the progressive ideal, don't get it twisted. And i have no qualms at all with him being criticized and called out when he messes up. He was infinitely better for America and for African Americans in particular, than Bush the Elder, or Ronald Satan. But he also did more than his share in propping up the status quo. The cynical gamesmanship of allowing the killitary industrial complex to continue to grow unabated is inexcusable, for one (remember all those speeches in which he one-upped the republicans by saying that he'd give the pentagon even more money than their greedy asses asked for?). I didn't check out all the pardons that he handed down, but he had a couple commendable ones, like the pardons of the two black women railroaded under the republican-led (and democratic abetted) mandatory minimum sentencing laws. That was cool. But to also hand out pardons to multimillionaire financiers convicted of fraud, and a whole list of other unsavory cats like that? Uncool.

if you believe the clippings on the man, one of his primary motiviations has been the need to be historically significant -- its why he kept trying to revive Arab/Israeli summits up until his last hours in the oval office. given that inclination, how could he self-justify a whole bunch of pardons that give the appearance of some type of quid pro quo arrangement? he either a) didn't think anyone would notice, b) truly believed they were the right thing to do (ha), or c) did it on purpose to stick his middle finger up at the republicans.

i'm picking (c).

on libertarians:

they're a funny bunch, but consistent. like dude said, depending the issue, they're likely to come down on the side of the traditional left or right, but i tend to view the slant as more right leaning, since, in my view, pure fiscal conservatism works to the detriment of people of color, poor people, the middle class, and well, the majority of people of the world.

but like i said they're consistent. they will break ranks w/ get tough law and order types on the 4th ammendment, and will stand up against intrusive law enforcement. they're also likely (in my experience) to favor decriminalization of victimless crimes like drug use. where i differ with them is on taxes, the role of government, etc. i personally have no probs paying taxes, providing my government (governor, dog catcher, president, whoeva) does reasonable shit with my money. i'm not under the illusion that i'm going to agree with EVERYTHING they do, but as long as its reasonably in the best interest of society, provides value, and addresses some of my needs/concerns, i can tolerate it. its a necessary evil under capitalism. i can have $50, but i can't go out and build a road. if everybody in the county puts their $50, though, we can build a road, nahmean?

also, the decentralization of government and all that laissez faire hoopla places a degree of trust in our fellow men/women that i feel is naive. this is where i differ w/ any fiscal conservative, because they usually (generalization based upon years of reading editorials, plus conversations with people who parrot said editorials) will run some line like the only color is green, and that the market can take care of things like discrimination, etc, because they don't make economic sense. well we have hundreds of years of history of the folks in power in this country (gov't and private citizens/companies) doing things exactly opposite to their best interest because their racial animus supercedes their need to make a buck.

but then again, the aclu is mad consistent too, and i don't agree with everything they say by a long stretch either. protecting the klan's right to march and shit, they can catch a brick, quick.

to net it out: 1) if bill was wrong, he was wrong. i have no problems recognizing the good that he did while others point out his failings.

2) i usually disagree with libertarians on political stuff, but give them props for consistencies sake. the difference btw them and republicans is that republicans are for no government on fiscal matters and big government on moral matters (abortion, etc...). libertarians are for no government at all (so i only disagree w/ them half as much). :-)

peace & blessings,

x.