Haunted by the Dean of Watergate

If the whole truth is too painful, then why is there a Nixon Library? Close the damn thing if all you want is the good stuff.

I was impressed by the bold audacity of the leadership team at the Library to consider having Dean speak there. I was so thrilled at the possibility of hearing what he has to say, but upon further reflection, Dean's comment seems aimed at feeding our need for Schaudenfrade. Yes, the truth is long overdue. But, what purpose will it serve? Seriously, what purpose will it truly serve? Honestly, how will it benefit the office of the president, the trust in our elected officials, the respect for leadership and most of all, how will it help the family of President Nixon? They still have to deal with the shame and pain that his actions caused an entire nation. I am not advocating to sweep it under the rug, or censoring it. No, all I am saying is that all it does is stir up negative feelings and further dissention and anitipathy between the two ends of the political spectrum. Please, I am not asking that we hold hands and sign kum-ba-ya, but do not allow a shamefull chapter in our collective history to be a poor excuse for the "open" minded liberals to keep beating a dead horse. It's been dead, long, long ago. Let it go.
At the same time, it is sad to think that Mr. Dean still has dish to share. If he was so- principled why didn't he leave? Going along and singing like a bird when he got caught is not a way to define integrity or patriotism, he defined "each man to its own" mentality. He is a very lonely man indeed.

The living presidents would never agree to a campaign against John Dean speaking at the anniversary of the Nixon library. John Dean is a living "truth teller" just like Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein of the ills of our society and countrymen gone wrong. By the way, I happen to go to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR. President Clinton "included" the info about Miss Lewinsky and that whole sordid "mess" truthfully at his library, it did not take him 30 years like it did Richard Nixon, and his family to include SOME OF THE TRUTH, NIXON WAS NOT ALLOWED GOV FUNDING BECAUSE OF THIS FOR YEARS, until it was turned over to a private maintenance group. I also, applaud President Clinton. He is more popular today than he ever was as President and that will continue. The conservative power grabbing coop did not work by the republicans. Thank God!

Right on John Dean! You are one of the FEW heros of this tragic mess, Watergate. (right along with Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein) The Nixon Library should be HONORED to have John Dean speak at this anniversary. These board members should be careful, it was not too long ago that THEY DID NOT QUALIFY FOR GOV FUNDING BECAUSE OF THE LIES THAT REMAINED IN THE LIBRARY FROM THE BEGINNING ABOUT WATERGATE. I applaud John Dean, a great patriot of our USA. Yes he went to jail, but I for one believe, to this day, because of his testimony, which I saw on live TV as it happened, that he truly DID NOT KNOW ABOUT this until the CANCER became so obvious it STUNK! I hope I can go to the anniversary at the Nixon library to get Mr. John Dean's autograph on my two books by him, "Worst Than Watergate" and "Conservatives Without Conscience"...this last book is about ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS listed above!