Monica Lewinsky is trending on Twitter. She is a brave young woman.

[Merryland]

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/16/monica-lewinsky-shame-sticks-like-tar-jon-ronson?CMP=share_btn_tw

[FreakinDJ]

1. Hillary worked feverishly to Destroy her

Documents reveal Hillary Clinton’s private reaction to her husband's cheating scandal with Monica Lewinsky


“It was a lapse, but she says to his credit he tried to break it off, tried to pull away, tried to manage someone who was clearly a 'narcissistic loony toon'; but it was beyond control," Blair wrote about a conversation she had with Clinton on September 9, 1998, during the height of the Lewinsky scandal that led to her husband’s impeachment.

Blair went on to write that Hillary Clinton had suggested her husband had made the mistake with Lewinsky because of the personal toll the deaths of his mother, her father, and their friend Vince Foster had taken on him while "the ugly forces started making up hateful things about them, pounding on them."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/10/report-documents-reveal-hillary-clintons-private-reaction-to-her-husbands-cheating-scandal-with-monica-lewinsky/comment-page-5/

[Zynx]

2. ???????

[dawg]

3. And for the life of me, I can't imagine why ...

[Merryland]

4. Did Bill Clinton ever apologize to Lewinsky?

For being a powerful man exploiting the crush of a young woman who worked for him? Do leopards change their spots?

[FreakinDJ]

9. Absolutely NOT

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

43. Did a Clinton ever apologize for anything he or she did?

I know he "almost felt like" apologizing a few days ago, but that was as close as it gets.

[beastie boy]

70. Yes he did.

[underahedgerow]

71. Apologize for what? Having a willy? Getting a little sexual activity from

a willing young woman?

What's to apologize for? 20 some odd years later it's ONLY being brought up because his esteemed, intelligent, capable, professional and accomplished wife IS. RUNNING. FOR. PRESIDENT. They had a little bitty sexual activity. OHMYPHUKKINGGAWD. No one ever does that, right?

Whatever actions he undertook were none of the public's business then, nor are they now. That's between him and his wife.

It's not relevant to anything.

[TeddyR]

85. A lot of people

Would get fired for having sex with a subordinate. In the military it can get you jail time.

[truedelphi]

139. But it was Bill Clinton.

No rules apply for either of them.

[840high]

102. For didling a young subordinate

in the Oval Office.

[ViseGrip]

136. A decade, and she can't get a job. No one wants her, But Bill and Hill carry on.

[underahedgerow]

168. She created the situation. She has just as much responsibility for the situation

that occurred as President Clinton. But she's the one who opened her yap and flapped about it. And. kept. the. dress.

Monica comes from family money, and never 'had' to get any type of a job to begin with, lest we forget. She was a political groupie, hoping to land the score of a lifetime. No different than the girls hanging outside the shows of any rock star. She wasn't working in the White House as a kid from 'unfortunate circumstances' she was there because of her fortunate circumstances, who she knew and what she engineered on her own, and for her own reasons.

She was also set up by that GOP plant, Linda Tripp, lest we forget. The GOP gift that keeps on giving.

People have to be held accountable for their actions. If she was smart enough to have a job in the White House, to begin with, she should have had the sense to behave herself. Personal responsibility.

And she messed up, she should have had the sense to keep her trap shut. Personal responsibility.

Do I blame Bill Clinton? Absolutely. But he didn't tell anyone, did he? He didn't pose for interviews about it.

But, I do NOT blame Mrs. Clinton, at all. In any way. In fact, I admire her resiliency in realizing that sometimes infidelities are just sex, after all and she didn't throw her marriage to a good man, down the drain.

Bill Clinton was one of our best Presidents. He is a good, kind, intelligent, liberal, democratic & compassionate man, who did an excellent job at Presidenting. His wife will be even better, and I'm pretty stoked about that.

President Bill Clinton and President Hillary Clinton. That WILL be an epic title I'll be SO happy to see!

[OBenario]

166. Hmmm.... So... since he's Bill Clinton...

... he's allowed to hit on his employees.

I see that old excepctionalism at work here...

[underahedgerow]

214. Oh come on, like he's the first guy to ever have a diddle at the office? What's the

offense here? It happens ALL THE TIME in every office around the world, has been since the dawn of time and will continue on forever. They were two consenting adults who knew exactly what they were doing. It was a bit of fun is all.

Why does it matter now? Over 20 years later? If you didn't know about it, what effect would it have on anyone or anything?

[Dan]

174. Totally agree with you

I wonder in an American population of maybe 50 million sexually active males, what percentage of these males (married or not) would refuse this activity. And now, with significant numbers of females in the work place - (I wish I had the link) - we are discovering that females are also starting to enjoy some outside activity. We are human, we are sexual animals, and most of us make mistakes. But aside from HRC being married to Bill - this is a non-issue except for the holier than thou GOP. If memory serves me, brother Newt was enjoying something on the side at the same time he was hollering about Bill. Plus, thank the Gods that like some of our congressional critters - it was one of the Congressional Page (boys) that some congressional critters were doing; Or was it the GOP congressman that was caught soliciting sex in the men's room at some airport... Lots of sex going on...back in the day.

Maybe if we are lucky, we can get Cruz elected president - I am sure that POS will outlaw sex altogether.

[kwassa]

99. Lewinsky initiated the relationship. Why should Bill apologize to anyone but Hillary?

Lewinsky also set him up, by keeping the dress with the semen stain on it as ammunition.

There is little basis for blaming Bill, except for allowing it to happen. Lewinsky has largely created her own misery.

[840high]

103. The President of the US

had no control over himself? How mature. She certainly was not the only one Bill had fun with. Didn't they pay one woman off with $600.00?

[kwassa]

112. gee, are you going to bring up all the unsubstantiated stories again?

How Republican. Shall we try to impeach him again?

[840high]

120. They have been substantiated. Perhaps

you are too young to remember.

[kwassa]

137. No, they haven't. The right wing tried their damndest to do so ....

I lived through it, and know that you don't know.

[840high]

186. I lived through it and even

defended slimy Bill.

[truedelphi]

141. I can only imagine your forgiving attitude if it

Was Jill Sanders getting oral sex from some office assistant of hers.

The Clinton branch of the Democratic Party thinks normal rules do not apply to the Clintons.

[kwassa]

149. what??? Jill Sanders????

was she a White House intern?

[truedelphi]

177. Your equation is different than mine.

You see my remark in terms of interns.

I made my remark in terms of:

1) Bill Clinton is the spouse of a candidate for the party's nomination to run for the Presidency.

2) Jill Sanders is also a spouse of a candidate for the party's nomination to run for the Presidency.

And I assure you, if the sexual escapade was on Jill and not on Bill, you folks would think it was the worst offense in the world.

[840high]

193. Of course they would. Being it's

the Clintons excuses everything in their minds.

[OilemFirchen]

148. Six hundred bucks?

Now that's scandalous.

