Let’s see a show of hands. Who among readers of this column has experienced some anxiety in their lives? Ahhh, as I suspected there are lots of hands in the air. Everyone has had moments of stress, strain and fear to deal with. The trick is how you handle it.
Our 42nd president recently re-appeared to tell us that because he felt such enormous pressure during his tenure as Commander in Chief he turned to extramarital sex with a woman half his age as a way of “managing my anxiety.”
Speaking to producers of a newly released HULU documentary about his wife President Bill Clinton admitted his behavior with young Monica Lewinsky was inexcusable but he seemed to justify the affair as a legitimate way of relieving professional pressure or as he put it, “something that’ll take your mind off it for a while.”
Sorry. He doesn’t get off that easily in my book.
Clinton’s glib justification doesn’t explain all the other women who have come forward to paint him as a serial cheater and sexual predator.
Gennifer Flowers, a singer and former Arkansas television personality, reportedly had a 12-year-long affair with the married Clinton which began in 1977. (Bill and Hillary married in 1975) Juanita Broaddrick, a Clinton campaign worker, alleged he raped her in late 1970; Leslie Millwee, another Arkansas television reporter, accused then Governor Clinton of sexually assaulting her three times inside dark edit rooms in 1980; Paula Jones, an Arkansas state employee, claimed Clinton propositioned her then exposed himself in 1991; and Kathleen Willey, a White House volunteer, said then-president Clinton sexually assaulted her in the oval office in 1993.
William Jefferson Clinton has denied each and every allegation, just as he initially denied the bombshell revelations about his 1995-1997 affair with White House intern Lewinsky who was just a few years older than Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea.
Call these mere “bimbo eruptions” if you will. I call them a pattern of behavior or what would be explained to a criminal jury as “past bad acts.” Clinton’s denials can’t help but remind people of his long friendships with convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. Those two paid the price for their sexual crimes while their pal Bill has deftly escaped a criminal trial. Perhaps the Epstein and Weinstein lawyers should have tried the “I-was-just-managing-my-anxiety” defense.
Clinton accuser Kathleen Willey told an interviewer in 2016, “The mainstream press is calling all of Bill Clinton’s crimes infidelities. Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment are not infidelities. They are crimes …”
It is baffling to me that today, in this so-called woke era, that a man like Clinton can so cavalierly dismiss his past bad acts and that his explanation is simply accepted save for a bit of razzing in the media. Clinton made no mention of all the women left to struggle in his wake. Not a word was said about why he thought he could lie under oath to a federal grand jury probing his sexual improprieties and obstruct justice by asking Lewinsky to lie about their affair. Clinton offered no apologies, no hint of contrition about what his brutish, criminal predations cost the country during his impeachment spectacle in 1998.
Can you imagine any politician today – be they democrat or republican – being able to simply walk away from such sexually charged revelations with a spineless explanation about it being a by-product of “managing anxiety”? It would never be allowed to happen today.
So why is Bill Clinton still in the spotlight? Why hasn’t he been ostracized, erased from society, like so many other accused sexual predators? Just ask some of the Clinton’s Hollywood pals who have been expunged from society in the wake of the #MeToo movement if they think this is equitable treatment.
Release of the new documentary about Mrs. Clinton was obviously well timed to drop just months ahead of what looked like it could have been a brokered democratic nominating convention. No doubt the Clinton’s were hoping it would boost Hillary’s standing should the convention deadlock and need an alternative candidate. Once again Bill and Hill banked on their star quality to insure the most loyal in their party still have their blinders on.
My eyes are wide open.
Reader Joel Widman writes:
To Diane:
This emails X rated for bad language and content so if that offends you,stop reading now. I was outraged by Clinton’s comment. If he wanted to demean Monica Lewinsky by reducing her to a couple of clicks above a sex toy he succeeded. If he wanted to manage his anxieties he could masturbate while reading Playboy. What is it going to take for the Clintons to just shut the fuck up and go away?
Joel Widman
Rio Rancho NM
Reader Jwschuetz writes:
Bill Clinton is a sexual predator!
I have plenty of stress in my life, however, if I were the president I would never stoop to conning an intern into having sex with me. I’m responding to let you know you are wrong about current politicians and what would happen if they were caught like Clinton. The answer is, nothing would happen. We have two sexual predators on the supreme court and one leading our country.
Reader Mary Smith writes:
Diane, your words on Bill Clinton today in the Albuquerque Journal are excellent. I only wish I weren’t so old so I can see them (Bill & Hillary) go to prison some day, but I doubt that will ever happen with all the crooked friends they have to help keep them out along with their blind and loyal followers.
