For the Record

It’s the Horatio Alger defense for targets of Sen. Fred Thompson’s Governmental Affairs Committee. Brian Sun, lawyer for Asian-American bagman Johnny Chung, explains: “They call Johnny a hustler and there’s no question he was hustling the DNC, the White House, and anybody else who could help him. But he was hustling business. He had absolutely no political agenda. Johnny Chung’s not promoting the policy interests of some foreign government; he’s promoting Johnny Chung. That’s not a crime. It’s the American way.” . . . Ng Lap Seng (a/k/a Mr. Wu), the shadowy source of Charlie Trie’s laundered money, tells ABC News: “My philosophy is that I should not break the law, but I wouldn’t mind bending it.” . . . News of the weird from the hearings: Members of Shing Hai spiritual sect, which ponied up $640,000 worth of contributions to Clinton legal-defense fund, drank the bath water of their “master” to demonstrate their reverence; Trie showed up at defense-fund’s offices with bag stuffed with checks and inflatable toys. . . . Dick Morris is possible witness in September. Committee member Arlen Specter raises prospect of calling President Clinton.

Legacy Watch: Clinton thinks balanced-budget deal amounts to his, but is desperate to find one wherever he can. According to Washington Post, when AP reported that deal on NATO expansion “sealed [Clinton’s] place in history,” White House aides were so happy one kissed the writer on the cheek. . . . In run-up to budget deal, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott vowed, “We have compromised with [the President]. We have both given ground and found common ground… and, if it would make a difference, I will stand in the well of the Senate and whistle, ‘Hail to the Chief.’” . . . According to Wall Street Journal poll, only 17 per cent say it’s likely budget will be balanced in five years. About same number think there’s at least a chance the Pathfinder photos from Mars were faked (17 per cent), and slightly more believe aliens are currently living on earth (25 per cent).

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It’s the Horatio Alger defense for targets of Sen. Fred Thompson’s Governmental Affairs Committee. Brian Sun, lawyer for Asian-American bagman Johnny Chung, explains: “They call Johnny a hustler and there’s no question he was hustling the DNC, the White House, and anybody else who could help him. But he was hustling business. He had absolutely no political agenda. Johnny Chung’s not promoting the policy interests of some foreign government; he’s promoting Johnny Chung. That’s not a crime. It’s the American way.” . . . Ng Lap Seng (a/k/a Mr. Wu), the shadowy source of Charlie Trie’s laundered money, tells ABC News: “My philosophy is that I should not break the law, but I wouldn’t mind bending it.” . . . News of the weird from the hearings: Members of Shing Hai spiritual sect, which ponied up $640,000 worth of contributions to Clinton legal-defense fund, drank the bath water of their “master” to demonstrate their reverence; Trie showed up at defense-fund’s offices with bag stuffed with checks and inflatable toys. . . . Dick Morris is possible witness in September. Committee member Arlen Specter raises prospect of calling President Clinton.

Legacy Watch: Clinton thinks balanced-budget deal amounts to his, but is desperate to find one wherever he can. According to Washington Post, when AP reported that deal on NATO expansion “sealed [Clinton’s] place in history,” White House aides were so happy one kissed the writer on the cheek. . . . In run-up to budget deal, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott vowed, “We have compromised with [the President]. We have both given ground and found common ground… and, if it would make a difference, I will stand in the well of the Senate and whistle, ‘Hail to the Chief.’” . . . According to Wall Street Journal poll, only 17 per cent say it’s likely budget will be balanced in five years. About same number think there’s at least a chance the Pathfinder photos from Mars were faked (17 per cent), and slightly more believe aliens are currently living on earth (25 per cent).