[840high]

163. oops - 600 thousand

[pnwmom]

183. Did Monica, whose actions deeply hurt Hillary, ever apologize to her? She should have. nt

[840high]

187. Did Bill?

[pnwmom]

188. Hillary said he has. But Monica never has -- she just goes around pretending Hillary wronged HER.

And in addition to Hillary saying he apologized and she forgave him, Clinton has also spoken of it.

Why does Monica not acknowledge that she wronged Hillary?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010119/aponline143555_000.htm

Referring to the Lewinsky case, Clinton said: "I've apologized for my conduct and I've done my best to atone for it with my family, my administration and the American people.”

[840high]

192. The women were called "bimbos" by a

Hillary spokesperson. They were wronged.

[pnwmom]

196. Each case is different and we're talking about Monica, who deliberately hurt Hillary.

Being called a Bimbo seems trivial by comparison.

[840high]

202. Why can't you accept that it's

Bill who hurt Hillary. He is married to her.

[pnwmom]

203. There were two people in that sexual affair. One of them doesn't get a free pass. nt

[840high]

204. Of course it took

2 to tango but Bill broke the marriage vows. Monica was single.

[Fairgo]

106. I Know! I Know! Ask Me!

Because she was an intern. And He was her boss?
Oh, or maybe she was an intern and he was the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?
Or maybe because he was married and older by decades?

[kwassa]

110. I think she owes him an apology. She was culpable.

and Bill paid and paid for it. They both did.

[CTyankee]

116. No. He was the most powerful man on the earth and he could easily have told his staff

not to let her into the White House. While she is responsible for coming on to him, it was up to him to send her away. He could have kept any of t his from happening.

We almost lost a Dem president and went through an embarrassing and dangerous impeachment which would have torn the country and our political system apart. I hold him responsible.

[kwassa]

117. Sorry, she was an adult, and initiated the entire thing.

His impeachment had the rather impressive effect of raising his approval rating and popularity, as the entire country recognized how politically motivated it was.

[840high]

124. Bill's libido has always been

a problem. Monica was not the first or the last by far.

[kwassa]

130. Monica initiated the relationship. She is not a victim.

[CTyankee]

128. But he was not powerless to stop her. All he had to say was "No."

[kwassa]

133. He should have, but this does not exculpate Monica.

She was not brave, but extremely foolish.

[CTyankee]

138. Yes, I agree she was foolish. But he was irresponsible to his office and the country by

bringing on a near crisis over a young woman's foolish crush on the President. He knew damn well the knives were out for him. He knew the consequences, even if she did not. We all make foolish mistakes when we are young, but the stakes were just too high in this case.

[kwassa]

150. Remember when this was the most imporant crisis in American politics? Makes me nostalgic.

Times were simpler then.

[CTyankee]

162. We need to always remember that the republicans have their knives out ready to strike.

It's awful, but it is the truth...

[restorefreedom]

175. a power differential that significant means that it was not an equal relationship

boss/subordinate, pastor/parishioner, therapist/client.

it was his responsibility, despite any "initiation" of hers,to put a stop to it.

but as clintons do, he put his own desires above all else.

[kwassa]

178. Lewinsky is not relieved of responsibility.

nor is Bill.

[restorefreedom]

179. she made a pass at a powerful man she was working for

and was probably quite taken with. instead of recognizing that and discouraging her, he used her as a toy and a diversion. and when the truth came out, he and his wife tried to destroy her.

while they both played a role, there is no comparison. his offense was orders of magnitude greater than hers.

[kwassa]

180. I disagree with you.

If you play with fire, you might get burned.

[restorefreedom]

181. that is true, she took a big risk

but imo he as the powerful one in that relationship had a moral dury to stop it from going forward.

he failed.

[pnwmom]

199. Hillary was wronged by Monica as much as she was wronged by Bill.

But you will blame the harmed wife. Typical sexist nastiness.

[restorefreedom]

210. i didnt blame hillary for the affair. buthe sexist behavior was bills.he had the greater culpability

he used monica like a toy and when she no longer conveniently served her purpose when the truth came out, they both tried to destroy her.

but i knew this conversation could not end without the sexist card being played. thanks for confirming this reality.

[pnwmom]

213. Monica is the one who is still trying to hurt Hillary, by going for publicity every time Hillary

runs in an election.

[restorefreedom]

216. her life has been shit for 20 years thanks to bill

if a magazine wants to pay her for an interview she has every right to do it. best i can tell she talked about her life since and not said much, if anything, about the clintons.

the magazine is going to use it for circulation of course. she would not be as interesting an interview for some people if hillary was not running.

go capitalism

[treestar]

165. The president is not the most powerful man on earth but he is powerful

and that's supposedly sexy and Bill Clinton has charisma and it is possible for a woman over the age of consent to have the hots of him and go after him and it be her choice. He should have said no because he was married - but that's a different thing. Nothing forced her into it and his power did not force her into it. She could have not done it. That would have kept her out of trouble.

[CTyankee]

170. He owed it to t he country not to ruin his presidency. She owed it to herself and her

own dignity not to be so foolhardy. Therein lies the difference. At the end of the day what she did with her body was her business not mine or yours. But at the same time, he owed it to the country and especially us Democrats not to give our political foes to seize power from a duly elected president.

[smirkymonkey]

217. +1000

[840high]

122. Poor Bill - he just

had extra cigars and didn't know what else to do with them.

[wheniwasincongress]

164. Didn't Bill set himself up

by ejaculating on the dress? Or is that her fault too

[840high]

194. Her fault - how dare

she wear a dress.

[OBenario]

167. "Lewinsky initiated the relationship."

Yes, Bill was a victim. Poor boy. A victim!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

212. I used to disapprove of Bill's actions; your post makes me despise him.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. What would be an appropriate reaction to the wpman

who has had an affair with your husband?

Lewinsky was a grown woman, had a previous affair with a married man and had bragged about going to Washington to earn her "Presidential kneepads".

[DisgustipatedinCA]

27. Oh, I don't know...maybe assign most of the blame to your middle aged husband and not a

22 year old?

[Contrary1]

51. Please excuse me, while I edit your post...

Oh, I don't know...maybe assign most of the blame to your middle aged husband, and president of the most powerful country on earth, and not a 22 year old?

[northernsouthern]

140. They are blaming a 22 year old woman?

I guess it is only sexism to blame the woman if it is her husband. Where is Delores to call me a sexist for that line?

[truedelphi]

142. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ n/t

[tk2kewl]

38. ...

[certainot]

46. doing karl rove's work for him?

you do bernie no fucking favors, the same lie machine is going to turn on him if he wins the primary

here's michael savage on bernie end of last year, from 400 radio stations, just part of an hour or two getting warmed up, and in the spirit of you comment:

BERNIE SANDERS IS A
Schmuck

Liberalism is a mental disorder, Bernie’s an eg of someone who’s on medication, well he’s on medication obviously in my opinion he should be on severe thorazine in a bug house

He’s a retrovirus, not only a carrier of the marxist virus but he’s actually an infection himself

Schmuck, a lowlife of the lowest order a brooklyn commie, i know the type.... if they were a teacher they’d get fired for sleeping with a student

I knew the type, the grandfather stood on the corner of union square on a soapbox screaming about the wonders of communism even though he fled russia

Schmuck

(Bernie supporters) millennials, morons lived in their parents basement until yesterday

The clinton machine will not let him get there- it will be a pullonium bagel or an exploding knish, there’ll be an accident, a little advice for bernie- don’t jog in marcy park

Liberty university- why would they let this schmuck speak there? let this anti christian communist speak there?

