On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 01:39:58 -0700, "Bob Flood" wrote:

>WillMall wrote in message <19980921053500.BAA22843@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
>>BTW, Ken Starr is required to report to
>>Congress. If Congress releases it - it is not in any way an indication of
>>hypocrisy on Ken Starr's part.

>A Grand Jury is not a trial - it is an investigative tool. Because it is not
>as trial, the rules of evidence and citizen's rights do not apply. The jury
>does not determine guilt or innocence; they determine if formal charges
>should be pursued. Because there is no judge to ensure adherence to correct
>courtroom procedure or to protect individual rights, testimony and evidence
>presented to a Grand Jury cannot be disclosed to the public. Disclosure of
>Grand Jury testimony is a crime in every state and under federal law, except
>that the law (passed by Congress, remember) exempts Congress from this
>crime. So Congress can release testimony forced under rules that deny the
>defendant the right to refuse to testify, but if you did that you'd go to
>jail for it.
[much of a thoughtful and informed post deleted - go back
and read it above...]
>There has been more than enough disgraceful behavior by all concerned in
>this matter.
>
>How about a people's campaign slogan for the 98 and 2000 elections -
>RE-ELECT NO-ONE ! ! !
>Maybe that would get their attention.

Tempting, but I think, VERY bad advice! Boycotting an election
results in the REAL scoundrels being easily elected! Better, I
think, is to look at your candidates carefully (going beyond
the propaganda of those with axes to grind, and certainly WELL
beyond the political ads...), work for the ones you deem good
and honest, and , at least, VOTE!!! BTW, in my incarnation
as someone involved in local politics for several years, it
struck me how honest and hard-working most of our local
politicians were. It is all too easy to dismiss them as
"crooks", "dishonest", or whatever - but it takes a little
more effort to talk with them, to tell them what you want,
and to listen to them tell you what they are trying to do...
Simply not voting is a cop-out, and a dangerous one for
democracy...! Try getting involved with the process, instead.