At 21, Monica Lewinsky was charmed into an illicit sexual relationship by the President of the United States, a master charmer with a long record of similar dalliances. There are millions of extra-marital affairs in the U.S., but one involving the most powerful man in the country was certain to be at the center of historic media attention. Bill Clinton knew it, and he understood the risks. Monica Lewinsky did not and could not, and it was her life that was thrown tragically, permanently, off its tracks.
After all, her life was just beginning. Ahead of her was a career, a stable relationship, children, a position in her community. That was all put in peril, however, by her relationship with the President, a relationship which she thought had an exciting future, little knowing that to him, it was just another perquisite of power.
In Greek myths, the sexually voracious, sociopathic gods of Olympus often sought consort with human lovers, and invariably destroyed them. They were burned to crisps by the god’s brilliance, or were turned into beasts, or monsters, or insects or trees. There was nothing worse than to be involved with a god, but the gods didn’t care. Humans were insignificant to them; they were playthings.
All the Greek myths are allegories, and this was a constant theme: ordinary people cannot endure the radiance of fame. When Bill Clinton violated his duty as an employer, a superior, an adult and a leader by allowing a smitten and naïve young woman to give him sexual favors, he knowingly placed the welfare of a vulnerable human being in peril.
Today a feature article caught up with Monica Lewinsky. She is living as a near recluse, with no real home, no career, no romantic relationship and no prospect of one. She feels that she is still regarded as a social pariah and a walking punch-line to a dirty joke, as indeed she is. Most young women who become involved in an older, powerful man’s mid-life crisis can learn from the experience and move on, but not Monica.
What is left for her now? No one’s life is truly ruined at 38, but she has a difficult path to happiness and success, one that is not very clear at all. And Bill Clinton? He’s just fine, as he knew he would be. Presidents of the United States can fall, but they never fall far. Even Richard Nixon did not spend his post-White House years in exile and pain. He had supporters and admirers. Clinton has had it even better. They are all gods, after all.
The humans, however, seldom do so well when they are suddenly thrust into the burning light of celebrity, especially the way Monica Lewinsky was. She might have build a career on infamy, like Jessica Hahn or Paris Hilton, and made the rounds of men’s magazines, county fairs and reality shows, a high-level carny freak. To her credit, she has tried to live a life out of the spotlight, with dignity, putting her past mistakes behind her.
Yet it is all but impossible when your name has entered the lexicon as a euphemism for “blow-job.” Bill Clinton did that to her, and it was selfish, irresponsible, and cruel.
And he has never even said he was sorry.
Ethics Alarms 
Well, I suppose he feels he had nothing to say “sorry” for, after all, he did not have “sex” with that woman.
She needs to stop feeling sorry for herself, get off the pity pot, and get on with her life. No one is ruining her life but her.
Are you actually Bill Clinton? Or is your name just a coincidence?
SSSSHHHH Hilary may be watching.
I’m amused by the thought of former President Clinton reading any ethics website (e.g. CREW), but him reading this ethics blog is particularly rich.
Yes, Bill C. reading an ethics website is as likely as Bush reading Oscar Wilde. Bill reading this website is as likely as Bush sleeping with Oscar Wilde.
Eww necrophilia.
I hope you mean Bill C and not me sleeping with Oscar!!! lol
Why hasn’t she changed her name? Absolutely, she shouldn’t HAVE to, but realistically, becoming Monica Smith would solve a lot of problems.
I’m shocked by that, too. There is no way anyone is going to hire Monica Lewinsky to work at their company. She bring way to much baggage, unwanted attention to the company, distractions and potential political infighting in the workplace. There is no upside to hiring her over another, less publicly visible candidate. The only benefit is if you are some sleazy company who wants to hire her for the cheap PR, then it comes down to her or Tonya Harding.
Or, if you have such a high-minded conscience as to attempt to rescue someone who really does deserve a second chance…
I fully agree that what happened to Monica Lewinsky is unethical but I disagree with the cause. Let’s pretend that Hillary Clinton won the last election and immediately had an affair with a younger male intern. Would the younger male interns reputation be ruined if the affair came out?
My best guess is that the answer is no. Personally, I think that Monica Lewinsky was and is a victim of good old fashioned sexism, more than anything else.
However, these arguments aren’t mutually exclusive.
Monica was the victim of sexism, in several ways. I know many women, mostly Democrats, mostly middle-aged, and many so-called feminists, who blame her for “seducing” Bill. Amazing.
But a young man who was Hillary Clinton’s boy-toy would suffer horribly for it, unless he decided to go the reality show route. Especially since having an affair with Hillary automatically calls one’s judgment into question. (KIDDING!!!!)
I’m delighted that you agree! As far as your observation about women who call themselves feminists being obtuse and hypocritical about this I couldn’t agree more. Just as an FYI there is a younger generation of feminists who are far less prone toward those assassin attitudes.
I do agree that said hypothetical male intern would be in a world of s^*t. But, I doubt that a young man in the same situation would inspire the same level of hatred and be as extremely ostracized.
I’m a Hillary fan but I laughed at your joke despite myself. 😀
So, those who blamed Monica…. wishing they could have been there instead? Hmm, feminists as Clinton wannabe groupies. Guess that’ll get me some hate mail.
Serving as boy-toy DOES call one’s judgment into question, of course. Then again, it may be just as likely to be a girl-toy. OTOH, perhaps H’s sublimation of sexuality into complete power lust is so complete, that neither would serve a useful or necessary purpose.
Bill Clinton is a pig. He was the married man who manipulated the whole situation. I have zero respect for him or his stupid wife who stood by her cheating husband’s side. Monica was a young girl who enjoyed the attention of the President of the United States. Come on ladies; imagine being Monica’s age and in her position. We would have all been flattered and done the same.