Keller At Large 1/27/2009

[0:13]..." you destroy yourself and quote. Did you get it. It was Richard Nixon in his farewell address to the White House staff on the day he left Washington after resigning in disgrace for obstructing justice during the Watergate affair. I have heard the quote or thought about it in a long time until last night when I attended an excellent production of frost Nixon at the colonial theatre. The play tells the story of the extensive TV interviews British talk show host David Frost conducted with former President Nixon. Which climaxed with -- an apology from knicks and for the crimes that led to his impeachment. Frost and his fellow journalists in the place celebrate that moment as the crowning achievement the forcing of a moment of truth and contrition that never would have occurred without them. But that's wrong. Nixon's ultimate moment of humiliation and admission of wrong doing. Came on that last day in the White House when he uttered that quote and that gave that last pathetic waved as he boarded the chopper. And his comment about the self destructiveness of political hatred remains appallingly relevant. Perhaps inspired by the successful pursuit of Nixon an entire culture political destruction as the ball totally self righteous and profoundly corrosive. It was evident in the persecution of Bill Clinton in a pushed arrangements syndrome that was evident well before the invasion of Iraq. And could already see the sporting a self serving hatred of Obama a man totally undeserving of such poison. If you see frost Nixon you should come away convinced of Nixon's guilt absolutely. But sympathetic to his humanity if you don't. You may be on the path toward self destruction that Nixon warned us about. "...

[0:44]..." acknowledging that we'd likely don't even know the full story yet to Macy's entanglements. I want to -- a question for all to consider at what cost do we continue to drive people from office based on ethical standards that. Most voters don't seem to care about. There was never -- chance that either the voters in their districts or the members of the house who elect the speaker would have turned Charlie clarity Tom Finneran horse seldom easy out of office. Short of the site of photos of them stuffing cash up their shirts which never existed. Voters across America made it clear during the Clinton years but they did not consider adultery and public lying about it to mandate the removal of -- popular president. Voters around here didn't flinch back in the eighties when congressman Barney Frank and Gary studs were caught behaving unethically. Some of the Macy did a pretty good job as speaker. He played a key role in defending gay marriage opposing the casino plan that would have been a disaster. Opposing tax hikes and promoting fiscal reforms now he's out because the "...

[0:00]..." So -- is out -- house speaker as of Tuesday the third speaker in a row to be essentially forced out of office under an ethical cloud. Let's be "...

[0:58]..." Wednesday night amid collapsing poll numbers and the prospect of humiliation. If New York governor David Paterson chose not to pointer. -- withdrew her name from consideration. Her reward students has been tapped her personal reputation. Dragged through the mud by anonymous accusations. About our tax returns and marital life. And regardless of whether or not any of that stuff is true. She will be a poster child for "...

[0:02]..." up for bid for appointment to the US senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton strikes me as a very prudent call. From the first moment we learned for interest it seemed odd. A complete political neophyte "...