ONE of my newsroom associates irritated the heck out of me earlier this week. Standing in my office doorway while sipping a cola, he nonchalantly asked if the allegation made by former state worker Paula Jones -- that then Gov. Bill Clinton propositioned her in an Arkansas hotel room -- was believable. What to make of
Paula Jones’ allegationMy face puckered into a frown, and not because of the sour orange I was eating. "Of course, it's believable," was my exasperated response, as the orange peel hit the trash can with a little too much gusto. Here's why:
First, President Clinton has a history of cheating on his wife. Longtime gal pal Gennifer Flowers wrote a detailed book about their romantic trysts, and had tapes of their telephone conversations, for goodness sake. Even the candidate himself acknowledged, during his first campaign, some semblance of marital difficulties which may have led to an occasional dalliance.
Second, why would Jones make up such a lurid charge? Why would any seemingly rational woman come forward to say that the president of the United States had once dropped his pants and asked for oral sex? For what reason would she lie: For the attention? Money? Celebrity?
No amount of any of these is worth being ridiculed by journalists, talk-show hosts, feminists and citizens from all across the country, and being called names like "liar" and "trailer-park trash."
This is not to say individuals with dark, ulterior motives (aka Republicans) aren't egging Jones on. The GOP would love to see Clinton dragged through a public trial -- where all of the tawdry little details would lead the national news every night. But even the GOP is not dumb enough to manufacture something like this. Its members are smart enough, however, to encourage Jones to sing like a birdie.
Third, nobody in her right mind would ask for the same treatment that befell another "he-did-it" informer, Anita Hill. This learned law professor reluctantly took the stand during the confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas, a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, and got her okole kicked. Her reputation suffered after she accused Thomas of making crude, sexual comments directed at her and in her presence several years earlier.
One, two, three. Three reasons that Ms. Jones' allegations are credible. Three strikes and you're out, Mr. President.
Too bad my newsroom associate didn't hang around long enough to debate the issue. He doesn't know the real reason that I was irritated by his query.
It wasn't because he had asked me if I thought Paula Jones was telling the truth. The more perturbing point is whether the majority of Americans care whether Paula Jones is telling the truth. The answer is no.
NEED proof? President Clinton got re-elected. Jones continues to be painted as a gold-digger and opportunist. Feminists aren't flocking to her defense. The general public sees this entire affair as, well, a private affair as opposed to a sordid misuse of gubernatorial power.
Justice Clarence Thomas sits on the highest court in the land, while Anita Hill's name elicits a smirk of recognition.
Most disturbing, though, are the thousands of other women like Anita Hill and Paula Jones, whose accusations of sexual harassment will never, ever be taken seriously as long as the Y chromosome runs the show.
So what if I and a few other people believe them? Society never does.