Easy listening

Back in 2003, Bill Clinton spoke at some sort of fundraiser in Toronto, blathering on about Israel-Palestinian peace -- fill in your own blanks, you know the drill -- and made the following statement, ludicrous on its Clintonian face, about what he would do if Israel were attacked:

"I would personally get in a ditch, grab a rifle, and fight and die."

The quote was initially reported in a larger story about the event itself, which of course was primarily of only local interest. But it was picked up widely reported, although with some variations that lend useful insight into the accuracy of quotes in the press.

I remarked to friends that, if there were the slightest chance it were true, I would attack Israel myself. One responded, "ColumbusGuy, your noble sacrifice is only going to subject the rest of us to a monologue about what was meant by 'personally.'"

Remember this golden oldie today, when Mr. Clinton is reportedly saying, "I always thought that Bin Laden was a bigger threat than the Bush administration did." Boy howdy, Clinton would have solved that problem, you betcha.