as I have spent basically all of my waking hours for the past four days in front of the damn TV, heavily favoring CNN or CSPAN. Perhaps, though, I did indeed miss someone mentioning this point. I almost hope I did miss it, because it is tremendously important. In any case here it is, a point that is hard to overlook. This is the point that I hope, should Clinton choose to speak further on the issue or even to testify, that he would bring up first and foremost. The point is simply, and I want to be clear here, that Bill Clinton, as President, HAD EVERY RIGHT TO PARDON ANYONE HE FUCKING CHOSE. I hope this isn’t too complex an idea for those still looking to smear the former President to grasp.

The fact is that Clinton only really needs to say that he pardoned Marc Rich, and his brother, and 138 other people because the mood struck him. He doesn’t need to say why. He even cleared these pardons with the Justice Department. Clinton already said there was no “quid pro quo” regarding the Rich matter. What more do the Clinton assassins want? I have a great idea. MOVE ON! The man isn’t President anymore, and he will never really hold a position of much importance anywhere ever again. Let it go. I’m not even a Clinton fan. I voted for Bush in ‘92 and Dole in ‘96. I think Clinton, on many levels, is a pathological liar. Here’s the thing though: He no longer matters. The Republicans are going to be truly sorry when the Democrats, who often prove to be more vicious and vengeful than other life forms, go after Georgey the way Clinton-haters went after Bill.

The long and the short of it this: We need to quit pissing away tax dollars on hearings and investigations and move on the business of this country. If people don’t like what Clinton did, change the Constitution with an amendment. Don’t try to curtail the powers of the Presidency by smearing a man who isn’t President anymore. It’s a waste of our time and money.