What does that mean raised in a jewish family, non observant? he was a communist descended from jews!

Let him sell body parts, lunatic, too stupid to invest wisely

We're overrun by mexicans and syrians and this schmuck’s talking about income inequality

Steeped in marxism right down to the dirty suit, died in the wool loser, at least he’s not wearing a pantsuit, now if he came out in a pink pantsuit i’d say he has a better chance at the crossover vote

If he won i’d leave the country

Inarticulate lowlife, bad health, lifetime of mariajuana, bad red wine, tofu, probably enlarged breasts from the tofu, emaciated mentally and physically, can’t he get a hair cut? the breath on this guy, halitosis

I want to ridicule him, i want to tear him apart like a cat with a mouse, i’d invite him on the show anytime he wants,

Moron moron moron sick

[tk2kewl]

90. I guess the truth about the Clintons is very painful for you to face

[certainot]

98. your version of truth was something you heard

first or second hand from republicans, and i dont trust anything they tell me when it comes to the clintons especially

something that was repeated millions of times from a 5BIL$/year talk radio PSYOP and anything they gave that much time to just can't be trusted.

[840high]

105. The whole world knew

about Bill's slimy sex.

[Divernan]

83. Perfect!

[BlueStater]

89. Seriously? Mike fucking Lester?

You do realize he's a right-wing toolbag, correct?

[tk2kewl]

91. Does the cartoon fit the conversation?

Is it inaccurate in some way?

[840high]

104. Bingo

[frylock]

40. Foul temptress.

[Thirties Child]

108. Yes!!

"presidential kneepads" is also what I remember

[Dorian Gray]

169. To appropriate

reaction would be to confront your husband.

If my husband cheated on me, no matter who threw herself at him, it would be his fault He has the ability to say no.

Monica didn't chain him up and force him to allow her to give him a blowjob at gun point.

[Gomez163]

55. Yes, Hillary should totally apologize to the woman her husband was cheating on her with.

She'll get right on that.

[apnu]

172. The 90s called, they want their right wing smears back.

Hillary did not try to destroy Monica. Thanks for the desperate retreading of RW taling points.

[Marrah_G]

5. She did a Ted talk about how scandal follows you especially since the internet

It was actually a very good talk and I was impressed. I am very glad I am not judged on the stupid shit I did at 19-20.

[tammywammy]

15. Her TED talk was great

Highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't seen it.

[djean111]

6. Reading this, I don't know why anyone would want to be involved with the Clintons.

Ugh.

[apcalc]

7. This is how I view Monica and her errors

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24173194

[Merryland]

10. Not sure I understand - "her errors"?

[philosslayer]

8. She's not young anymore

[fbc]

50. No she's not.

But she looks great!

[840high]

195. She's quite beautiful and

a very good speaker. I wish her the best.

[GOLGO 13]

11. Pretty woman.

[demmiblue]

12. This made me see Ms. Lewinsky in a whole new light:

[Merryland]

13. This ain't gonna be good for either Clinton

They just need to slink away to the Hamptons & stay there.

[demmiblue]

19. Casting a negative light on the Clintons was not my purpose in posting this video. n/t

[frylock]

41. You can't swing a dead cat without casting a negative light on the Clintons.

It's not your fault.

[Arkansas Granny]

44. Of course not.

[demmiblue]

45. What do you find objectionable about the video?

I have posted and commented on it before.

Her message is about compassion and empathy.

Edit: your sig line captures a lot of what she speaks about in the video.

[truedelphi]

143. None the less, a negative light was cast. But that is not yr fault.

Unless there is something we don't know that you did, like introducing the President to Monica. And even then, his actions are still his and her actions are still hers.

[moonbabygo]

20. I enjoyed watching that

and I always felt bad for her. I'll never understand why men get forgiven for having affairs and women get chastise by all.

[DookDook]

25. Because when this happens, we are told that 'Boys will be boys...

and women are sluts. This is why we need feminism. We allow a double standard to exist.

Think about how we have to educate people to not cat call women as they walk down the street, yet even in this thread someone took the time to post, "She's attractive." That's all, just a comment on her looks. Why would that be appropriate? What does it add to any discussion? If someone put up a picture of John Kerry would someone feel compelled to point out what he looked like or if they found him handsome or not? I don't think so, but because it's a women they feel it's fine to point out that they think she's pretty.

Someone else points out that 'Monica had an affair previously....' So? It takes two to tango.

And we are supposed to be full of the more 'progressive' side of things, I can't imagine what Freeper is like.

[karynnj]

33. The reason is that the ONLY thing she is known for is her affair with Clinton

That does not mean it is the only thing she has done - but it is by far the first thing almost the entire population that recognizes her name would say.

As to Kerry, if asks to say anything about him - it would be the Iran deal, the Paris Climate change pact, and other State Department accomplishments; the BCCI and Contra drug investigations and other accomplishments as Senator, being our nominee for President or his brave, eloquent words to the SFRC as a 27 year old. It is a better equivalence to compare comments on his looks to comments on HILLARY's ... or Bill's -- not Monica Lewinsky's.

It is very insulting to him to suggest the comments on Monica would be equivalent to comments on him. In fact, you could have ... and didn't make the comparison with her paramour, Bill? Was it that you considered he, but somehow the far more decent Kerry, deserved more respect.

Not to mention - nearly every article in the 1970s when he spoke out referred to Kerry as handsome and many added charming.

[DookDook]

54. I only mention John Kerry because he's a handsome guy and the first name I thought of.

What I said about John Kerry was this:

"If someone put up a picture of John Kerry would someone feel compelled to point out what he looked like or if they found him handsome or not?"

We can talk about other handsome guys if you want. James May for instance, but I'm not sure if everyone here is familiar with Top Gear or any of the other BBC programming he did. I also think Clive Barker is a handsome guy, but again I am not sure how many people are familiar with him or his writing....but that's the point, I'm talking about these men and immediately talking about what they've accomplished as well as the fact that they are handsome, to me.

And thank you for agreeing that to just point out that someone is attractive with no other comment is somewhat insulting. That was my point. I know that Monica was involved in fashion for a while, she was marketing pocketbooks. I know that she also does work speaking out against cyber bullying.

"It is a better equivalence to compare comments on his looks to comments on HILLARY's ... or Bill's -- not Monica Lewinsky's. "

I don't think we should be commenting on anyone's looks. I wouldn't want random people judging me on how I look.

"It is very insulting to him to suggest the comments on Monica would be equivalent to comments on him. In fact, you could have ... and didn't make the comparison with her paramour, Bill? Was it that you considered he, but somehow the far more decent Kerry, deserved more respect.

