Rating: 
Summary: such garbage
Review: The usual preaching to the choir. Clinton was awful because he was not tough enough, and he touched people. Blah blah blah. A disingenous libel. Crap.
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Summary: Misapplication of the UCMJ
Review: I read Dereliction of Duty, by Lt. Col. Patterson, in part because the title suggested the intriguing application of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to a Commander in Chief, and, in part, because the book was touted as a "New York Times Bestseller." The author and publishers of this book suggest that it is an "eyewitness account of how Bill Clinton compromised America's national security." That "eyewitness" was the Air Force military aide to the President. I suspect many military officers have already read this book, or will read it. It may reflect "popular thinking" within some military circles. Many civilians will also have read it, and will have been "persuaded" as to its assertions by the fact that it was written by a military "insider." However, many of the allegations in the book, in my opinion, are not supported by substantive evidence. Contrary to the book jacket's promise to describe "how Bill Clinton compromised America's national security," this is one of the least substantive books I've read in recent years. It is, at best, sophomoric in its criticism of the Clinton White House, and, at worst, dangerous in attempting to assess "blame" without any real analysis. It is far too superficial to be taken too seriously. Dereliction of duty, or more accurately, "dereliction in the performance of duties," is, of course, a charge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The seriousness of this charge is underscored by the fact that it is as an offense included in UCMJ Article 92, "Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation." UCMJ Article 92 goes to the very heart of the military - it is one of the primary means of preserving good order and discipline. While it is intriguing to consider whether or not the Commander in Chief should be subject to the UCMJ, this question has been asked and answered - he is not. Be that as it may, the author's cavalier use of the UCMJ suggests that the rigor of a court martial should be the standard by which President Clinton's record should be judged. However, even if one is willing to somehow apply a criminal code - and, one peculiar to the military, at that -- to the evaluation of a president's political and social policies, the author falls far short of proving the "elements of the offense." To continue the author's own UCMJ analogy, if this book had been a presentation before a military jury, a defense motion for summary dismissal for failure to prove a prima facie case would have been granted. Additionally, in reading this book, I was bothered by Lt. Colonel Patterson's efforts to bolster the credibility of his rather specious arguments by cloaking himself in the mantle of the soldier -- in "harm's way" in the interests of his fellow citizens. I've always believed it's contrary to "the warrior's code" to claim such status for oneself. If it is conferred by a grateful nation, fine; but, one should not solicit it, nor even expect it. Moreover, it looks to me that his was anything but a hardship career -- one relatively "cushy" job after another, his self-serving statements of sacrifice notwithstanding. As far as military contributions are concerned, his appear to be modest, or made at relatively low organizational levels. We are, after all, reading here the "observations" of an aide, not someone charged with policy-making responsibilities. The retrieval of Chelsea's backpack, one of several anecdotes described in the book, is hardly a strategic military contribution, or even a significant event, for that matter, indicating anything at all instructive about the Clinton White House. And, carrying the "nuclear football" does not suggest anything insightful about the individual who has this duty. Compare this record, say, to the real sacrifice made by the marines who came ashore at Iwo Jima (read Flags of our Fathers, to understand real military sacrifice) -- and the differences will be clear. I'm also disappointed with what appears to me to be a breach of confidentiality by the author -- an integrity issue, much the same as the lack of integrity in the Clinton White House so vociferously lamented by him. If Patterson was so unhappy with what he saw happening around him, he could easily have resigned his post, or merely asked for reassignment. That, I would submit, is what military duty would suggest as the "right" course of action. But, that would have required some courage and integrity on his part. Instead, he "toughed" it out long enough to get presidential endorsements to his annual performance reports, an item much sought out for promotion purposes, and, thereafter, to wrangle, by way of 4-star intervention, yet another cushy assignment -- this time to the Air Force Academy. Unfortunately, I can't help but be reminded of Oscar Wilde's admonition that "Duty is what one expects from others, it is not what one does oneself." I'm a retired military officer, and by no means an apologist for President Clinton. I understand very well the President's evident distain for the military, and for the apparent impact it had on us as a nation. This was one of many regrettable things that occurred during his presidency. But, Lt. Colonel Patterson does not speak for me. I'm afraid civilians reading this book will draw conclusions about this particular Commander in Chief, and the military he led, based on "facts not in evidence."
