Crofton Online: SunWatch
Republicans Insist on International Humiliation of U.S. As House Committee Splits On Party Lines

Hyde Admits to Long Running Affair That Destroyed Family;
More "Secret" Grand Jury Testimony To Be Released;
World Cringes, Tabloids Gleeful As Witch hunt Continues

The House Judiciary Committee voted today [September 18] to release the videotape of President Clinton's 'secret' grand jury testimony before the Starr Inquisition panel.

Meanwhile, Judiciary Committee chairman Republican Henry Hyde admitted that he had a long running extramarital affair while both he and the woman involved were married to other people. The affair destroyed the woman's family. Incredibly, Republicans called press discussion of the affair an invasion of personal privacy. Hyde did not provide specific graphic details of the sexual activities he had engaged in.

Earlier this month, elaborate security arrangements had been made to broadcast the President's testimony live on closed circuit television to the grand jury so that there would be no need for a tape. At the last minute, tobacco lobbyist Kenneth Starr turned on his VCR and taped the testimony anyway. This is the tape that will now be duplicated, released, and broadcast world wide on Monday morning.

Republican Starr has dropped even the pretext of obeying the law requiring grand jury secrecy, once again thumbing his nose at both federal statute and the public.

Political analysts expect broadcast of the tape to help supporters of the President, as public outrage at Republican Starr and the media continues to grow. Reportedly, Starr's investigators were caught on the tape demanding specific, graphic details from the President regarding his private life.


Read what noted media critic and author Jon Katz says about the battle between the press and the public.


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