Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
By now we all have either heard, read or assimilated the sum and substance of Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr's report to Congress about the Clinton-Lewinsky matter.
We've heard about the 11 counts he considers worthy of impeachment consideration. We've heard more than most have wanted to know about the specific acts between our president and the young intern.
And, yes, we've heard yet again the president express his regret for his actions and his plea for forgiveness.
For that humbling admission, President Clinton should be credited. And, being a forgiving people, most Americans will be willing to grant him that forgiveness.
The president and his ardent supporters should remember that the grant of forgiveness doesn't alleviate him from the responsibility - or the punishment - he has coming for his transgressions.
In his more recent comments on the matter, the president has expressed the humility and contrition that was lacking in his initial admissions. He told us how much regret he has for the pain he has caused. He said he apologizes for misleading his wife, his friends, his supporters and administration officials - and the American people.
Now he wants us to move on. Not forget about it, but just stop thinking about it and stop talking about it. And, above all else, stop all this impeachment nonsense.
It reminds me of my teenage years. Being a rambunctious young man, I found myself on the wrong side of the rules my parents had lain down for me.
When these instances occurred, my dad, being a good and conscientious father, administered the appropriate discipline - usually a grounding - the dreaded "stay in your room, and clean it up while you're in there" exile - to impress upon me the error of my ways.
Without fail, I would think about my transgression and approach my father to express my understanding of where I erred and to apologize for my mistake and vow to never make it again.
His response still rings in my ears. And, with the events of the past few weeks, I've come to see it in a new perspective.
"Son," he would say, "I understand that you are sorry. Sorry for doing it. Sorry for letting me and your mother down. I'm glad you understand what you did was wrong and I'm glad that you will try harder in the future to ensure that it won't happen again."
And then he would conclude with something that applies to the president today every bit as much as it did to me then:
"And to make sure you remember that what you did was wrong and that you are sorry for it and that you won't do it again, I want you to know that I still love you and I forgive you - and you're still grounded for a week."
The lesson this taught me is that forgiveness doesn't relieve someone from accountability. Contrition doesn't alleviate the need to be punished for wrongdoings.
Yes, we can accept the president's apology. We can empathize with the pain of his embarrassment. We can stand by him in his efforts to rebuild his standing and reputation. We can pray for him as he heals the wounds he's caused in his marriage and to his family and friends.
And we must still insist that he be held accountable for the wrongs he has committed. Criminal wrongs. Wrongs that require sanction. Wrongs that warrant him leaving his office - either voluntarily, which would be better for the country, or involuntarily through the proceedings now under way in Congress.
This is a lesson the president needs to understand. This is the lesson future presidents need to understand. This is the lesson that needs to be learned and understood by the American people, especially America's young.
The bottom line is - Mr. President, you're still grounded.
