May 5, 2015 5:59 AM

The higher you climb, the bigger the target you present

Washington (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton dismissed the controversy over foreign donations to his family’s foundation, saying in a testy interview that the charitable organization has “never done anything knowingly inappropriate.”…. “There is no doubt in my mind that we have never done anything knowingly inappropriate in terms of taking money to influence any kind of American government policy,” he said in an interview that aired Monday on NBC’s “Today” show. “That just hasn’t happened.”…. The Clinton Foundation’s fundraising practices have drawn scrutiny as Hillary Clinton launches her second run for president. Critics have raised questions about donations from foreign governments that had projects or financial interests under Clinton’s jurisdiction during her time as secretary of State.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are arguably the most successful and accomplished couple in American political history. Under normal circumstances, one might think that would be cause for no small amount of admiration. Au contraire, mon ami. Ever since Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992, there have been those dedicated to the destruction of all things Clinton. No matter what Bill, Hillary, and later Chelsea may have accomplished, many on the right side of the political spectrum actively work to destroy the family- utterly and completely. From whisper campaigns to the spreading of false information to spurious accusations and legal proceedings, the past 23 years have been a target-rich environment for Clinton-haters of all stripes. From Vince Foster to Monica Lewinsky to Kenneth Starr to health care reform to impeachment to Benghazi, the Clintons have taken more hits than any family should reasonably be expected to absorb…and yet they’ve always emerged stronger. Somewhere along the line they’ve developed the ability to ignore the chattering detractors, knowing that there would always be those trying to destroy them, so they might as well just ignore them.

With Hillary Clinton running for President, she presents an even larger target on a national stage. The latest faux controversy over donations accepted by the Clinton Foundation appears to be yet another instance of the press and those on the Right attempting to inflict damage to Mrs. Clinton and her campaign.

I’m not a fan of Hillary Clinton and her moderate Republican politics. I am a fan of the work that Bill Clinton has done through the family’s foundation to make the world a better place. Though he could have made millions trading on his name and former position as the leader of the free world, the former President has devoted years to building the Clinton Foundation into a nonprofit powerhouse unlike few others in the world. To paraphrase Gandhi, he’s become the change he wishes to see in the world, and he should be applauded for that…but the haters would sooner commit seppuku than give credit where credit is due.

We believe that the best way to unlock human potential is through the power of creative collaboration. That’s why we build partnerships between businesses, NGOs, governments, and individuals everywhere to work faster, better, and leaner; to find solutions that last; and to transform lives and communities from what they are today to what they can be, tomorrow.

Everywhere we go, we’re trying to work ourselves out of a job. Whether it’s improving global health, increasing opportunity for women and girls, reducing childhood obesity and preventable diseases, creating economic opportunity and growth, or helping communities address the effects of climate change, we keep score by the lives that are saved or improved.

What began as one man’s drive to help people everywhere grew quickly into a foundation committed to helping people realize their full potential. Because the best thing we can do together is give others the chance to live their best life stories.

We’re all in this together.

I can’t speak for anyone else, or their perceptions and prejudices…but to me that doesn’t sound like the resume of someone with a malevolent agenda. It doesn’t sound like someone looking to enrich themselves and engage in all manner of corrupt, self-interested behavior. The Clintons certainly could have traded on their fame primarily to enrich themselves. While there’s no doubt but hat the family is very wealthy, the Clinton Foundation would seem to stand as a demonstration of acting on a perceived responsibility to give back.

Those who can do. Those who can’t engage in petty whisper campaigns and cheap, politically-motivated attempts to destroy good people.

The question of foreign nationals and governments donating to the foundation is certainly legitimate and worthy of monitoring. Unfortunately, the implication in (and the generalized assumption of) the press seems to be that by accepting such donations, the Clintons are endangering national security or engaged in all manner of other venality and corruption. Or engaging in graft. Or selling influence. Though I’ve seen no evidence to indicate such nefarious behavior occurred, that doesn’t stop those in the press or on the Right from automatically assuming the worst and running with it as if it was immutable truth.

The foundation has announced that they’ll continue to accept donations from foreign nationals and governments, as well they should. From where I sit, I see no reason why the work of the foundation should suffer in order to appease the chattering classes. There seem to be plenty of people willing to tear down the Clintons, the Clinton Foundation, and the work it does. It’s sad and rather pathetic, but neither is it surprising. Anyone can destroy; it takes courage and commitment to build…and those who can’t build will often take the low road in an effort to destroy those doing legitimately good work. So it is with those who hate the fact that the Clintons are still drawing breath.

The Clinton Foundation has done impressive work, and while the press would do well to focus on the accomplishments of the foundation, they appear determined to dig up whatever dirt they can to smear the Clintons. Such is the world we live in. It doesn’t matter how much good you do, but make one little misstep or mistake and you’d best be prepared to be buried.

Something about no good deed going unpunished….

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on May 5, 2015 5:59 AM.

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