Clintons need reminder of conscience, honesty

The Boston Herald

February 25, 2001

It's a story in an old book, not even a story, just a thought for the day kind of thing, written half a century ago, but oh so appropriate for today. "A Needed Reminder" is the title and this is the tale: After the fall of Rome, when conquering generals returned to the city to celebrate their triumph, a slave was assigned to each of them. The sole function of this slave was to crouch in the victorious warrior's chariot and constantly remind the conqueror that the greatest human glory passes quickly. "Remember thou art mortal," the slave had to say over and over. "Thus were swelled heads and rash, prideful deeds averted by an art now all but lost," some unnamed historian said. Because these mighty victors were repeatedly reminded that everything is temporary, including their power, "they saved themselves much of the grief that usually engulfs successful people who lose a sense of perspective."

Swelled heads and prideful deeds. Do the names Bill and Hillary leap to mind? Even their most ardent supporters are openly disgusted with them now. "Remember, thou art mortal." And temporary.

What is it with powerful people that they think they can do anything and remain above the fray?

The Clintons have managed to slime their way out of a succession of nasty situations because they are the quintessential couple of the time - educated, charming and utterly immoral. He debased this nation but still held his head high. And she went along with him because she said she didn't know. And when she did know everything he had done, she still went along with him. Now it's her brother's $ 400,000 fee for work he did on pardons her husband granted, in one of his final acts as king of the United States, that Hillary says she didn't know about. "It came as a surprise to me and it was very disturbing and I'm just very disappointed about it," she told the press Thursday.

It's interesting, isn't it, that so smart a woman who knows so much about everything, who knows just how to get herself elected senator from a state she hardly ever stepped in, is clueless about so many things going on right under her nose. One wonders how different our culture and our personal lives would be if we had chanted at us every day, "Remember, thou art mortal" and "You have an obligation to be honest and fair," instead of the "go for it," "there aren't any rules," "you only live once," mantras that emanated from the White House and trickled down into all our houses for eight long years.

Conscience once acted like a slave crouched in a chariot. Our consciences guided us. Didn't most of us grow up hearing a little voice saying not just that we are here temporarily, not just that this is a testing ground for higher ground, but that as mortal beings, there are always consequences to our actions. "No." "You shouldn't." "Do you think that's right?" "Is this something your mother would be proud of?" "Would you like to see this on the front page of the newspaper?" Weren't these the words that conscience used to whisper?

So what happened to this voice? What has become of our national conscience? The most embarrassing acts, the most egregious crimes make headlines and who cares. It's "Isn't that terrible" one day, then shrugged off the next. Nothing seems to matter. Mike Tyson bites off Evander Holyfield's ear and he's still boxing. Marv Albert dresses up in women's underwear, sinks his teeth into a woman's back, gets arrested, gets fired from his job at NBC and then gets his job back! Hugh Grant gets caught literally with his pants down, but keeps right on smiling.

Just like our former national leader. Successful people lose a sense of perspective. They believe that they can do anything and get away with it. And the sad truth is they can. The former president and his wife, the senator, are but the latest examples of a nation without a conscience. We're in a twitter now about the most recent sins of the former first couple but give it a few weeks and we'll be on to something else.