——
Mary K Smith
Reader Patrick Roache writes:
Dear Diane Dimond,
Very good article on Clinton’s lame excuse of “managing anxiety”. It helps for me, too. This is second only to Martin Luther King’s reason for having his staff bring willing young women to his hotel rooms because it helped him fall asleep. Again, I can vouch for the efficacy. Has anyone in the #MeToo movement dared to take on the Reverend? Would you?
Respectfully, Patrick J. Roache
Reader Tim Taylor writes:
Diane,
IMO, good column today! Don’t get that much from me, eh? However, I always look forward to Saturday and your column.
As a lifelong registered Democrat, son of a blue-collar union man, and former member of the lower middle class of the country, I voted for Bill. While all humans are flawed at some level, I judge Bill to be a disgusting scumbag for ruining that girl’s life and for behaving like a rutting pig. I thought that at the time of his impeachment and I think that way now. He has not redeemed himself in my estimation.
At the time I thought that if he had had any decency at all, and any consideration for the Democratic Party and the nation, he would have simply resigned and let Al Gore run as an incumbent. Just consider that for a moment! Gore would probably have won walking away and the history of our country and perhaps the Mideast might have been much improved over the dumpster fire that Bush, et. al. left us. But I digress.
Hillary. Dear god. She has no currency left in the Democratic Party. Sure, there may be voices left, nostalgics who can’t get over 2016. Truth be told, there exists a vein of misogyny that runs below the surface of the polity that likely doomed her. Staying with Bill was a mistake. He didn’t deserve it. Any ambition that Hillary has will be stillborn this time around. She might as well go volunteer at an animal shelter.
Consider if you will trading straight across, Joe Biden’s history and record with Elizabeth Warren’s? Would there be any difference? Probably not. In fact, Warren’s ideas and record may be better. Biden has a lot of baggage from his long career. Both Biden and Warren, though politicians, appear to be decent human beings, which, in contrast to Trump, may be what Americans are looking for – we are simply exhausted. But … a woman President? Not yet. The hidden vein of misogyny is there, and sometimes not especially hidden.
One of my conservative friends reacts viscerally to Nancy Pelosi. I asked why, I asked what single act of hers outrages you the most? He replied, “I just can’t stand her.” There it is. No rational thought, just gut reaction. It’s because she is an intelligent, competent WOMAN politician. One doesn’t have to agree with her positions, but one has to respect her abilities.
Thanks for a stimulating Saturday! But the Clintons? They are like a rich old couple stuck back in one’s hometown, whom one grew up with, but would not trade places with for anything. And whom the whole town looks down on but barely treats courteously just because of their money, nothing else. They sit, pensively and alone at a table at the country club.
Best regards, Tim.
Reader Silvio Dell’Angela writes:
Diane,
Kudos. Your ABQ Journal articles on a variety of subjects from the disgraceful to every good cop-leadership imposed blue code of silence policy to this latest one on Bubba Clinton and his enabler wife is a breath of fresh air from those Washington Post and other syndicated TDS-impaired Trump hate mongers/propagandists whose advocacy of the corrupt, seemingly senile Joe Biden articles we readers are instead subjected to almost daily. Keep up the great writing!
Reader CMT writes:
to Diane
I have been watching you for a while and I have found some articles you have reported interesting. However, you need to put yourself in the position as President of the United States I know that is impossible but give it a try.
You have more enemies than you can count and for him to reach that high office with no money only his talent and intelligence it’s quite an achievement. You can have a Paula Jones lawsuit which was unprecedented on your watch and you have to defend yourself not only having a prosecutor but an independent counsel who has been sitting around waiting for you to do something for seven years. So that automatically puts him in a unique situation unlike the rest of us 300+ million people and as for Juanita she signed an affidavit that nothing happened to her and to turn around and say she was lying on that affidavit but now she’s telling the truth try lying on the legal document and getting away like that if you wasn’t trying to hurt the President. Don’t put woman on a pedestal that doesn’t need to be Paula Jones posed naked for Penthouse and now stated the Republican use her keep in mind the republicans had no use after that, would you like to join Paula Jones and pose naked with her; know the facts of all those that were involved with the Clinton Presidency. And as for Lewinsky I’m sure Clinton regrets knowing I wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy nobody but her would have kept a which gave us two republican presidents Bush and Trump.
