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Contrary to reports by the tabloid press, Monica Lewinsky's testimony before Kenneth Starr's grand jury actually confirmed public and private statements previously made by President Clinton about their relationship. Lewinsky, according to sources, clearly stated that she never engaged in "sexual relations" with Clinton. She confirmed that both she and Clinton considered the term "sexual relations" to mean sexual intercourse and that they did not engage in sexual intercourse. She did confirm, however, that she performed oral sex on the President twelve times during the course of their relationship. In addition, Lewinsky stated clearly and emphatically that the President never asked her to lie about their relationship, although both had agreed that it would be best not to publicly discuss the nature of their relationship. [In a related development, a federal appeals court has found "prima facie" evidence that Kenneth Starr repeatedly leaked grand jury information to the press in direct violation of federal law. The ruling clears the way for a lower court judge to continue the process of determining the exact nature of Mr. Starr's illegal activities and to impose severe criminal sanctions. This came as no surprise, as Mr. Starr had already publicly acknowledged he was the source of repeated, illegal leaks of grand jury information to the tabloid press.] To help clarify public conception of the meaning of the term "sexual relations," Crofton Online interviewed two Arundel High School girls. The text of that interview follows. Crofton Online: Are you a virgin? Girl One: Yes. Girl Two: Yes. Crofton Online: Have you ever had sexual relations? Girl One: You just asked me that, didn't you? No, I have never had sexual relations. As I said, I'm a virgin. Girl Two: Ditto. Crofton Online: Have you ever been on a date with a boy? Girl One: Oh, come on. Of course I have. Do I look like a nerd or something? Girl Two: I'm not dating anyone right now, but I've dated several different boys in the past. I just broke up with my steady last week. Crofton Online: This next question is about the boy that each of you dated for the longest period of time. Was the relationship you had sexual? Girl One: It depends on what you mean by sexual. Girl Two: Same here. Crofton Online: Did you ever kiss your boyfriend? Girl One: Yup. Girl Two: Sure. Crofton Online: Did your boyfriend ever become sexually aroused when he was with you? Girl One: Sure. I'm attractive. We're both normal people. Why wouldn't he get aroused occasionally? Crofton Online: What were you doing when he became aroused? Girl One: We were parked. We were kissing, maybe groping a little bit. What is your point? Crofton Online: And how about you? Did your boyfriend ever become sexually aroused when he was with you? Girl Two: Sure. Crofton Online: So the relationships between you and your boyfriends were sexual in nature? Girl One: It was a sexual relationship, but we did not engage in sexual relations. Crofton Online: Did any of your "activities" with your boyfriends ever result in sexual climax for them? Girl One: (Embarrassed laughter.) Well, yes, once or twice. I even got a little on my dress. Girl Two: Actually we both did a few times. We got pretty good at knowing each other's bodies. Crofton Online: But you are both still virgins? Girl One and Girl Two in unison: Absolutely. Girl One: Do you want a note from my doctor? Crofton Online: Did you tell your parents about what you were doing? Girl One: No. Girl Two: Of course not. Crofton Online: Why not? Girl One: I don't think it's any of their business, really. I consider myself an adult. Girl Two: I just don't have the kind of relationship with my parents where I could tell them stuff like that. Crofton Online: What would you tell your parents if they asked you, "Have you ever had sexual relations with your boyfriend?" Girl One: I would say no, since, as I told you, I haven't had sex with him. Crofton Online: So, what you are saying is, the relationship with your boyfriend was a sexual relationship, but you did not have sexual relations with him? Girl One: I guess so, yes. Crofton Online: And how about you? If you meet someone that you really like, and the two of you fall in love, and he asks you, have you ever had sexual relations before, what will you tell him? Girl Two: I'll tell him no, because I haven't. Crofton Online: Will you tell him about parking, and achieving orgasm? Girl Two: (Embarrassed laugh.) No, of course not. It really wouldn't be any of his business. Now picture essentially this same conversation going on between Ken Starr and his "prosecutors," and Monica Lewinsky. But, of course, add his repeated, very real threats of long jail terms for both her and her mother. Now picture the same conversation going on between Ken Starr and his "prosecutors," and the President of the United States. Ridiculous? Of course it is ridiculous. Ridiculous to everyone except Starr and his rich right wing extremist benefactor, intent on destroying one of the most effective Presidents we've had in twenty years. Ridiculous, but, shockingly, very real. Now picture a fifty plus year old man confronted in private by a reasonably attractive twenty-one year old. After some innocent flirting, the woman attempts to perform oral sex on the man. Remember, no one else is present, and the man is absolutely sure that no one will walk in. How many men do you know who would say no? I certainly know some who would say no, but I also know a lot who would say not only yes, but hell yes. Let me remind you that Lyndon Johnson fathered an illegitimate black child. This is a matter of public record. Remember also that John F. Kennedy had numerous affairs, including one with Marilyn Monroe. Remember that, despite being married, Dwight D. Eisenhower had a long term affair with a woman who worked for him during World War II. Remember that Franklin D. Roosevelt died in the arms of his mistress, not in the arms of his wife. Thomas Jefferson also fathered a child by one of his slaves. Even Jimmy Carter, certainly one of the most moral Presidents this country has ever seen, admitted, to the snickers of the tabloid press, that he had "lust in his heart." None of this is to say whether these behaviors are right or wrong, and I'm certainly not arguing that because other Presidents have done it, that makes it right. What I am saying is that sex is a normal, healthy part of life, and that as long as it doesn't involve a minor, or forced sex, that it is none of our business. And it certainly isn't the business of a "special prosecutor" with absolutely no morals, whose only goal is to carry out the instructions of a rich white political fascist. The President of the United States did not lie. He did not ask anyone else to lie. He merely tried to retain a small amount of privacy and dignity in the face of an outrageous, purely political attack from an admitted criminal, Kenneth Starr. |