"Rot" is defined as: to decompose, become putrid: to corrupt morally. Rot started when a wannabe southern gentleman (?) who fancied himself the reincarnation of Don Juan became president in 1992.
Congressional Democrats, sensing that opposition to the great he, as Monica dubbed him, was tantamount to resignation and, more importantly, loss of power, fell upon their swords to protect the one person solely responsible for the apathy, divisiveness, distrust, anger and frustration that are the prevailing attitudes today. All 45 Senate Democrats made it clear before the vote on impeachment that they would acquit Clinton, no matter what! In the House of Representatives 176 Democrats (83 percent), earlier voted overwhelmingly for no inquiry.
How can these members of Congress, Cabinet officers and the Washington power brokers explain to themselves and their constituents loyalty to a person who has manifested grotesque indifference for the dignity and integrity of the presidency and violated public trust with lies and evasions? They traded away their political courage, sacrificing spiritual values for material gains. Eight years of sex and lies is Clinton's legacy, a stain not easily removable in the history books.
These are the symptoms of a failed culture. This rot must be exorcised. If deep-seated rot is not removed, it continues to rot.
An aside: Recently, historians rated all 41 presidents on 10 qualities. Clinton was rated No. 21. Average? Average is the best of the worst and the worst of the best. On morals he was No. 41.
TED BABAIN, Lubbock
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