Not to mention - nearly every article in the 1970s when he spoke out referred to Kerry as handsome and many added charming. "

It has nothing to do with respect, that's my entire point. Why is it seen as perfectly okay to objectify Monica by saying, "Pretty woman." I try to judge people on the content of their character, not the wrapper that they come in.

[karynnj]

87. However, you could have made the point using Monica and BILL CLINTON

who should have come to mind just as quickly.

I suspect that the difference between the two of them is that Bill Clinton is known for many things, Monica just for one. I also think that the comment was partly that the older, slimmer Monica better fits the conventional model of what is attractive. What I found pretty revolting in the 1990s were the people who questioned Bill's choice - not because she was an intern, not because he was married, not because it happened in the WH, but because Monica was called "heavy".

I can't think of a male counterpart of Monica -- a young man who became famous for having a rather pathetic sexual relationship with a very powerful female.

[DookDook]

97. Bill's not my type, I don't find him attractive.

I'm a heterosexual male, so finding a list of men I find attractive is pretty short, but Bill just doesn't do it for me. I don't find him ugly, mind you, I just don't find him attractive. My point was that the persons looks really shouldn't have any bearing on what type of job that they'll do. And obviously everyone has different standards of beauty.

And again, we agree. I was dating a girl at the time of the Lewinsky scandal and her parents used to listen to right wing radio, so whenever we were at her house I would get to listen to Sean Hannity and a few other talkers and I remember when Sean Hannity would refer to Monica Lewinsky as a "Portly Pepperpot" and it used to make me fume.

And the reason you can't think of a male counterpart of Monica is because when it happens with men or boys, they get patted on the back. If you want an example of a young man who's life is damaged because of his relationship with an older women, I remember reading a story about a young man who has an affair with his teacher in Rolling Stone, here is a link.

http://deadspin.com/5131972/the-downside-of-doing-your-teacher

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

88. I don't know if Bill is forgiven, have to ask Hillary.

As for Monica, who knows what was on her agenda. Keeping the blue dress, not having it dry-cleaned, there is some motive there.

I can't feel bad for either of them. They both enjoyed the oval office.

[NNadir]

69. Thank you. Ms. Lewinsky gave a powerful talk that certainly made me think differently. n/t

[Shrike47]

16. She's not a young woman. She had an affair with a man she knew was married.

Of course Hillary was angry. Who wouldn't be?

[meaculpa2011]

21. She knew he was married, but...

he's the one who made the pledge: "And forsaking all others."

I'll never understand how anyone can blame the unattached player in these matters.

[jwirr]

22. Exactly. If there is anything in this world that is sexist it is

the old practice of letting the older married man get by with whatever and blaming the woman. Ever heard of seduction?

And he is going to be our first-husband? What could go wrong?

[Democat]

64. You don't think both parties share blame?

Or only in this case when it's Clinton?

[kwassa]

101. Lewinsky initiated the relationship, and was an adult at the time.

She is culpable for her own actions.

I'll never understand how anyone can let the unattached player off the hook in these matters, as it takes two people making a choice to participate. Lewinsky was not an innocent victim, she tried her clumsy best to seduce Bill, and kept a semen stained dress as evidence.

[3catwoman3]

109. Agreed. When I was 5, I knew you weren't supposed to show...

...your underwear to anyone. IIRC, there was mention of "flashing her thong" to the president.

When I was 21, I most certainly knew it was wrong to pursue a a married man.

Neither one is blameless.

[certainot]

49. and GOP rw radio used her to hamstring the

clintons, stop single payer, and pass the tel com act of 1996

fox wasn't even born yet

[CorkySt.Clair]

107. +1

Some of the comments here are t far from the "if only hillary knew how to satisfy her man" mentality. Victim blaming to the 10th power and quite vile.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. At the end of the day, both Monica and Hillary were victims of Bill's narcissism.

I will say nothing horrid about either of them because it's none of my business.

[missingthebigdog]

28. Grown women who engage in consensual relationships are not victims

Casting Ms. Lewinski as the victim in this is patriarchal and infantilizing.

Bill Clinton broke his vows to his wife. That is a marital issue that is, and should have remained, between him and Hillary.

Ms. Lewinsky engaged in a consensual relationship with a married man. She wasn't forced, or taken advantage of. She made a choice.

[ScreamingMeemie]

30. I stand by my original post.

Sorry, but your words don't change my opinion. And... I might add... this has 0 to do with politics and elections now, just like 99 percent of the other posts in GD: P.

[m-lekktor]

34. I am sure the situational "feminists for Hillary" favor Bill Clinton and blame her mostly. nt

[BillZBubb]

57. BINGO! We have a winner!

[m-lekktor]

32. He was in a position of power, she was young enough to be his daughter.

AND He was the fucking president of the united states whose every move was being anally probed by an unhinged GOP searching for anything to go after him for! sorry it was more than two equals engaged in a consenual relationship

[demmiblue]

36. Yep. The power differential was enormous.

I find it strange that people can't see this... especially people who consider themselves to be feminists.

[missingthebigdog]

37. So all relationships between powerful people

And less powerful people are abusive?

I get that he was wrong here- he was married. Be mad at him for that if you want to be. But Ms. Lewinsky doesn't need you to be mad on her behalf. She is, and was, a strong, intelligent woman who chose this relationship. He didn't exploit his position of power. There was no indication that her job was in jeopardy if she didn't participate, or that she was coerced in any way.

The abuse she suffered was at the hands of people like Tripp and Starr, and the hateful GOP.

[greymouse]

47. she was like what, 21 or 22?

How mature were you at that age?

I don't blame Hillary for her response to this. Bill was scum and I'd be furious at him too.

But in a relationship with a very young woman and a thirty years older President of the U.S., it's pretty clear to me who 99% of the responsibility is with.

I can't imagine what she has been through. He basically destroyed her and was too cowardly to do anything helpful, or even be honest.

I don't want to see his smirking face again. Yet another reason to keep Clintons out of the White House.

[Arkansas Granny]

123. I was married, managing a household and raising a toddler.

I was mature enough to realize that you should not be flirting with married men, regardless their age or vocation.

And why, if you wanted to keep something a secret, do you keep a semen stained dress as evidence?

[Loki]

42. Oh please....

In my 20's when I wasn't married yet, I had an encounter (non-sexual) with a Lt. Governor of a neighboring state. He was very attentive and I was very flattered, but when I found out he was married, I said "no thanks". Young women are very capable of saying no to men in power, some choose not to.

[Democat]

66. That is extremely sexist

You are saying that a woman in her 20s is incapable of making her own decisions.

[Helen Borg]

39. The power dynamics was very symmetric indeed...

[kwassa]

115. This is about the worst analysis of what actually happened that I have ever read.

and incredibly wrong.

Lewinsky initiated the relationship, and pursued Bill. She was trying her best to seduce him, and he did resist for awhile. She is not innocent or the victim of power dynamics. Neither is innocent.

