A couple of days ago I posted
this diary about my letter to the San Francisco Chronicle concerning Senator Feinstein's 1999 resolution of censure of Bill Clinton. In my letter I noted the contrast between the "crimes" of Bill Clinton that she deemed worth of censure and her apparent unwillingness to hold George W. Bush to account for far more serious offenses.
I'm not done yet. More on the flip.
Today I called Senator Feinsten's office and I read to the staffer the list of Bill Clinton's "offenses" and asked how the senator could hold a member of her own party to such a high standard of conduct, while ignoring far more serious offenses by the sitting president.
Here's the money paraphrase: "We've been hearing that a lot."
If you are a California voter, please call Senator Feinstein's office and make the same point, i.e. that she seems to have far different standards of what is worthy of censure depending on who is in the Oval Office.
I am supplying a copy of the 1999 resolution for reference. Senator Feinstein's Washington office is 202-234-3841. Her San Francisco office is 415-393-0707. Call multiple times, from different phones. Here is the text of her resolution:
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United States, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate employee in the White House, which was shameful, reckless and indefensible;
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United States, deliberately misled and deceived the American people, and people in all branches of the United States government;
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United States, gave false or misleading testimony and his actions have had the effect of impeding discovery of evidence in judicial proceedings;
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton's conduct in this matter is unacceptable for a president of the United States, does demean the office of the president as well as the president himself, and creates disrespect for laws of the land;
Whereas President Clinton fully deserves censure for engaging in such behavior;
Whereas future generations of Americans must know that such behavior is not only unacceptable but also bears grave consequences, including loss of integrity, trust and respect;
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton remains subject to criminal actions in a court of law like any other citizen;
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton's conduct in this matter has brought shame and dishonor to himself and to the office of the president; and
Whereas William Jefferson Clinton through his conduct in this matter has violated the trust of the American people;
Now therefore be it resolved that:
The United States Senate does hereby censure William Jefferson Clinton, president of the United States, and does condemn his wrongful conduct in the strongest terms; and
Now be it further resolved that:
The United States Senate recognizes the historic gravity of this bipartisan resolution, and trusts and urges that future congresses will recognize the importance of allowing this bipartisan statement of censure and condemnation to remain intact for all time; and
Be it further resolved that:
The Senate now move on to other matters of significance to our people, to reconcile differences between and within the branches of government, and to work together -- across party lines -- for the benefit of the American people.