History Book: 25 years since Bill Clinton’s affair lies

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Today is Monday, August 14th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Mary Reichard.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher. Next up, the WORLD History Book. Just two entries today. 25 years ago, President Bill Clinton admits he lied about a highly inappropriate relationship …but first, one of the worst natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s WORLD executive producer Paul Butler.

PAUL BUTLER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: 90 years ago, the American Northwest is unseasonably hot and dry—leading local officials to shut down Oregon logging operations. As loggers begin to close up camp, a fire starts in Gale Creek Canyon on August 14th, 1933. The cause of the fire has never been proven, but local lore says it began when a steel drag cable rubbed against the dry bark of a dead tree. The prolonged friction starts a fire that is soon out of control. Lumberjacks turn into fire crews.

After 10 days, the fire has consumed 40,000 acres but firefighting crews think they have the upper hand…then the weather changes. Audio here from a Critical Past historical film:

NEWSREEL: Suddenly, the fire blew up literally exploding with nuclear ferocity. Firefighters lost control as the awesome wall of fire advanced westward along a 15 mile front.

Within 24 hours the fire storm consumes an astounding 240,000 additional acres of virgin timber, exhibiting some of the most rapid forest fire growth ever recorded. The 1933 Tillamook fire comes to an end in early September as a wet ocean fog and rain moves into the area.

Over the next few years, loggers manage to salvage one and a half million trees for lumber, but many dead trees remain. It’s a powder keg ready to explode.

Over the next 18 years, the area sees three additional fires within the previous fire boundary…one every six years. A logging camp accidently starts the 1939 fire. It burns 190,000 acres. The 1945 fire is thought to have been the result of an incendiary balloon from Japan. It burns 180,000 acres. After the war, fire prevention crews build more access roads and create large fire breaks. The plan works. The 1951 fire is short-lived and burns only 32,000 acres. Some experts at the time doubt the forest will ever recover, but volunteers come by the bus load to plant seedlings.

DOCUMENTARY: Look at them come. Here's a mob scene. Everyone likes to see young Americans on the march with something fine and constructive to do.

From 1949 to 1972, more than 70 million trees are replanted in the area. School kids, church groups, and even inmates participate in the reforesting program. Seeds are scattered by helicopter to fill in where volunteers can’t reach. The burn area is dedicated as the Tillamook State Forest in 1973—celebrating its 50th anniversary as a very healthy forest this past June.

James 5 verses 5 and 6 says: “See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” We move now from a forest fire, to a lie that ends in a Presidential impeachment.

On January 26th, 1998, President Bill Clinton concludes a televised speech denying allegations that he had had an affair with an intern:

CLINTON: These allegations are false, and I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you. [APPLAUSE]

The Drudge Report had broken the scandal 10 days earlier, reporting that Newsweek editors are sitting on the story. First Lady Hillary Clinton calls the accusations against her husband part of a vast right wing conspiracy. But when Monica Lewinsky receives immunity in exchange for grand jury testimony she breaks her silence that summer and turns over physical evidence of their relationship.

During taped grand jury testimony on August 17th, 1998, Clinton admits an “improper physical relationship” with Lewinsky. That evening he addresses the nation.

CLINTON: Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. I know that my public comments and my silence about this matter, gave a false impression. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that.

While acknowledging the relationship, Clinton’s posture is defensive. He asserts that this matter is private—saying even presidents should have private lives.

CLINTON:  And so tonight, I asked you to turn away from the spectacle of the past seven months to repair the fabric of our national discourse and to return our attention to all the challenges and all the promise of the next American century.

Instead of diffusing the situation, the speech fans the flames and ratchets up the investigation. Four weeks later, Clinton takes a very different tone as he addresses a religious leaders’ breakfast in the White House East Room. Audio here from the Clinton Presidential Library.

CLINTON:  I agree with those who have said that in my first statement, after I testified I was not contrite enough. I don't think there is a fancy way to say that I have sinned.

Clinton goes on to claim that he asked his family, friends, and even the Lewinsky family for forgiveness. But to be worthy of that forgiveness, he says two more things are required:

CLINTON: First, genuine repentance and determination to change and to repair breaches of my own making. I have repented. Second, what my Bible calls a broken spirit.

Despite the mea culpa, a few months later the House of Representatives issues two Articles of Impeachment

NEWT GINGRICH: The yeahs are 258 the nays are 176, the resolution is agreed to.

One for obstruction of justice and the other perjury.

JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST: The chair directs judgment to be entered in accordance with the judgment of the Senate as follows.

However, the sentencing vote in the Senate falls short of the required two-thirds majority and Clinton is acquitted...though he is later held in civil contempt of court for giving misleading testimony in the Paula Jones case. He’s also fined and loses his law license.

Many point to the scandal as one reason why Vice President Al Gore lost his presidential bid.

That’s this week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

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