[awoke_in_2003]

129. +1000. nt

[Rex]

134. I think that is it in a nutshell.

He used both women, one reason I lost a lot of respect for Bill. Of course that has nothing to do with how I feel about his wife. What he did was a reflection on him and him alone.

[polly7]

18. I think she's a brave, beautiful woman and admire her for

speaking out to other women and girls. Mistakes shouldn't follow her around forever and be used by some to bully and try to ruin her life.

[840high]

111. .that^

[Rex]

23. If something positive came out of all that horrible mess, then that is a good thing.

I watched her TED speech, I am happy for her and that she took that moment and did something good with it. Has Bill Clinton ever apologized to her for taking advantage of her? Has Linda Tripp?

[DonCoquixote]

24. I never expected to hear something good from or about her

but this quote alone would do DU a LOT of good:

"these days, she’s often approached by victims of online bullying, “when I’m on the subway, in line for coffee, at dinner parties.” Shamed people tend to seek each other out, the cure for shame being empathy. “Sometimes they’ll say, ‘I went through this, but it’s nothing like what you went through.’ But I tell them that, if I drown in 60ft of water and you drown in 30ft, we both still drowned. "

[Archae]

26. Are the anti-Hillary people *THIS* desperate?

Monica was a woman, in her 20's when she got to the White House.

*SHE* made the first pass at Bill Clinton, showing him her underwear.

She had earlier had an affair with another man, in fact she considered sex with important people as trophies.

We need to slam Hillary on what is REAL.
Like her connections to "The Family," that fundy religious group, and Wall Street.

Not something Bill Clinton did 20 years ago with a woman, not his wife.

[livetohike]

29. Yes they are this desperate. Monica Lewinsky was not a teenager. She

knew exactly what she was doing and so did Bill Clinton.

Perhaps we should examine Sanders past affairs.

[Thirties Child]

126. Please.

I'm for Bernie and I'm not at all desperate, don't appreciate comments like this. I see Monica as seductress, not seduced. I remember her saying she was going to earn her "presidential kneepads", remember her tempting him by exposing her thong, remember the very sad walk of all three Clinton's to the helicopter, Chelsea walking between them, holding each by the hand, the sad, sad look on Hillary's face. I felt for her then.

[polly7]

35. So she forced him into it?

Young people make stupid mistakes.

Bill Clinton was a horny toad who took advantage of her and it nearly ruined her life - actually, it sounds like it did, for a long time. He's loved - she's slut-shamed. Typical.

[kwassa]

119. She paid for her stupid mistake. So did Bill. They were both adults.

Monica was an adult, and initiated the relationship. Being young doesn't get her off the hook for her actions.

[CountAllVotes]

31. Monica said she almost committed suicide

Good job there Bill!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

48. did she almost commit suicide because she blew the president? or because the world discovered it?

[fbc]

52. Obviously the latter

Why would you even need to ask this question? It sounds a little like you are trying to be cruel.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

53. because different people are responsible for different actions

Bill is the reason behind the blowjob, Ken Starr and the Republicans are responsible for it becoming common knowledge. so pretending this is Bill's fault, is just pretense and politically convenient when you are a Bernie supporter.

[virtualobserver]

59. If Bill had the courage to admit what he had done instead of sending White House cabinet members....

out to unknowingly mislead the public, I would have a different opinion of him.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

60. and she would still have been exposed, and she would still end up suicidal

had he said ' i did have sexual relations with that woman' instead of ' i did not...'

as i said, this new found sympathy for lewinsky is just politically convenient

[virtualobserver]

62. if he had admitted it right up front, it wouldn't have gone on and on......

He sacrificed her for his own benefit.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

65. no way that even you believe that. it would still be a giant sex scandal

and would have gone on and on.

[virtualobserver]

74. still a scandal, but lying to everyone made it so much worse.....especially under oath.

[Scootaloo]

76. Bill could have stood up for the woman he had told he loved.

Instead, he called her "That Woman" and acted like she was a monster who had victimized him. He threw her to the wolves, and don't for a minute pretend it was only Republicans running in that pack.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

78. lol. yeah, what i think is a bunch of people are finding fancy ways of blaming a wife for her

husbands affairs.

His popularity after this pseudo scandal was at an all time high, but now it's just convenient to blame him to bring down his wife.

i have a lot of sympathy for Lewinsky and absolutely zero sympathy for people using her now to prop up their candidate.

[Scootaloo]

80. I don't recall blaming Hillary. or even mentioning her.

Maybe address what I say instead of what you wish I had said.

[certainot]

56. because they had 1200 radio stations to slut shame her

the way that isn't possible in most civilized countries

long before fox, the rw think tanks/gop used it and other made up bullshit still repeated by 'liberals' here to wn congress, make gingrich and rove look like 'geniuses', hamstring the clintons, save reagan's criminals, stop single payer, destroy anita hill and pass thomas, push through the tel com act, and a lot of other crap that wouldn't have been possible if the left hadn't ignored talk radio.

and the left still ignores it

[La Lioness Priyanka]

58. right, hence it's not the blowjob at all, and not bill clinton's fault

I dont blame her for wanting to blow him, I dont blame him for getting blown.

However, none of the rest of us needed to know this, and for that i do blame the vast right wing conspiracy.

[certainot]

79. he was an idiot, but we definitely didn't need to know it

[Major Hogwash]

189. It most certainly was Bubba's fault.

He was the President of the United States, for crying out loud.
The Chief Executive of the Executive branch of government.
The Commander-In-Chief.

If you had read the Starr report you would have learned that Bubba went to extreme measures to hide his affair with Monica.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

221. Who wouldn't? I certainly wouldn't want my

Sex life in public. What you are saying bolsters my argument, he did his best to hide this, the fact that we know about it and that being the reason why she felt suicidal, cannot be attributed to him.

[truedelphi]

145. About some of what you write, I say, "Fine."

But a lot of what you say is rubbish. Bill Clinton was delighted to sign off on the FCC Reform Act, further stealing our airwaves away from us, and he didn't mind helping Bankers.

And it was his signature (and Janet Reno's) on paperwork that destroyed the life of one of California's top Medicinal Marijuana Activists, Lynnette Shaw, reducing her to pauper status.

Which she has only recently been able to legally rectify.

But, hey, the Quid Pro Quo was pretty marvelous for him. Once he left the Oval Office, the Big Financial folks were happy with him, as is Big Pharma. Every speaking engagement he has held has been worth at least $ 25,000. (And that low fee is assigned only to things like universities, where students want to hear him.) I'd like a job where I would get $ 350,000 or more for standing in front of a podium delivering a speech one of my aides wrote.

And don't forget, he gets to run a billion dollar plus "charity enterprise" for his troubles, should his conscience ever bother him.

[Democat]

61. Maybe she shouldn't have made a choice to have an affair with a married man?

Sometimes this site feels like Free Republic lately.

[SwankyXomb]

86. Sometimes?

[fasttense]

63. Wow, I'm surprised anyone gives a sh** about her.n/t

[KG]

67. no she's not.

