Lights! Camera! Action! The first step in the making of the next Hollywood blockbuster? The director of “ER” setting up another award-winning, action-packed episode? No, this traditionally theatric expression applies all too well for something that has even more drama than either of those— coverage of the “Clinton scandal.” Well, his most recent scandal. Since his 1992 campaign, President Clinton has been besieged with accusations of infidelity and dishonesty. From Gennifer Flowers to Paula Jones to Monica Lewinsky, Clinton has been hounded with questions of his faithfulness, sexual activities and even where he has birthmarks. Lewinsky, the newest to hop in the long line of accusors, could very possibly be the most detrimental to our illustrious president. She claims that she not only had sex with President Clinton, but that he asked her to lie about their actions. If her claims are believed — with the assistance of some tapes detailing exactly how she was going to lie (pass the Watergate, anyone?) — Clinton could not only be found guilty of infidelity by the American public, but of perjury in a court of law. In other words, if Lewinsky can be believed, Clinton’s in trouble. A lot of trouble. If Clinton is found guilty, or could be found guilty, he will have to either resign or face possible impeachment. So everyone is watching to find out if our elected leader is an unfaithful liar. We all want to know ... did he really have sex with Lewinsky? But what’s the real reason that the entire nation wants to know the answer to that question? It’s not because they’re worried about the ability of our leader (fewer than 50 percent of eligible voters even bothered to vote in the 1996 election) and it’s certainly not out of concern for his poor family. The American public wants to be entertained. They want to sit down at their TV and watch the ongoing “sex scandal” negotiations, not learn about how Clinton has balanced the budget. Americans understand sex, they understand dishonesty ... they don’t care about a possible war in the Persian Gulf. It’s easy to “support our troops,” but how about supporting the people who keep our troops out of harm’s way? It’s so easy to simply wonder if Clinton cheated on his wife. It’s easy to understand, because it’s a staple subject of daytime television. There’s no effort needed, no real attention span required, to understand the Lewinsky case. We’re entertained for a good half an hour and then we can trot comfortably off to bed, with full understanding of what’s going on. In other words, the American public doesn’t really want to know what’s going on. They don’t care about the budget, rising tensions in the Middle East or expansion of NATO. They don’t want to take the time to understand any of those problems. They want to watch the Lewinsky case closely not because it’s real news, but because it’s easy. Americans, as usual, have shown their willingness to sacrifice actual knowledge for entertainment. So, get used to “Lights. Camera. Action!” It’s going to be quite a show. |
