Supreme Serving of Justice
Finally.

October 2, 2001 12:15 p.m.

ill Clinton has been very busy since the September 11th mass murder of over 6,000 people. In fact, he has been the most visible and vocal of our ex-presidents. Clinton has attended memorial services and funerals; participated in press conferences; given interviews to NBC's Tom Brokaw, among others; and delivered formal and informal speeches on fighting terrorism from Detroit to London.

Clinton has urged an already united country to unite; and he suggested that Reagan National Airport should be reopened, which the president was already considering. And, of course, we know these things — because the media has lapped up and regurgitated every Clinton word and appearance.

Within days of the terrorist atrocities, CNBC host and San Francisco Chronicle writer Chris Matthews lamented how greatness escaped Clinton. Oh, what could have been! Matthews wrote, in part: "Lucky though he was, Bill Clinton never had his shot at greatness. He could lower the jobless rate, balance the budget, console us after the Oklahoma City bombing. But he never got the opportunity George W. Bush was given this Tuesday: the historic chance to lead. Our American spirit, power and enterprise now stand ready for orders. Only the president can give them." And Matthews wasn't alone among the media-types feeling Clinton's pain.

Clinton can't stop hogging the spotlight, even now. And the mainstream can't stop obsessing over him, even now. I'm not a trained mental-health professional, so I don't know the technical term for this kind of sick behavior. But I do know this: Clinton could never have been a great — or even good — president, because he's a horribly flawed man.

This reality struck home yesterday when the United States Supreme Court informed Clinton that he was suspended from practicing law before it, and that he had 40 days to explain why he shouldn't be disbarred. The high court's announcement was followed by a statement from David Kendall, Clinton's criminal defense lawyer, in which he said: "This suspension is simply a consequence of the voluntary settlement entered into last January with the Arkansas bar. Pursuant to the Supreme Court's order, we will show cause why disbarment in not appropriate."

In other words, "no big deal." Of course, it's never a big deal where Clinton's concerned. He was sued for sexually assaulting an Arkansas state employee. "No big deal." He was impeached for his high crimes and misdemeanors. "No big deal." He was accused of molesting several other women both before and after he became president. "No big deal." He was held in contempt by a federal judge for intentionally lying under oath during a deposition. "No big deal." He lied to a federal grand jury. "No big deal." He cut a deal with prosecutors on his last full day in office, admitting that he was a liar and agreeing to a five-year suspension of his Arkansas law license in exchange for avoiding indictment. "No big deal." And yesterday, our highest court triggered disbarment proceedings against Clinton. "No big deal."

Clinton didn't miss his chance at greatness. Clinton was biologically incapable of being a good president, let alone a great one. He sullied the high office once filled by such truly outstanding leaders as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan. And it's becoming obvious he doesn't even know how to behave as an ex-president. Justice and history are catching up with Clinton, even if they go unnoticed by the mainstream media.