[underahedgerow]

68. *SNAP* Annnd we're back in the room. I predicted this exactly ONE week

ago.

Just sayin'.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7748090

More Mrs. Clinton Hit Pieces. This belongs in Primaries.

[NNadir]

72. As a Clinton supporter, I don't have a problem at all with the video.

I thought Bill was an excellent President, and in this case, a terrible man, an irresponsible man, a man who did a great deal of damage to his country by allowing this huge distraction to take place.

I have always thought that this event.

It has nothing to do at all with Ms. Clinton herself, except to note that she carried herself well through the whole think and did not allow it to distract her from her public service career.

[steve2470]

73. my nuanced view of Ms. Lewinsky

Last edited Sat Apr 16, 2016, 03:18 PM - Edit history (1)

1- She and President Clinton both made huge mistakes. Clinton DEFINITELY should have known better, being older and being a professional politician for many years. He was also the one in the superior power position. (on edit: brain fart, he was also MARRIED, so he really should have behaved!)

2- How many of us made no significant mistakes at age 22 or 23 ? I know I did. Thankfully, none of them ended up in the media. Let's cut her a break. She's paid an enormous price for being young, naive, and doing something very unwise and very stupid.

3- President Clinton paid a huge price too, but somehow I think she got the worst end of it all.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

75. Email > 1990s

[VOX]

77. I love the DU Edition of Free Republic...

Available daily, right here.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

95. At least Henry Hypocrite Hyde is fucking dead now

Hopefully burning in hell too. He's a hero to these assholes, you know....

[Dems to Win]

81. Bill should have been shamed and ostracized, just like Monica

Instead, 'feminists' trip all over themselves to make excuses for him and corporations have paid him $200million to grace them with his presence.

I despise the idea of Bill returning to the White House in any capacity. I'm a feminist who wants Bill to go away, and I've wanted it since 1998. I'm a yellow dog Democrat, but I'm also strongly anti-Clinton and want the Democrats to move on from Clintonism.

I'm still hoping she will not be the nominee. If it's Clinton vs. Trump or Cruz, the feminist vote available on my ballot will be for Jill Stein. Damn the Democratic Establishment for putting me in this position.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

96. Oh, "Obama is very articulate" Dr Jill Stein?

"It would be better for Romney to win" Jill Stein?

Yeah, go right ahead. Sounds like she's perfect for you.....

[ky_dem]

82. God this thread has a disgusting level of slut-shaming going on

1. On what planet does anyone think an intern and the president of the U.S. can have an equal relationship? I would argue there are inherent issues with consent from the get-go.
2. Why is it Monica Lewinsky's responsibility to make sure Bill Clinton keeps his marriage vows?
3. Monica was not the first and probably not the last woman Bill Clinton cheated on Hillary with - why bash her for what is clearly a pattern of behavior?
4. Why does Hillary get a pass for staying with a man who obviously does not respect their marriage?

[Throd]

92. Because El BJ and Hillary are democrats.

If Bill was a Republican nobody on DU would be savaging Ms. Lewinsky as they are in this very thread.

[Travis_0004]

94. i dont care about the reasons Bill and Hillary stay together.

Those are personal, and honestly I dont care.

On the other points, I blame both of them. Monica knew Bill was married, I see no problem blaming both of them for their actions.

[ky_dem]

114. But it wasn't her marriage

I don't understand the idea that someone outside of a marriage has any responsibility to make sure the people in it keep their promises to one another

also you say 'on the other points', does that somehow mean Monica is responsible for B. Clinton's cheating that pre-dated and post-dated her?

[Travis_0004]

135. I'm Monica wants to sleep with bill, thats fine

But they she should expect some fallout for it.

Yes it was not her marriage, but she knew Bill was married. In our society we look down upon that, and one would expect some fallout for it.

Monica is not responsible for any cheating that happened before, but she is responsible for her actions.

[ky_dem]

144. there's a difference between 'some fallout' and a witch hunt

also I would argue that 'our society' does not have broad consensus on shaming people who have relationships with married people anymore - at least in my social circle I think most people fall on the side that the person to blame is the person committing adultery. why should a person respect a social construct when the person in that social construct obviously doesn't?

[Travis_0004]

152. I don't give a crap what they beleive in

You can at least make the argument in a lot of situations that one person had no clue the other person was married, obviously this was not the case with Monica.

Look, Monica can sleep with whoever she wants, but she can't complain if she doesn't expect fallout after sleeping with the president.

[kwassa]

113. bullshit. Lewinsky initiated the relationship. There are no inherent issues for consent.

[ky_dem]

118. of course there are

he was defacto her boss - and let's say she did initiate (which I don't know how we would know), then she's in a situation where if she stops the relationship she potentially fears for retaliation in the workplace

let's say I came on to my thesis adviser - I may be consenting to initiating a relationship but from then on I would have to be very wary of breaking off that relationship because of the immense power he has over whether I get my phd - that's why almost every workplace either prohibits relationships between people of different levels or makes the supervisor transfer the supervisory power to someone else in the event of a relationship

[kwassa]

125. We know she initiated the relationship. She said so to Linda Tripp.

Jesus Christ on a pogo stick. Let us not rewrite history here.

Monica started by showing off her thong to the President of the United States.

[ky_dem]

132. ok - I didn't know that (would appreciate a link)

I was 6 when that stuff was going on - I still hold to my point that there are consent issues because she's in a position where it would be incredibly difficult to end the relationship

[Dems to Win]

159. Thank you for providing the viewpoint of a young person

Monica told the FBI that she raised her shirt to show Bill the top of her thong as her way of telling him she wanted to play. It's in the Starr report, as are details of every sexual encounter they ever had -- each and every sex act. It was obscene the level of detail they released to the public. You can find it on google.

I agree with you that Bill is at fault, given his vast power, and he had a responsibility to say no. Any corporate exec that had an affair with an intern would be fired, no matter who had made the first move. I felt that way at the time, and wished Bill would just resign and let Al Gore take over, but I was pretty alone in that. Democrats convinced me, reluctantly, that his actions and lies did not rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors so he shouldn't be impeached, but that was it.

Young people, especially young women, have been raised knowing about sexual harassment and with modern workplace expectations. Bill's actions can look worse in hindsight than they were treated at the time.

Even prominent feminists like Gloria Steinem wrote articles defending Bill and demeaning Monica. I was pretty disgusted with organized feminism. I guess I've always been a hard-ass militant feminist.

I'm simply astonished that the Democratic and feminist Establishments are eager to return Bill to the WH as First Gentleman. I don't want it to happen, at all, and it has always seemed to me that it would be a tough sell to young people.

[ky_dem]

220. Thank you for your thoughtful response!

I think this is especially true (and a great sign of progress) - "Young people, especially young women, have been raised knowing about sexual harassment and with modern workplace expectations."

[Logical]

207. You sound like a sexist ass IMO, but just my opinion. Nt

[Logical]

206. I agree, a lot of assholes posting here! Nt

[smirkymonkey]

218. Thank YOU!

Sometimes I feel like I'm on a right-wing board.

