Bill Clinton on freedom

[snopes]

Comment: Just lately a number of political blogs have been circulating
this statement:

"If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the
government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those
guarantees."

It is being attributed to Bill Clinton, dated August 12, 1993 (I believe
this was the date he met with Pope John Paul II when the latter was in
Denver for World Youth Day that year).

So far, I can only find this quote on right wing blogs and no where else.

[damian]

Most likely a misquote. From his own website.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN DISCUSSION WITH NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

Adult Learning Center
New Brunswick, New Jersey
March 1, 1993

we can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans to legitimately own handguns and rifles -- it's something I strongly support -- we can't be so fixated on that that we are unable to think about the reality of life that millions of Americans face on streets that are unsafe

[Jay Temple]

Interesting. I'd seen the above quote before, but only up to this point: "We can't be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans." I'm not sure the full quote is a lot less damning.

[erinker74]

Originally Posted by Snopes

If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees.

I have hunted for it as well and can't find it on any reasonably unbiased site.

It's a disgusting quote, to be sure, but I can't see where Bush supporters should have a problem with it since it is basically the exact philosophy of GW Bush! Patriot Act, anyone?

[Towknie]

erinker, just why do you hate America? Huh? Bashing the Patriot Act is just, well, unpatriotic!!

Originally Posted by erinker74

I have hunted for it as well and can't find it on any reasonably unbiased site.

It's a disgusting quote, to be sure, but I can't see where Bush supporters should have a problem with it since it is basically the exact philosophy of GW Bush! Patriot Act, anyone?

Well, obviously it helps their case. They can be all "Look, all you pansy homersexual liberal poopooheads! Even your own messiah Bill Clinton says civil rights are optional. Thus, we're all in agreement. Thus, we can wiretap your phone. HA!"

[Ramblin' Dave]

Originally Posted by Miss Mouse

Well, obviously it helps their case. They can be all "Look, all you pansy homersexual liberal poopooheads! Even your own messiah Bill Clinton says civil rights are optional. Thus, we're all in agreement. Thus, we can wiretap your phone. HA!"

If you confronted the 30% or so who still support Bush about it, they would probably just say it's okay if Bush does it because he never lied about his sex life.