CMT
Reader Dave Willard writes:
I don’t buy Clinton 100%. I don’t buy your columns 1000%.
Reader SimplyMarie writes:
Interesting how people can come up with an excuse for bad behavior, yet a contrite apology is usually absent.
Reader Paul Davidson@pauljdav writes:
Could you imagine if Trump said this?
The hypocrisy of the left is deep.
Reader misterDavidR writes:
Billy dindu nuffin ….
Reader Christine Plunkett@ChristinePlunk5 writes:
where was Hillary?
Reader Shawn Smith@shawnsmith5100 writes:
Kennedy had Marilyn Monroe.
Diane Dimond replies to Shawn:
Yes…but he didn’t lie about his affair under oath. Nor did he try to get Marilyn to lie in a sworn statement. And Kennedy’s wife didn’t publicly shame the ‘other woman’ either or cost the country an expensive and distracting impeachment proceeding.
Reader Toney Brooks Media@ToneyBrooks writes:
Managing anxiety is great fun, eh?
Reader Axiom3@Kneeboy12 writes:
What a coward!
Reader billgarza5050@billg5050 replies:
Yeah, that’s what she said
Reader Joe Bob@JoeBobMr writes:
I recall Bill Clinton said he “never had sex with that woman” … so is he NOW confessing that he LIED to the people?
Reader 微塵@xiao0351 writes:
medical treatment ?
Reader PoundSand@pound_sand writes:
Ole Billy boy doesn’t get off easy with us, but he sure did in the Oval Office!! POUND SAND Billy Boy
Reader Bertram@BigBertieT writes:
Andrew Gillum uses naked crystal meth to manage his anxieties.
Reader Gnaw Maul ⚰️⚱️@GnawMaul writes
But he did get off that easy.
Reader Niv A✡️@hai5375 writes:
Because #BillClinton is a DIRTY old man who takes advantage of those who trust him. Seduction is a well known tool of psychopaths like him. #creep
Reader E@enordye2 writes:
Hmmmm, Ole Bill must have had “LIFE-LONG-ANXIETIES”
Reader NavyVet writes:
Remember how the democrats campaigned on the claim that the republicans were the party of corruption, with the full throated support of the media? And now, with Biden so obviously guilty of decades of corruption, they circle the wagons and do everything they can to protect him?
You’ll never find a parallel in the other direction. The global leftist cabal protects its own. The victims of Clinton and Biden will never get justice because our government is rife with anti-American bigots aka democrats.
Reader Steve Borsher writes:
Defense? Now? It took him 20 years to come up with that? I guess whatever is, is.
Reader James K Langan writes:
I don’t think too many people hold him in high regard anymore.
Reader Tony Janes writes:
I agree with everything you wrote about.
Reader Dave Montes writes:
The Clintons are garbage.
Reader Dan Evans@daniellevans writes:
Dr Phil: So Bill let me ask how your stress reduction therapy worked out for you?
Reader B L Dreger@Greenspeeder writes:
What Clinton had was not sex. Anatomy books are useful for things like this.
Reader Don Rainman@don_rainman writes:
Its ok Bill, we’ve seen what Hillary really looks like without 1LB of makeup, totally forgivable
Reader Crude Hauler@CIOontheGo writes:
So is this now an acceptable defense in Court? Asking for thousands of Defense Attorneys…
Reader Bob@bobdirects writes:
yeah, he did it multiple times. this isn’t a “one off”.
Reader Liz Reyes@Equis36 writes:
That does not explain or excuse rape, Juanita Broaddrick or assault Paula Jones.
Reader Cliff Darnell writes:
Master manipulators !
Reader Karen Daluga Roberts writes:
Same question can be asked about Trump, he’s a sexual predator.
Reader Jeannette Albarran writes:
THANK YOU!!
Reader Nancy Spieker Robel writes:
Thank you, Diane. If He and Hillary keep forcing their way back into the limelight, they may not like what criminal investigations are exhumed against them. They think people forget, but we’ve only been distracted.
Reader Susan Silver writes:
More to worry about now maybe??!
Diane Dimond replies to Susan:
Yes. So it makes me wonder why Bill Clinton would choose NOW to dredge up all the controversy again. Politics maybe?
Susan replies:
Susan Silver Diane Dimond that documentary was soooooo unnecessary
Diane replies to Susan:
Yet the Clinton’s agreed to help in the production of “Hillary”…maybe even spearheaded the effort themselves, I don’t know the genesis of the project. And don’t you have to ask yourself WHY? Why do they continue to see themselves as so relevant in today’s political world. The only answer I can come to is that they still hold out hope that Hillary can be president…the documentary was likely seen as a catalyst to propel her into the slot at a brokered convention. I don’t see that happening now.