In sum, this book adds nothing new or even particularly meaningful to the continuing and important national discussion and debate concerning this particular president's legacy.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sad Essay of Misused Power
Review: Unfortunately, the depiction of Ex-President Clinton reflected in this book, is a clear depiction of the politics in the state that gave this man his foothold to power. You would have to live in Arkansas to understand that the fierce southern pride which causes such immense arrogance is the basis for why issues aren't dealt with but are to great lengths covered up so appearances are kept up to present a surreal picture of reality. This has allowed for this state to be in political and farcical disarray for years. Those who hold power and money do exactly what Clinton is depicted as doing. It is this state that bred this man and allowed his mastery of manipulation. It is a clear cut picture of how the American citizen is no longer an active participant in his/her own future. It is easier to believe the media sound bites than to research the truth. We have forsaken our individual rights to those who don't care about us but only about themselves. We must become more responsible for ourselves. We aren't a nation of vicitims and we need to stop behaving like one. We are the wealthiest nation in the world. Poverty in this nation is relative to what one owns; ie. do you have a DVD player or a computer in your home. Poverty in the third world countries is that of absolute deprivation; ie. where is my next meal coming from. Until we as the public of this great nation grow up and begin to accept responsibility for our own choices....there will always be Clintonites out there willing to take advantage of us. Hilary comes next. She will run in 2008 for the presidency and this country is in danger of repeating the Clinton years on a grander scale. Unfortunately, the liberal lie is that we aren't repsonsible for what is happening to us. Yes, we are. The reason American jobs have been sent abroad is due to the requirements of the Unions that aren't affordable in an international economy. The reason so many immigrants are coming in to take jobs is that jobs like chicken plucking, which is a huge industry in Arkansas, are beneath the average American. We have lost the sense of responbility and pride in what we do. It's no longer important that you make your own dime. We now want it handed to us whether we have earned it or not. Life isn't like that and until we accept this, we are at risk of accepting the liberal lefts idea that we all have to "feel good" about ourselves at any and all costs. The Clinton doctrine of "it's all about me" but I will tell you what ever you want to hear to get elected..."I feel your pain".. has to stop. Life isn't about you is a phrase I am constantly telling my children. You are responsible for your choices is another phrase I tell my children. IN SHORT.....WE, as the ADULTS of this nation, MUST GROW UP so that we can teach our children to be responsible adults. Until we accept responsibility for ourselves, every succeeding generation will give up responsibility for themselves. This book is a Sad Essay of Misused Power and Purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: Evaluations
Review: When I check on a book with Amazon I always read the negative evaluations. I suggest you do the same and then read President Clinton's handwritten evaluations of Lt. Col. Patterson. "He is very impressive and professional. I have a high regard for him and his potential." (1997) "He's a fine man. His work was outstanding. His potential is great." (1998).
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Summary: Few supporting facts
Review: I AM NO FAN OF THE CLINTONS, but it is disgusting what gets passed off as fact in this country. This is tabloid journalism. It is the largely unsubstantiated accusations of someone who clearly didn't like the Clintons. The whole account of Hillary's file boxes is a hilarious example. About the time that the White House claimed that boxes of suppoenaed evidence disappeared from the White House, Patterson notes that Hillary started taking some file boxes everywhere she went, never letting them out of her site. He never saw the contents, but he just "knew" that they contained the lost evidence. Well, any person who didn't like the Clintons and believed that they had engaged in criminal behavior would "know" the same thing, but most of us wouldn't print it as *fact* in a book without any other evidence! THERE ARE A LOT OF CAREFULLY RESEARCHED BOOKS REGARDING LEGAL ABUSES BY THE CLINTONS AND THEIR WHITE HOUSE. THIS BOOK MERELY TRIES TO PIGGY-BACK ON THEIR SUCCESS.
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Summary: Dereliction of Duty
Review: This Book documents in astounding detail the misbehavior of an American President. The Clinton White House was a travesty against the American People and this author gives us an inside tour of the depravity of the Clintons. Just the loss of the Nuclear control codes by this president should have landed him in Jail and the gross mistreatment of the Men & Woman who wear this country's uniform should have at the least brought a certain amount of shame to an obviously shameless persona.
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Summary: Dereliction of Duty ~
Review: A must read for everyone. It was a real eye opener for me.
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Summary: LIBERAL CLINTONITES WILL BE AWAKENED
Review: I could not beleive this man was elected the first time. Then a second. I think this book will help teach liberals not to be so naive. The author is a fine military man who can clearly be trusted with the truth, unlike the Clintons. Read, and pay special attention, to his thorough background check (Clinton didn't have). And if you think Hillary was ever just in the kitchen baking cookies you need to read this.
Bill and Hillary Clinton were to the Presidency what Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were to TV evangelists. A must read for the truth.
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Summary: Sandy Berger...An American Hero? Read the Book!
Review: I guarantee that the reader from New York (the liberal one) has not read this book.
You libs slay me. Can I have a toke off that pipe? Berger an American hero? This is the same Berger who lied under oath in front of a congressional subcommittee? The same Berger whose former boss has contradicted on several occasions? Including, for example, that he (Pres Clinton) HAD in fact been confronted with the decision to launch an attack on Bin Laden and CHOSE not too (as Patterson accurately states) due to the potential for collateral casualties?
This is the kind of reviewer (not reader) that's gonna vote for Dean. Please do!!
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Summary: PGA Tour - President's Golfing Await further instructions.
Review: I knew that this book is going to be good, not because of all the reviews I read, but because of the silent disbelieving head-shake, the clerk at the bookstore gave me, as soon as he saw and read the cover of the book, when I handed it to him ready to check out. I was further assured in a good choice, when I overheard that same clerk ask his fellow "check-out buddy" how to spell - GOSPEL [as in music] while trying to help the next customer. What's that got to do with this book? You ask. Realize that, those are the people who vote for politicians like Clinton, and think of him as the next best thing since the sliced bread. Those are the kind of people who on a worldwide scale believe in peace, and reflect on terrorism as something that we did to ourselves. Those are the people, that despite numerous and reliable accounts of Clinton's misbehaving refuse to see it for what it really is: a complete disregard for the national security fueled by need of personal gratification and advancement. The book is very well written. It is easy to read, and as some reviewers already said it: it is hard to put down. The author does not speculate on the affairs of the former President, oh no, Lt. Col. Patterson only gives mere accounts of what he observed. Honestly, I believe a retired Lt. Col. Patterson more, than I would former President. But that's just my opinion, and you are left to draw your own conclusions. Buy the book, read the facts.
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