The Laughing Wolf

Book Review: Dereliction of Duty

The Clinton “legacy” that Mr. Clinton is reported to have worried about so much, is quite likely not to be what was desired. As more and more comes out about the Clinton White House, it is clearer and clearer that there were some rather severe problems.

How then does one explain some of the popularity polls? Easy, make the distinction made by Lt. Col. Robert Patterson, who was an Air Force military aide to the President. In it, he makes early and often a clear distinction between the man, who was quite personable, and the President, who left much to be desired from Patterson’s viewpoint.

This is an important distinction, and not just in terms of the book. In work, in intelligence matters, and often in life itself, it is important to distinguish between a person and the job they do. Someone can be a nice person, but absolutely lousy in their work. You can and will see it almost anywhere with more than about five people working.

Col. Patterson makes this important distinction, and it forms the “line” in his book. He makes a clear distinction between a person who cheated at golf, lied, played around, yet could still make one like him as a person. Then there was the President, in whom such character flaws were magnified and new problems show up as a result.

Surprisingly, the book is quite fair to the person, while damning in the strongest possible terms of the President. Patterson’s first-hand account shows clearly how and were many problems we face today originated, and how the President failed in his sworn duty to his country on many occasions. What is more, Col. Patterson offers proof on several instances, and names names of those who can verify what is in the book. Given that none of the people named have, to my knowledge, come forth to dispute it – and believe me they would and the talk shows would have been all over it – it serves as a partial confirmation of his account.

As for me, I believe what is here because of some things of which I am aware that went on in the Clinton White House. Once I can get some confirmation/re-confirmation, I may well post same. But that is another story for another day.

For anyone who wants to do an objective analysis of the Clinton presidency, this book is a must read. For anyone who wants to read “the dirt” then this is a must read. If you are a Clinton supporter for whom no fact will ever diminish your blind support, then you can skip it. If you are a Clinton supporter who wants to know from whence the next blow may fall, you really should read it.

There were no real surprises in the book, merely confirmation of a lot that had already floated around. The true surprise of the book was the professional tone taken and the fact that the author did the right, if hard, thing of differentiating between the person and the office. It is a useful and important distinction, and that alone makes it a good read.

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