MANILA, Philippines – (Editor’s note: For years, congressional investigators have unearthed all kinds of scams that are easily forgotten, as noted by the author.)

IN his speech before an audience of professionals in Los Angeles in 1999, Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr blamed himself for unduly emphasizing on a White House female intern Monica Lewinsky in the impeachment case against Bill Clinton.

Wrong figures

It was undoubtedly a sensational issue in national politics. The Republicans mistakenly believed 67 senators (two-thirds of 100) would fully use the sex scandal to convict Clinton after the impeachment trial.

Prosecutor Starr added the sex angle to his 41-month, $40-M probe in the Whitewater real estate deal and other possible presidential wrongdoings. It was reported that Starr would be elevated to the Supreme Court by a Republican White House if he succeeded.

High rating

Clinton’s standing with the people remained higher than 65 percent. In November, 1998, Democrats scored unexpected successes in the congressional campaigns and Speaker Newt Gingrich was driven from office.

In crucial Senate and gubernatorial races around the country, Democrats won impressive victories.

Acquittal

February 12, 1999: Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who had presided over the 37-day trial on two counts, asked the senators – “Is William Jefferson Clinton guilty or not guilty?”

The 100 senators gave their verdict: By a vote of 55-45 they rejected a charge of perjury. The Senate then split 50-50 on a second charge of obstruction of justice – far short of the 67 votes (two-thirds) needed to convict Clinton.

Ten Republicans broke ranks to oppose Clinton’s removal on the first count and five bolted from the party on the second count.

Adverse effects

America’s 18-month preoccupation with the President’s sex life, an issue that had paralyzed Washington, helped bring down a Republican speaker and made the President a figure of ridicule.

Repercussions

But there were signs as a new presidential campaign dawned, that the scandal was yet having repercussions.

Lesson: Waste of tax money, time, effort, and a setback to Clinton’s programs for the US.

In RP the same

Here in RP, we also waste weeks, even months, to discuss the following: 1) jueteng as yearly preoccupation denoting lack of law enforcement in the last several years with no solution in sight, 2) never-ending discussion or debate on the hostage issue and officials to blame/charge, 3) exchange of heated words between “true” and “not-so-true” Catholics (called friends of Satan) in the birth/population control controversy, and 4) Maguindanao massacre trial that is expected to last 200 years (according to Senator Joker Arroyo).

‘Mr. Chairman, not Mr. Chair’

Here’s the editors’ reminder for staff members and readers of The New York Times:

“Chair, as a noun can mean an endowed professorship (the Anysll Chair in Philosophy) or a position in an orchestra (first-chair players). Do not use it to mean Chairman or Chairwoman. Similarly avoid co-chair. Avoid it as a verb; try lead, head, or preside over instead. Use chairman or chairwoman. Do not use chairperson or chairlady. (The New York Times, Manual of Style and Usage, by Allan M. Siegal, Asst. Managing Editor and William G. Connolly, Senior Editor)

The Associated Press has one reminder: “Do not use chairperson unless it is an organization’s formal title for an office.”

Appropriate case always

After months of investigation reports are written or submitted for “appropriate action or filing of charges” against the same persons. This time, the prosecutors would need more witnesses and documentary evidence. If gambling lords are charged, the trial may last say five to 10 years in the lower courts and more years on two appeals for a total, say, of 20 to 25 years.

Like hair-pulling

And the final sentence amounts to a slap on the wrist. Prosecutor Tom Dewey of New York obtained the conviction and long prison terms for Mafia capos after a jury trial of three years – 1935 to 1938.
The “gambling lords” now facing the senators were on the “dock” for the same subject of investigation for as long as readers and TV viewers can remember.

Same faces

So far, all of them, familiar faces to millions, have been on the same witness stand for a 6th or 9th time over the last many years. Lying before Senate probers or making short statements is not the same as sitting on a stool behind bars of a town, city, or provincial jail to be treated like ordinary prisoners for petty crimes. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com)