How can the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal be compared to Watergate and Iran-Contra, direct violations of

[Dpm12]

the law? Granted, Clinton did a disgusting thing, there was no reason whatsoever he should have been unfaithful to his wife like that, but what Clinton did wasn't for political gain, he was just a horny crotchdog. Nixon, if he didn't like someone, harassed them by sending them fake bills from the IRS and sent agents to break into the Watergate hotel to steal files and money, and to bug phones. Reagan did a complete violation of the law by selling weapons to Iran, and using the proceeds to arm the Contras in Guatemala, both of which were illegal. Yes, Clinton was wrong too, but he cheated on his wife. What he did wasn't for political gain. How Conservatives could even compare the Lewinsky scandal to Watergate and Iran-Contra is beyond me.

[Recursion]

1. Both involved lying to Congress, the public, and a court?

I don't think there's that much of a comparison, but their similarity is that the coverup ends up having more fallout than the underlying offense.

For that matter Nixon could have probably been fine if he said "This Liddy guy is a crazy person; I don't know where he got the idea for a break-in from."

[el_bryanto]

2. Conservatives believe themselves to be the party of honesty and morality

Look at what they did to Al Gore - a pretty straight arrow guy in congress, a pretty straight arrow guy as VP, a pathological liar as Candidate (at least according to conservatives and the Press), and a pretty straight arrow guy as ex-candidate.

The slightest problem with a Democrat is seen as evidence of our parties deep moral failings, while the most horrendous crimes commited by Republicans are overlooked or excused.

Kind of like we do with Obama's assassination drone program.

Bryant

[blm]

3. IranContra and BCCI were serious crimes against the Constitution. Far more serious than Watergate.

Of course, Republicans and their lazy-minded media whores will pretend equivalence to Clinton's sexual indiscretions - it's all they have.

[Dpm12]

4. What's

BCCI?

[think]

6. banking scandal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/may/17/bcci-scandal-long-legal-wranglings

[blm]

7. The key to the last 50yrs of BushInc's covert dealings.

Corporate media would like to press the narrative that it was just a complicated banking scandal with nothing of interest to the citizenry.....BUT....BCCI matters actually included other scandals like IranContra, CIA drug running, funding of global terrorism, and even led to exposing of S&L crimes. 9-11 has its roots in BCCI.

https://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1992_rpt/bcci/

BCCI is the reason many powerful people (including a few powerful Dems) needed to keep Kerry out of the WH.

Artist Mark Lombardi's graphics were based in great part to BCCI documents and testimony.
http://www.albany.edu/museum/wwwmuseum/work/lombardi/

[NCTraveler]

5. "what Clinton did wasn't for political gain, he was just a horny crotchdog."

I am not saying he isn't a horny crotchdog, but it seems to me much of it was about power. That has always been my problem with it. They were not in a setting where they could be defined as equals in any way.

You are of course right with the rest.

[ronnie624]

8. Nicaragua, not Guatemala.

But I can't disagree with the rest.

[Va Lefty]

9. Clinton's "real" crime, as far as republicans were concerned

was winning 2 elections. They did everything they could to delegitimize him from day one

[Gorp]

10. But sending thousands of troops to die in Iraq and Afghanistan is NOTHING...

... compared to getting a blow job from a moderately attractive woman in a blue dress. Isn't that how it is SUPPOSED to be?

Edit: It should be obvious that W was never in danger of getting a blow job.

[Berlum]

11. If only...Big Dog had been into Diaper Sex with Hookers

He would have gotten a Standing Ovation from the Republican Party. That's what they're into.