From the file. Written for the paper dated November 2007. Opened in the public stacks July 14, 2026.
In the world of American politics, the concept of a special counsel has often served as a double-edged sword, wielded by both sides of the aisle to pursue their interests while conveniently forgetting their own past transgressions.
The Bipartisan Habit of Selective Memory
As November 2007 unfolds, the political landscape is charged with the latest developments surrounding special counsels. With the impending release of reports and potential indictments, we find ourselves in a familiar cycle of outrage, finger-pointing, and selective memory. This phenomenon is not new; it has been a staple of American political life for decades. However, what is particularly striking in our current context is how both major parties appear to be engaging in a well-rehearsed act of amnesia concerning their own histories with special prosecutions.
From the Watergate scandal leading to the investigation of Richard Nixon to the more recent inquiries into the Clinton administration’s activities, special counsels have been called upon to investigate allegations of wrongdoing. In theory, they are intended to provide an unbiased look into the potential misconduct of those in power. Yet, the reality often diverges sharply from this ideal. Instead, we see a political weapon that both parties wield, often with a lack of self-awareness about their own pasts.
On the right, the current administration seems eager to paint the special counsel process as a partisan witch hunt, a narrative that gains traction among its staunch supporters. They argue that the investigations are driven by a liberal agenda intent on undermining the presidency. Yet this same cohort has conveniently forgotten the fervor with which they pursued investigations against Bill Clinton in the late 1990s. During that time, the mantra was clear: accountability must prevail, regardless of party affiliation. Now, however, the tune has changed, and the same voices calling for justice are now decrying it as a tool of oppression.
Conversely, the left has similarly engaged in this game of selective memory. Even as they decry the potential misuse of power by the current administration, they seem to forget their own complicity in the special counsel investigations of yesteryears. The cries for transparency and accountability ring hollow when one considers the fervent support for investigations that sought to undermine President George W. Bush's decisions regarding the Iraq War. The same principles of justice and oversight are now being painted as partisan attacks when directed at their own.
"Both parties are guilty of using special counsels as a tool to pursue their political enemies while ignoring their own past."
This selective memory serves a dual purpose: it allows each party to rally its base while simultaneously casting the other side in a negative light. The result is a political environment where truth is sacrificed at the altar of partisanship. The American public is left to navigate a murky landscape where the rule of law is less about justice and more about loyalty to party lines.
Both sides are now trapped in a cycle of outrage and denial. Each new revelation from the special counsel's office is met not with a sober assessment of the facts, but with a barrage of accusations, as though the mere act of investigation is an affront to democracy itself. This culture of outrage only serves to erode trust in governmental institutions, as citizens become disillusioned with a system that appears to be rigged in favor of partisan interests.
As the investigations unfold, it is crucial for both the left and the right to confront their own histories with special counsels. Acknowledging the flaws in this process does not mean condoning misconduct; rather, it means advocating for a more consistent and principled approach to accountability. Each party must recognize that the very actions they now decry were once championed when they were in the opposition.
The time has come for a collective reckoning. If we continue to allow partisanship to dictate our perception of justice, we risk further dividing an already fragmented electorate. The special counsel system, designed to uphold the rule of law, should not be a pawn in the political game. Instead, it should serve its original purpose: to ensure accountability and transparency in our government.
A Call for Integrity
In the coming weeks, as we await the findings from the special counsel's office, it is essential that both parties step back and reflect on their roles in perpetuating this cycle of selective memory. It is only through acknowledging the past and committing to a more principled approach in the future that we can restore faith in the integrity of our political processes.
As the investigations continue, let us hope for a more mature discourse - one that emphasizes truth over tribalism and justice over partisanship. The American public deserves nothing less.
✦ ✦ ✦
For local service context, see Brainrecoverycenters.