Bill Clinton has suffered enough

Friday, his last day in office, former President Bill Clinton brought finality to the Lewinsky scandal most will remember as the low point of his presidency. He agreed to a deal requiring him to admit to "testifying falsely" during a deposition for the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit, when he claimed he did not have an affair with Monica Lewinsky. The deal will also save him from being disbarred, but his license to practice law in Arkansas is suspended for five years and he will pay a $25,000 fine.\nThis punishment is appropriate because it prevents criminal charges against Clinton for perjury or obstruction of justice, but lets the public know that no one, not even the president, is above the law. \nAs former independent counsel Ken Starr said on CNN's "Late Edition," "It obviously would have been far better, less expensive, less divisive, if this acknowledgment would have come ... much earlier, say, in January of 1998. But better late than never." \nThe apology and punishments are sufficient. A criminal case would accomplish little at this point. The facts, various and sundry, of Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky have been aired to the extreme. Clinton and his family have suffered personal and public humiliation. To rehash the issue again now that Clinton is a private citizen again would be pointless.\nClinton was lucky to get such a deal, but the nation as a whole will benefit from not having to endure yet another Clinton scandal. The timing of this deal was perfect -- not only can Clinton fade away into the footlights of private life, but without criminal charges against Clinton, President Bush will not have the issue of whether to pardon Clinton hanging over his head.\nNow that Clinton's presidency is over, the nation is ready to start anew. Putting Clinton's sordid past behind us is more productive than continuing to tear apart a man whose term of public service is finished.\nStaff vote: 14-11-0