Pain and Promise In Clinton Scandal

Although throngs of fame-seeking college students flock to Washington internships each summer, none has ever grabbed national attention quite the way Monica Lewinsky has. But then, not all headlines from the nation's capital are desirable. No one sets out to earn the kind of publicity that attends accusations of presidential adultery and perjury.

Amidst the media frenzy and daily serving of allegations surrounding the current scandal, it is difficult to determine who or what should be believed. Whatever the out-come, this case has been a sad episode in our history. Monica Lewinsky has suffered irrevocable damage to her reputation, career prospects and potential for leading a normal life because of her involuntary brush with notoriety. The First Family has been forced to endure a humiliating crisis in full view of the world.

The allegations of Presidential infidelity, perjury and subornation thereof have exposed the consequences of sanctioning the reckless pursuits of zealous lawyers. And the news media, all too eager to support the tabloidization of politics, have further undermined the civic life of the country.

Suggestions of Presidential sexual misconduct and disdain for the law have disappointed the American people and the people of the world. Those who rely on solid leadership from Washington to navigate the important issues of our day are ill-served when legal troubles arising from dubious accusations distract the President.

For now, in light of the scarcity of reliable evidence in this case, we must resist the temptation to rush to judgment. We as a citizenry ought to follow the admirable example set by members of Congress from both parties and allow the investigation to proceed. Let us uphold the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

Despite the damage that has already been done by this scandal, some good may yet come out of it. Greater awareness of the scope of sexual harassment litigation and the unrestrained jurisdiction of independent counsels to probe the lives of the accused may finally cause a long-overdue revision of these two peculiar facets of the American justice system.

Additionally, if the Lewinsky affair inspires a vigorous public debate about the responsibilities of the media when covering rumors of scandal and about the appropriate balance of our expectations regarding the public and the private lives of our elected officials, then perhaps situations like our current one can be avoided in the future.

It would be unfortunate if this case only deepened the cynicism that many Americans already feel toward political life. The contract that exists between the populace and the federal government--a covenant that has sustained this nation through good times and bad--must endure despite the character flaws of specific individuals.