LETTERS: FOCUS ON MORALS, NOT THE PRESIDENT

To the editor:

We as Americans are no doubt facing a time that will long be remembered in history. We have already lived through so many embarrassing moments for our country. And it appears that is far from over. Yes, I am talking about Bill Clinton. I am a senior at Central High School, and I am disgusted and ashamed of our president. I am even more disgusted with those who seem to condone this behavior or label it OK. This is such a negative period that is affecting the entire nation and the world.

One of my biggest fears from this whole ordeal is what it is doing to politics and public service as a whole. I am all for taking this matter as far as it must go to uphold justice and the Constitution. But if it is not over soon, I fear no one in his right mind will run for public office in the future.

People have argued that these matters are not the business of the public. You better believe its our business. He is in a public office. Notice the word public. As long as he works for us, we have a right to know what he is doing. Treason, bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors are what the Constitution states as reasons for impeachment. Perjury is a felony. If I committed perjury, I could be thrown in prison. Obstructing justice and abuse of power are also clearly wrong. Maybe Mr. Clinton didn't commit treason, but in my opinion he did compromise national security by allowing Ms. Lewinsky to be in his office while he was on the phone with a congressperson. Do we realize how easily information could have leaked? This is only one example of the disregard he has shown for the position of president.

I also think that it is interesting to point out that as long as a person holds a public office, the people have the right to remove him from that office. Liberals put him there, and we, the American people, have the right to remove him at any point when we feel he is no longer doing the job that we put him there for. This is a basic idea that our forefathers had.

And what is with all of this trying to define sex? The Constitution was designed to be flexible. That is why it has held up so well, virtually unchanged, all these years. But about the word sex. We all know what it is. Mr. Clinton knew what it was. His actions are obviously sexually immoral. The Bible makes this very clear: Flee from sexual immorality (I Corinthians 6:18). This includes not only intercourse, but all sexual sins of the body and the mind. This in and of itself is not impeachable. It is clearly wrong, but it is not impeachable. Lying under oath is impeachable. It appears that Mr. Clinton only cares for himself. He hasn't had the dignity to tell the truth. He didnt tell the truth last year, and he didn't tell the truth just the other day when he spoke to the nation. The man is sick. He just cannot bring himself to tell the truth. He does not want to save the country from going through this crisis. No, that would open him up for prosecution. Hed much rather save himself than spare the nation. He has seen many of his Arkansas buddies go down for similar actions. So how does he think that he is not under the same law? Why would any patriot want to waste all of our time, energy and money on this trial? Is that looking out for the welfare of the nation like he swore to do? No, certainly not. Another question that has been raised is why can we not forgive Mr. Clinton. We can forgive, but we are still responsible for our actions. He doesn't want to take responsibility for his actions. People can be forgiven, but they must suffer the consequences. The most disheartening thing I have noticed is some of the responses that Americans have made is they say it is just about sex. This isn't about sex. It is about lying under oath. The topic is sex, but it could have been anything: drugs, gambling. I have also heard people say that it isn't a big deal, so what? Have people forgotten right and wrong? Are people insane? I have to wonder when they make a comment like that. Sooner or later -- sooner, I hope -- Mr. Clinton will be gone. But this country will continue, and it is very sad to see the immoral ways of life that so many people are accepting and condoning as normal. So what now? Impeachment? Removal from office? Resignation (could we be so lucky)? Whatever is in store for us, we do not know. There is an old song called "Should I Stay or Should I Go." I was wondering if this has been playing over the White House P.A. system. All politics aside for a moment, it doesn't t really matter what happens next. Yes, I would like to see Mr. Clinton impeached and removed from office, but either way, Mr. Clinton will be gone. The bigger issue and the most important thing that we have to learn from this is how we live our lives as people of God's creation and citizens of this country. I am talking to everyone in America. But I am especially talking to people my age and younger and to parents. Everyone must know that what Mr. Clinton and all his cronies have done is wrong. It is not OK. It is not acceptable. This country and this world will not survive if this degrading of values, these immoral ways of life and these sins continue. We must center our lives in Christ and strive to live a God-pleasing life. Mr. Clinton will have to worry about himself. We cannot worry about him. We have enough to worry about: ourselves. Our goals should be traditional values, moral living and a life that is focused on Christ. Teach this. Remember this. Don't think too much about Mr. Clinton and his scandals I know I don't. Instead, focus on how you, with the help of God, can live a life that is positive and contrary to Mr. Clinton's actions. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things (Philippians 4:8). By the way: Impeach.

MATTHEW R. YOUNGHOUSE

Cape Girardeau