IT'S TIME TO RELEASE TAPE, START HEALINGS

It is not about me. It is about the people of this country. ..." [UNITAL.

-- President Bill Clinton, Sept. 17, 1998

In these words, we have found common ground with the president. The appalling scenario unfolding in Washington isn't so much about the current occupant of the White House he has so defiled as it is about us as Americans: How do we regard ourselves? What kind of country do we mean to have? Is America a beacon to the world, "a shining city on a hill" in the inspirational phrase of a former president? Or shall we embrace, say, Jerry Springer as our cultural lodestar, and an O.J. in the Oval Office?

That President Clinton is an utter disgrace is now widely accepted -- even, really, beyond contest. More and more commentators have observed the amazing fact of no resignations from this administration.

As for the burning issue of the moment -- whether to release the president's grand jury testimony -- why not? Why, after all, is there a videotape at all? The answer is that the president -- in negotiations with independent counsel Ken Starr -- demanded and got this concession, this exception from the duty of all supoenaed witnesses to show up at the courthouse in person. He would do it on videotape, with his lawyer present -- itself still another concession unavailable to other witnesses. Why should Americans be denied the evidence gathered pursuant to our laws and for which our taxes have paid?

President Clinton stoutly maintains he will never do the honorable thing and resign. Fine. It is left to the Congress to face its constitutional duty and begin the inevitable impeachment inquiry. There is today lots of nonsense floating around concerning a "constitutional crisis." But impeachment is provided for in the Constitution itself for, as it says in the Book of Ruth, just "such a time as this." And impeachment isn't about punishment. It is about political and governmental hygiene. It is about a cleansing and restorative process for the constitutional republic.

The most amazing things being said these days are voiced by the president's defenders. Consider comments from last weekend by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. "He lies by being technically accurate," said Frank of the president. "`I didn't inhale,' ... is just not worthy of him and everybody sees through it. He's not 14 any more trying to outsmart the principal."

Well, yes and no. The objective facts are that Bill Clinton is 52 and fills a lofty position long associated with solemn obligation and sacred trust. But in another crucial sense he never stopped being "... 14 ... trying to outsmart the principal."

As for that latter task, was anyone ever so good at it? Mr. Clinton has spent his whole life in one gigantic attempt to wink at, ignore and skate around the rules that apply to everyone else. Not for nothing do they call him "Slick Willie."

It is time for Congress to release the videotape and begin impeachment hearings.