So, is anybody buying any of this "we didn't know" denial of the Clinton's regarding Hugh Rodham's cash-for-clemency deal (and others)? Anybody?
We have a new (albeit chronic) concept: implausible deniability.
The Chad Mitchell Trio had a refrain in a song (alright, so I'm dating myself) that went, "We didn't know it all. We didn't see a thing. You can't hold us to blame. What could we do? It was a terrible shame. But we can't bear the blame. Oh not us, what could we do?" I nominate that Chad Mitchell Trio ditty as the new anthem of the never-ending-scandal ridden-maggot gagging Clinton regime.
And it ain't over folks. Bet on it!
Even Bubba told us in a classic Scribean foreshadow that every one of his bad decisions he made while tired. You might think he could learn from his mistakes and at least take his own counsel. The Newsweek tableau is one of a driven lame duck desperately trying to squeeze every second remaining of the presidency and manufacture a pyramid for posterity.
The Pardongate saga started with the dubious pardon of fugitive Marc Rich. But that gem was merely a spark on the tinder. Congress and assorted prosecutors are attempting to determine if the flood of money that Denise Rich showered on Bill, Hill, the Clinton library and the DNC was 1) a mere gesture of her unbridled affection and respect for all things Bubba, and 2) her money?
In the wake of ubiquitous ponderings of "quid pro quo" a myriad is asking if Denise was throwing around her own money or was she merely a straw dog for her fugitive husband. Marc knows how to throw around money so as to realize a return on investment. Notwithstanding protestations to the contrary Israel's apparent affection for him exceeded his perceived philanthropy and was also linked to campaign contributions. Gee, that sounds familiar.
Then we found out about Hugh Rodham, brother of Sen. Hillary and brother-in-law to the commander-in-grief. This story extends the bounds of credulity beyond our solar system.
Hugh, who is a lawyer, was hired to expedite a pardon and commutation for a couple of clients. He was paid a $200k bonus for his success. Reportedly, he virtually lived in the White House in the last two weeks of our national disgrace. He frequently played golf with the president.
However, we are being told, and are supposed to believe, that he never discussed his clients business with either his sister or the president?
I don't think so!
But let's play devil's advocate and, for a brief moment of nausea, accept that. What did he do to earn a total of $400k on this clemency deal? Hugh Rodham was hired (like thousands of other lobbyists) for his access and influence. Are we to believe he did not use his access or influence in behalf of his clients?
Bruce Lindsey did know about the Hugh factor. However, despite Lindsey's job being to advise and protect the president we are led to believe Lindsey never told his boss. So this high-price, smart, whiz-bang lawyer played dumb? I don't think so. In at least two scenarios (depending on how venial you choose to believe these miscreants are) Lindsey had to have said something.
First, he probably (if he were doing his job) should have at least warned the president of the potential "appearance of impropriety." Secondly, if he had been enlisted as an advocate he probably might have told the president, "Hugh wants our help with these two."
The story apparently is in development and subject to change. Originally the president didn't know anything about his golf buddy brother-in-law's involvement. However, subsequently, we are told he knew about his involvement but not his fee arrangement. As John Stossel would say, "Give me a break!" Reflect on the story of the Scorpion and the Frog. Hugh is a scorpion. That's what he does, and has done, and will do. ...
Then we hear that Sen. Hillary, the wicked witch of the east, who these days is playing the role of aggrieved victim, is "heartbroken," "shocked," and "disappointed."
"I was very disappointed and saddened by this whole matter," Mrs. Clinton, told reporters at the U.S. Capitol. "It came as a surprise to me and it was very disturbing." She added (several times) that she was "heartbroken and shocked."
Please remember there are two Hillarys: the mean spirited, foul-mouthed, lamp-wielding terminator/intimidator; and then the cookie making, baseball cap-wearing "just folk" persona she drags out when she finds it necessary. And if ever there was time of necessity senator, this is it. But it's not playing in Peoria.
Still, the plot thickens: In addition to her brother's efforts, it has now been reported that "Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate campaign treasurer helped obtain last-minute pardons for two convicted felons from former President Clinton."
Get this, the treasurer, New York attorney William Cunningham III, is the law partner of longtime Clinton adviser Harold Ickes and said Ickes referred the two Arkansas men to him about a week before Clinton left office.
Talk about "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" and "Usual Suspects"! Eventually, if or when the dust finally settles, it may be easier to compile a list of those Clinton cronies not involved than those who were.
And let's not forget bad-boy brother Roger. In the frothy wake of those 140 pardons the Roger Clinton (the same one caught on surveillance video claiming he needed more cocaine because his brother -- that would be Bill -- had "a nose like a Hoover") name stood out like a lake of controlled substance on a mirror. The president wanted to take care of his half-brother, a sometime rock singer wannabe lobbyist who was convicted in 1985 on cocaine charges.
The normal procedure (routinely eschewed by all things Clinton) would have called for the FBI to conduct a criminal-background check on each candidate for pardon. But come on, Roger Clinton was no ordinary candidate. In fact, White House counsel Beth Nolan made an unusual request that the Roger Clinton check be handled at the top levels of the Reno-shackled Justice Department. That way, the FBI would be out of the loop and precluded from doing their job. "They wanted this done outside the ordinary course of business," according to one Justice official.
And the beat goes on. The New York Post has reported, "Manhattan U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White is looking to expand her criminal probe of Bill Clinton to determine if he granted clemency to four Rockland County men in a pardon-for-votes deal."
This latest Clinton scandal chapter is just cranking up folks. Somewhere (probably many "somewheres") someone is sitting behind a cluttered desk with either a yellow pad or computer list of 140 names. Each name is being checked with an eye toward links, money and the ubiquitous "quid pro quo."
Former President Jimmy Carter may have been the first elder statesman Democrat to articulate his revulsion at the abuse of power of Bubba, but you can damnbetcha he won't be the last.
I don't entirely agree with this concept, but these lines from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Troilus and Cressida" have been rattling around in my head: