That was the title of outspoken State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr.’s latest “What You Should Know” statement that very directly compared allegations placed against President Bill Clinton to those against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. Mr. Díaz, not unknown to make controversial statements, said he wants to “show the high level of hypocrisy among many, many people in this business of politics and media” regarding Mr. Lopez, who was once the powerful boss of Brooklyn’s Democratic Party before his sexual harassment scandal shook the state’s political landscape a few weeks ago.
“You should know that as I continue to read the news about how many people have come out showing their anger against New York State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, and how many leaders have asked for his resignation, I have to compare the reaction and treatment by those same leaders to what they did against former President Bill Clinton when he was the President,” the senator argued in the statement.
He continued, “Vito Lopez has been accused of sexually harassing women, and as such, he is condemned as the devil in the flesh. Bill Clinton – who has been accused of sexually abusing women, who has been disbarred as a lawyer, and who was impeached as the President of the United States by the Congress – continues to serve as the hero of the same group that condemns Vito Lopez.”
The allegations against Mr. Lopez, however, were investigated by the State Assembly and found credible. Prosecutors are now evaluating the evidence and considering criminal charges. Most of Mr. Clinton’s allegations–outside of the famous one with Monica Lewinsky–are unproven.
View the full statement below:
Vito Lopez has been accused by three women of groping and sexually harassing them. He has been cast as the devil incarnate, and every dart has been thrown at him by his friends and his foes. Even people who owe Vito Lopez are publicly asking for his head.
We all need to remember – not too far back – to the days of President Bill Clinton, when he was accused of sexual abuse by Juanita Broaddrick, Jennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Katherine Willy and finally, Monica Lewinsky.
Juanita Broaddrick accused Bill Clinton of raping her.
Jennifer Flowers accused Bill Clinton of having an affair with him while he was married.
Paula Jones sued Bill Clinton for sexual harassment for exposing himself to her and fondling himself in her presence.
Kathleen Willey accused Bill Clinton of groping her in the Oval Office while he was the President.
Monica Lewinsky, a college intern in the White House, accused Bill Clinton of having her perform oral sex on him. She also accused Bill Clinton of sexually using cigars with her in the Oval Office while Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat waited in the Rose Garden for his scheduled meeting with the President.
Bill Clinton was impeached as the President of the United States. Bill Clinton lost his license to practice law for lying to Congress. Nonetheless, Bill Clinton has become the hero of the Democratic Party, while the same people, media and reporters who are asking for Vito Lopez’s resignation are the same ones who are standing by and praising Bill Clinton.
In writing this, I want to make it very clear to my friends and foes that it is not my intention in any way shape or form to excuse or defend Vito Lopez’s actions which are repugnant and should be condemned, and should be fully investigated. I am doing this to show the high level of hypocrisy among many, many people in this business of politics and media.
Vito Lopez has been accused of sexually harassing women, and as such, he is condemned as the devil in the flesh. Bill Clinton – who has been accused of sexually abusing women, who has been disbarred as a lawyer, and who was impeached as the President of the United States by the Congress – continues to serve as the hero of the same group that condemns Vito Lopez.
This is State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.
