Several years ago I watched the leader of our nation look squarely and
sincerely into a television camera and firmly state, "I did not have sex
with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky."
At the time, those who supported the president suggested the allegations
surrounding him -- that he lied under oath about his relationship with
Monica Lewinsky -- were the product of a vast right-wing conspiracy,
undoubtedly motivated by a tight little band of Clinton-haters who might
be described as "a vociferous, at times violent, always sarcastic and
mean-spirited minority."
Those who wore the rose-colored glasses supporting Clinton argued the
allegations couldn't be true because the president had done so many
wonderful things.
Eventually, we learned that despite a great economy and whatever other
accomplishments the Clinton supporters pointed to, and despite an
apparently sincere television denial, and despite questions regarding the
motivation of those who persisted with the allegations, that indeed the
allegations were true -- the president of the United States lied under
oath during a court proceeding and lied to the American people on camera.
I have watched Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo, while not the leader
of the nation, the designated leader of our community. I've watched him
sincerely look into the television cameras at City Council meetings and
deny any wrongdoing.
I have read -- in this newspaper, other newspapers and in Mayor Dave
Garofalo's column, as well as his oral statements -- a generalized denial
of wrongdoing and a reference to documentation that is filed with the
"appropriate agency." There have been general denials of wrongdoing
coupled with an attack on the motives of those who have raised questions
about his conduct as "a vociferous, at times violent, always sarcastic
and mean-spirited minority."
I have read his defense and the defense of those who support him, which
is predicated on Dave's accomplishments, including his time with the Boy
Scouts, the American Heart Assn., the DARE program, Leukemia Foundation,
American Cancer Society, St. Bonaventure School, Huntington Beach Boys &
Girls Club, and countless other charities.
Contributions to charities and positive involvement in civic affairs does
not bear on the subject of innocence or guilt. In my mind, such an
argument is an implied admission of wrongdoing and a plea for
forgiveness.
The plain fact is that good guys can make mistakes.
Even assuming that those who continue to press the allegations are, in
