While we’re talking about media I enjoy, these are some blog posts I DID draft back while on break from the blog. So, it’s got some details – even if they are unimportant haha
Oh my GOSH!
So, I was too young to really get into the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal when it happened. I mean, like most people, before listening to this podcast, I knew basically that he slept with an intern, there was a blue dress, and “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” That was pretty much the extent of my knowledge.
Slow Burn is this great podcast from Slate (It sounds like I’m advertising it, but I’m not. They don’t know who I am.) Anyway! They’re breaking down the whole scandal, and holy goodness! I hardly even know what to say, or where to begin. I was walking around New York City last night with my mouth just literally wide open, because I was in shock at everything I was hearing.
[Spoiler alert, I guess, to this 20-year-old scandal.]
First off, Monica Lewinsky is just betrayed left and right. Dang!
Bill Clinton had her reassigned to the Pentagon?! SHE LOST HER INTERNSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE HE DIDN’T WANT TO KEEP THE WOMAN HE WAS SLEEPING WITH AROUND?!
That is SO unfair. It’s already an incredibly precarious situation to sleep with an intern – and this isn’t just like a big company. This is the White House. So, to be married, and to have that much power, and be nearly 3 decades her senior – it’s already a weird power imbalance. But, stuff happens in a work environment. People fall for each other. Sometimes it’s boss/someone they’re in charge of. Fine, whatever. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know how much power was being wielded vs how much of it was just two adults making eyes. But we can just not get into the weeds on that stuff, because there’s the really important part that HE TRANSFERRED HER OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO PROTECT HIMSELF?! Noooooot cool.
You shouldn’t affect someone’s future career and livelihood just because you made a decision to have an affair with her. Okay, so that’s first betrayal, and really crappy.
Also – Linda Tripp?! What the heck?! Someone who supposedly is your friend tapes your phone calls, and rats you out to the FBI?! What the HECK. Basically, everybody sucks in this story.
Except Monica. She was amazing. The first episode really gets into her fierce loyalty and ability to think on her feet. I can’t even fathom going through all that; what an incredibly strong human being.
And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow!