Bill Clinton: What We Learned in Oklahoma City

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/opinion/19clinton.html?hp

What We Learned in Oklahoma City

By BILL CLINTON
Published: April 18, 2010

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In the wake of the bombing, Oklahoma City prompted Congress to approve most of the proposals I submitted to develop a stronger and more systematic approach to defending our nation and its citizens against terrorism, an effort that continues today, as we saw with President Obama’s impressive international summit meeting last week to secure all sources of nuclear material that can be made into bombs.

Finally, we should never forget what drove the bombers, and how they justified their actions to themselves. They took to the ultimate extreme an idea advocated in the months and years before the bombing by an increasingly vocal minority: the belief that the greatest threat to American freedom is our government, and that public servants do not protect our freedoms, but abuse them. On that April 19, the second anniversary of the assault of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, deeply alienated and disconnected Americans decided murder was a blow for liberty.

Americans have more freedom and broader rights than citizens of almost any other nation in the world, including the capacity to criticize their government and their elected officials. But we do not have the right to resort to violence — or the threat of violence — when we don’t get our way. Our founders constructed a system of government so that reason could prevail over fear. Oklahoma City proved once again that without the law there is no freedom.

Criticism is part of the lifeblood of democracy. No one is right all the time. But we should remember that there is a big difference between criticizing a policy or a politician and demonizing the government that guarantees our freedoms and the public servants who enforce our laws.

We are again dealing with difficulties in a contentious, partisan time. We are more connected than ever before, more able to spread our ideas and beliefs, our anger and fears. As we exercise the right to advocate our views, and as we animate our supporters, we must all assume responsibility for our words and actions before they enter a vast echo chamber and reach those both serious and delirious, connected and unhinged.

Civic virtue can include harsh criticism, protest, even civil disobedience. But not violence or its advocacy. That is the bright line that protects our freedom. It has held for a long time, since President George Washington called out 13,000 troops in response to the Whiskey Rebellion.

Fifteen years ago, the line was crossed in Oklahoma City. In the current climate, with so many threats against the president, members of Congress and other public servants, we owe it to the victims of Oklahoma City, and those who survived and responded so bravely, not to cross it again.



Bill Clinton, the founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation, was the 42nd president of the United States.

This should bring howls of outrage from the delirious and unhinged.

Why is he all over the TV now? Enough! :(

was the President then? Why not save your wrath for when you see Cheney all over the TV. :eyes:

Do you even understand the message? Some people here in Oklahoma certainly do, so how 'bout you chill out? Jeez louise.

the months after this tragic event?

Get real. Bill loves the damn camera and mugs at every chance. After enduring eight years of him, I've had enough. It was difficult enough to vote for the man over a third party, it's disgusting that he doesn't realize that his time upon the stage is through. :(

to OTHER HORRIFIC actions conducted by the Federal Government against our own citizens.

Although Clinton is a gifted speaker, he is also a completely corrupt tool of the OLD MACHINE.

He brought us the SHAFTA called NAFTA.

people forgot what provoked TM, who was a Flag waving true blue vet at one point of his life. Something turned this guy around!

everything is connected,........

was president?

Edit to add McVeigh quote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVeigh

"The government is afraid of the guns people have because they have to have control of the people at all times. Once you take away the guns, you can do anything to the people. You give them an inch and they take a mile. I believe we are slowly turning into a socialist government. The government is continually growing bigger and more powerful and the people need to prepare to defend themselves against government control."

Bash Clinton all you want, but he wasn't the problem.

I think it was more the sight of a super power army attacking civilians in their home. We as a nation could have waited them out until they walked out by one and then put them on trial for laws broken. What Janet Reno did was massive overkill,

The abuse of power was a little like taking the Space Shuttle to Wall Mart for a six pack of beer. Then that shit at RUBY RIDGE!
Force was used to a fatal extent. Again, in time these people would walk out.

This level of force was not warrented in either case and thats my opinion.

.

dont forget once he was in office the media and pukes were negative on him 24/7. NAFTA is the only reason I need to dislike clinton, but I can cite many more. And the humiliation he caused his wife is OK with you, sister?

I just heard a term on CSPAN "Obama Zombies" new book by someone.

Just think of the 1960s and all the assassinations. And the '90s and the militias and Oklahoma City and Waco (Whacko). It's going to start happening again.

...some people learned NOTHING from OKC.