[mr blur]

84. It's a bit of a stretch to label this, as some are, an attack on La Clinton.

Ms Lewinsky never mentions her. No-one is suggesting that Hillary is to blame for her husband being an adulterous liar. I see a lot of victim blaming here.

[mnhtnbb]

93. Brave?

Really? I'd say she was naive to have thought that blowing the President of the United States, keeping the evidence,
and then being shamed by being discovered was anything other than to be expected.

[IcyPeas]

100. Linda Tripp... Lucianne Goldberg....

Not to forget, these are the women who set up Monica. Also, Lucianne Goldberg used to post at Free Republic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucianne_Goldberg

The Tripp tapes[edit]
Goldberg met Linda Tripp in 1993 or 1994 while working on the proposal for the book on the death of Clinton aide Vince Foster. The two women became friends, and in 1997 Goldberg advised Tripp to secretly record former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, talking about her sexual relationship with Bill Clinton. Goldberg mistakenly advised Tripp that it was legal to record phone conversations in Maryland without the consent of the other party.

Goldberg urged Tripp to take the resulting 20 hours of tapes to Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr who had a broad mandate to investigate improprieties by Clinton. Goldberg also brought the tapes to the attention of lawyers working on the Paula Jones sexual harassment case against Clinton. The tapes became crucial to Starr's investigation on whether Clinton had lied about his affair with Lewinsky. (Ultimately, Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice because he stated in a sworn deposition in the Paula Jones case that he had never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. He was not removed from office, however.)

Soon after the secret taping began in the fall of 1997, Goldberg arranged for Tripp to speak with Newsweek reporter Michael Isikoff, who had been investigating other allegations about Clinton's sex life. After the scandal became public in January 1998, Goldberg was interviewed frequently by the media. She declared that the tapes proved that Lewinsky and Clinton had had a sexual relationship, and previewed other highlights of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair such as the existence of a semen-stained dress which later proved to have Clinton's DNA.

The Washington Post called her “the producer and publicist” who set the stage for the scandal and the investigation, she called herself the "facilitator". Of Goldberg's role in the scandal, TIME magazine said; "At a minimum, she is forever sealed in history as the New York City literary agent who uttered to her friend the most ruinous sentence of the Clinton presidency: 'Linda, buy a tape recorder.' " Author Jeffrey Toobin named her as one of the seven "Key Players" in the impeachment.

Goldberg said her actions in helping to disclose the Lewinsky–Clinton affair were motivated by her sense that general morality had declined, and that America needed “a wake-up call”. She also said that the disclosure of Lewinsky's affair with Clinton helped to protect Lewinsky, who suffered from an obsessive infatuation with Clinton. During this time, Goldberg made no secret of her personal animus toward Clinton, saying she was glad Clinton was getting caught "at something", and that "f it took this to get him, fine." She also said she was a political independent, though she was described in the press as having long standing ties to the Republican Party.

Repercussions
In the aftermath of the disclosures about the Clinton–Lewinsky affair, Goldberg was subjected to media attacks on her character and past business dealings. The Democratic National Committee faxed an unflattering "information sheet" on Goldberg to reporters within days after the story broke. Goldberg admitted that slurs on her own character were to be expected, '"I have never thought of myself as a victim in all this," she [said]. '"Never. Let them take their best shot."' She later said she had been worn down by the scrutiny.

Goldberg denied allegations made in the media that she was part of a vast right wing conspiracy to bring down the presidency of Bill Clinton. When Jeffrey Toobin published his 1999 book, A Vast Conspiracy, that also alleged Goldberg had told friends that she had an affair with Lyndon Johnson, and a Washington Post writer claimed he and others had overheard Goldberg bragging about an affair with Vice President Hubert Humphrey as well, Goldberg threatened Toobin and Random House with a libel suit, denied both affairs, and denied telling any such stories.

Goldberg was subpoenaed to testify before a Maryland grand jury that was contemplating indicting Tripp for having made the recordings. Under Maryland law, knowledge that such recordings were illegal was a necessary element of the crime. Goldberg explained that she had given Tripp incorrect advice, telling her it was legal to make secret recordings. Charges against Tripp were later dropped.

Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore later set up a webcam focused on the windows of Goldberg's Manhattan apartment, that he called "I See Lucy Cam". Moore's project did not violate New York State's laws. Claiming that Goldberg did not respect the privacy rights of other people, Moore wrote, "`[s]he believes in keeping an eye on persons who are a threat to the country. So do we.'"

Later career[edit]
Goldberg was a prominent presence on the conservative website, Free Republic in the late 1990s, posting under the name "Trixie". She and other conservatives, including Matt Drudge, left the site when the webmaster, in Goldberg's words, "let all the Y2K, gun-nut, Jew-baiting crazies take over [the forum] and flame the plain-old conservatives. She then founded her own website, "Lucianne.com" , and for a time, was a nationally syndicated talk radio host whose show featured a Washington correspondent.

[struggle4progress]

121. Oh, look! She bought a lifetime free pass into the limelight!

I don't need to have much of an opinion one way or another about anything she says

[Fairgo]

127. Finding the man behind the act

Bill Clinton had an idea....to leverage sexual services from an INTERN while sitting in the oval office...the very seat of world power. Stop and think. What kind of mind comes up with that thought in the first place? Where did this behaviour come from? The thought is part and parcel of personality. The behaviour was well practiced.

That's the real take away here. He gets off on power. Lewinsky was just the next bon-bon in a series of piccadillos that were more about his power fetish than sex. He's not a hopeless romantic or a (nudge-nudge, slap on the back) horn dog good old boy. There is a serial pattern to the behaviour. He is the alpha super predator. Its not about the sex, its about control, and getting away with it everytime with as much swagger as possible. His act, much like Cosby's, is criminal. His wife is no fool and no victim.

You elect these two at your peril.

[840high]

198. His escapades were well

known in Arkansas. (and beyond)

[Rex]

131. I have to admit, at one time I thought her as a total opportunist.

However after hearing her on TED, I am glad I was completely wrong about her. She used a low point in her life to help others by teaching about bullying. Good for her, more power to her!

[NYC Liberal]

146. Right-wing nut jobs continue to bring up their old smears.

They have been out to destroy the Clintons - and anyone associated with them - for several decades.

They (led by Ken Starr) dragged Monica Lewinsky out into the public spotlight, making her an innocent bystander to their obsession with bringing down Bill Clinton.

[840high]

200. It speaks to the Clintons lack

of character.

[NYC Liberal]

209. It speaks to right-wing desperation.

Liberals certainly aren't pushing this crap.

[840high]

211. Don't be a hypocrite - if a

republican had done this you'd be screaming in a New York minute.

[Warren DeMontague]

147. She's aged better than he has.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

155. Yeah, she doesn't wander around voting precincts with a bullhorn ...

... like some latter-day raving prophet.

[Warren DeMontague]

157. I've always liked that guy.

But his behavior this cycle has been downright bizarre.