Reader Fred Bunch writes:
She was a consenting adult.
Reader Laurie Kahn writes:
It’s no excuse, but his “affair” with Monica Lewinski appears to have been consensual, which is a big part of it. (Even though he had a unfair advantage.)
Reader Robin Haines Kaehr writes:
You nailed it, Diane. You are such a phenomenal reporter/writer. There aren’t very many left anymore that have the organic, true facts, like you do. As a woman, I have so much respect for your passion and work… and gardening!!!
Reader Drew Rutberg writes:
Because if we held Bill accountable we would have to hold Hillary accountable as an enabler and accessory after the fact . This would prohibit a Biden Clinton ticket and the DNC would have to get another shadow President for Biden
Reader Roger Hawkes writes:
It’s solely because of the left, because of liberals who coddle and celebrate this disgraceful asshole. To wit: Tammy Bruce was once a big-time liberal as well and she served as president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) (1990–1996) and she served two years on NOW’s board of directors. One cannot get more liberal than that. But she quit when she saw how those women reacted to, or failed to properly react to Clinton’s treatment of women. She switched parties when she saw that NOW was NOT about women, but merely a tool for the democratic party (who gave NOW lots of money). Bill Clinton is national disgrace! And liberals are HUGE hypocrites.
You end your column on Bill Clinton, a president from last century, with “My eyes are wide open.” Yet you have blinders on regarding our current president. Let’s deal with the present moment, something we can do something about. Donald Trump has treated women very badly, as sexual objects and in how he has talked about them. Are you comfortable with his behavior, giving him a pass, because he calls himself a Republican?
Diane replies to Jim,
There isn’t enough room for me to write about every predator roaming the country, Jim, be they a republican, democrat, movie star, movie producer, singer, author, scientist, etc.
This particular column was spurred by President Bill Clinton dredging up the past and making the most revealing comments he’s made to date about why he plunged this country into a constitutional crisis way back when. I get about 700 words a week to write about what’s on my mind in the field of crime and justice. This week I chose to write about this.
Reader Dick Moots writes:
Thank you for the recap of his sleazy doings.
Hard to believe why he would still be a hero of the Dems.
I’m surprised that the liberal Albuq Journal actually printed it.
Keep up the good work. It’s much appreciated.
Dick Moots
Reader Julz301@Julz3011 writes:
Could you imagine if we erased every celebrity who had an affair? There wouldn’t be any left.
Reader Dan Evans@daniellevans writes:
Dr Phil: So, Bill, let me ask how your stress reduction therapy worked out for you?
Reader Sharon Rager writes:
I very much appreciated your recent article in the Alb. Journal regarding the horrible behavior of Bill Clinton and I remember Hillary calling the women he attacked (white trash). — how sordid was that……wish there could be law suits here.
Diane, your column on the Clintons was well done. readers should take the politics out of it and consider the human side. I know what it is to have a #MeToo experience, although no one wants to hear about a man’s experience. Also, as a special education teacher, I know what it is to be touched inappropriately. The student was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and had been abused by a friend of the family who had been asked to babysit. I had read about what women experience, feeling dirty, wanting a shower, feeling worthless and thoughts of suicide. The third time it happened, it really struck a nerve. Recognizing what I was feeling, I was able to process it out of my head in a short time. I understand what these women have gone through, except for penetration. I am sure I can only begin to imagine the invasiveness of that experience.
And what Hillary did in Benghazi was disgusting. That was about self-glorification. She wanted to be part of the team that ousted Ghaddafi. The problem was that we should have emptied the embassy until they actually had a government in place that we could choose to recognize – or not. She thought that experience would be a feather in her cap and lead to her election. When questioned, her response was something like, “Four Americans are dead. Does it really matter?” Yes, it mattered. That was a terrible error on the part of a Secretary of State. I hope it never gets repeated. I hope she never gets elected to anything – ever!
Reader Kit Stockdale writes:
Dear Diane,
Yours was the only response to the Clinton anxiety defense that I saw, and I thank you for that! I only saw the original piece about Clinton’s response in the BBC News and am appalled it didn’t make headlines here in the USA. Please keep up the good work on this issue which CANNOT go under the rug. Appalling. Depressing.
Signed,
Kit Stockdale PA-C
Reader Fred Chenevey writes:
It’s about heroes and hoarders