[Warren Stupidity]

151. Isn't she in her 40s?

[OilemFirchen]

153. ...

Lucy Mercer, Margaret 'Daisy' Suckleym, Princess Martha of Sweden, Dorothy Schiff and
Marguerite 'Missy' LaHand should start trending soon.

Did Franklin ever apologize to these women? Eleanor?

[MFM008]

154. Yeah shes terrific

Maybe Sanders will think of making her his VP selection.

[snooper2]

219. ROFLMAO - Not a good idea, she might be "triggered" by entering the White House again!

" But when something hits a core trauma – I actually got really retriggered. After that I couldn’t go more than three days without thinking about the FBI sting that happened in ’98.”"

LOL- Great for your article there Monica, and your "speaking gigs"...milk it!

Now, hold on while I pose for this photo shoot!

[Dont call me Shirley]

156. "Later, she emails to explain why she didn’t walk away in the school playground – and why we

read the negative comments. “I guess I was in shock,” she writes. “Psychologists speak about freezing as a response to a traumatic event. I was probably more afraid of the imagined pain of being completely outcast than the pain I was experiencing in that moment."

We freeze because trauma causes our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical bodies to become disconnected from each other all at once. They become unable to communicate freely with each other causing physical "freezing" or shock. The bodies remain disconnected, even though we move through life seemingly normally, until the issue of the trauma is effectively dealt with.

EMDR therapy enables the bodies to realign and begin to function in proper synchronicity again.

[dr60omg]

158. I was raped by a teacher I was told I tried to seduce him because he was a good family man

These are incommensurate power relationships ... An intern became involved with the President. How could she not? Actually she was a rather naive girl from a wealthy family (ironic because her dad is Honduran I wonder if it possibly had anything to do with what Secy Clinton precipitated there later on ) As an intern you are overwhelmed how can you say no to the most powerful man in the world.
Lewinsky never wanted to come forward she kept it to herself and she was vilified in the most reprehensible ways (even though there is a long line of women who have accused Clinton of the same things)

And yet Hillary Clinton says we must take accusations of rape and sexual improprieties seriously ... did she?
A young woman''s life has been ruined and as a feminist I am supposed to stand in solidarity with the person who did this to her and his wife? And, they did try to buy her off with a job offer in NYC like anything else with the Clintons it is dirty

As a Jew to watch Chelsea get married under a chuppah to a hedge fund manager whose dad is doing time in jail for the same thing sickened me as I thought of Monica Lewinsky

[justiceischeap]

161. Sorry, I have to draw the line here

I'm sorry you were raped but Monica Lewinsky was not raped. She lusted after a man of power. She was in her 20's. It was consensual. To try and equate this situation to rape does a disservice to people who have been raped and/or sexually assaulted (as I was). Don't blur the lines--we have enough problems around her with people not understanding what rape actually is by saying consensual sex is comparable.

[840high]

201. .So sorry.

[justiceischeap]

160. I lived through the Lewinsky scandal and remember thinking at the time (and still thinking)

who the fuck cares? It's not our business who breaks their marriage vows. It's not our business if a young 20-something woman is starry-eyed and full of lust wanting to bag herself a Presidential married man. When this happened it was about politics. When it's trotted out, like now, it's about politics. No one who trots it out really cares about morals or the high ground or bravery... all they care about is scoring political points. Hell, it's happening right here in this thread.

For those talking about how scandalous it was for Bill Clinton, the President of the United States, to have an affair with an intern, turn over some historical rocks and realize that he isn't the first, and probably won't be the last, President to have had affairs with employees/interns/others while a sitting President. I can think of two others off the top of my head: Kennedy and Johnson both were known for their extra-marital activity while in office, after having left office. The difference was the decorum of politics back then... it was something that wasn't spoken about in the press because it wasn't the publics' business (and it still isn't).

As far as Clinton lying about the affair? If I were the type of person who had affairs, and was married, I'm sure I'd lie about it too. Imagine being a serial philanderer and having to admit to your wife, who has stuck by you, that once again, you had an affair? I'm sure the first thing about the situation that comes to mind is honesty. <= Sarcasm.

As far as Lewinsky goes, she was a grown ass woman and though she didn't have vows to maintain, I'd think a 20-something would know it's wrong to sleep with married people. Anyone who sleeps with a married person knows it's wrong. Just because they didn't take vows doesn't make them less culpable... it takes two to tango and Lewinsky wasn't without blame. That doesn't mean I believe she "deserved what she got" for being found out--I think I already established it was no ones business other than the involved parties--but had she not kept the blue dress, had she not confided in Tripp, she would have happily worked those 10 years, never had gone through the public shaming and wouldn't be a topic of conversation today. In this instance, I blame the "victim" a wee bit in this situation 'cause she was just plain ass stupid thinking she could "share" her affair with the President of the United States and it not get out to the public in some way.

[pnwmom]

171. She is an attention-seeker who hates the woman she competed with.

Why does she only pop up when Hillary is running? This isn't a coincidence.

There is no reason to feel sorry for her. She wants all the publicity that she's getting now.

[apnu]

173. Utter crap.

[Odin2005]

176. What a load of misogynist, blame-the-victim crap.

[pnwmom]

182. Hillary did NOT victimize her. Hillary was the wife, and both Monica and Bill wronged Hillary.

With respect to the Rethugs who used her, yes, she was a victim.

[Logical]

208. Terrible post, wow, are you terrible. Nt

[Mc Mike]

184. Linda Tripp's kinda wonderful, too.

[Monk06]

185. Two words Blue Dress

How many victims move the Washington with the stated objective of becoming a page and making political and employment connections and then proceed to go out of their way to be close to the President of the the United States for personal gain?

With the encouragement of her parents

White house employees made note of her concerted effort to be in Bill Clinton's presence

Of course he is a dick for getting involved but she went out of her way to make herself available and acted like a political groupie

On to the infamous Blue Dress

She enters into a friendship with privileges with the President has numerous encounters of an oral nature and conveniently saves his sperm on her blue dress which she doesn't bother to wash for two years

Then she offers the dress to a Senate committee investigating a relationship that she announced to the media

Call me cynical but my impression when all this was unfolding was that she was part of a preconceived plan by enemies of the Clinton's to bring them down after Whitewater failed to show any results

She is an opportunist and I have no sympathy for her whatsoever

[Reter]

190. Young?

She'll be 43.

[nolabear]

191. I read this right after reading the thread about how Free Republic is still obsessed.

I suppose titillation is universal, as are high horses, entitled opinions and the gleeful use of things that smear people you're opposed to with guilt by association. Sounds to me like Monica has matured and gained perspective. How refreshing.

[MrMickeysMom]

197. Actually, it's a good piece...

When you're hit hard, it either kills you or makes you stronger, and THAT IS THE TRUTH.

[Logical]

205. So true, and taken advantage by an asshole IMO! Nt

[Hekate]

215. "Young"? You mean she's stuck in a time-warp and is still the horny 21 year old out to get...

...."her presidential knee pads" like she told her college roomie?