I have to agree that the media really pushed this “Connected to a Prostitution Ring” line. He hired a high price hooker, big F%#ing deal. The fact that he is a hypocrit who harrasses people about their personal lives (like seeing hookers or having affairs) to get them to reach deals to avoid prison is the important fact here.
The last 3 presidents received millions after leaving office, Reagan, Bush, received $8 mill, $4 mill, from Japanese business within year of leaving office, for coming to japan to give speeches. Bill Clinton has earned $40 million from speeches since leaving office.
I don’t begrudge people making money, but it sure makes you wonder how many of these speeches are “payoffs” that were made with a nudge and a wink. Hell, Guys this level don’t need to actually cut deals, they know who their friends are and their friends $ee to their need$.
Now why would bush only get $4 million? Because he was only in office 1 term and the Japanese pay $1 million a year.
Reagan
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE0DB1738F93BA15753C1A96F948260
The former President’s visit has been sponsored by the Japanese Government and the Fujisankei Communications Group, which has spent between $6 million and $8 million, including a $2 million honorarium for Mr. Reagan. In return, both Mr. and Mrs. Reagan have given exclusive interviews in the company’s outlets
Bush 1
Former President George Bush is planning to spend nearly a week in Japan this month speaking at meetings sponsored by an organization connected with the Unification Church of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
The organization, the Women’s Federation for World Peace, was founded and is headed by Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of the church leader. At the “Global Family Festival” on Sept. 14 in the Tokyo Dome baseball stadium, Mr. Bush and his wife, Barbara, are to share the speaker’s podium with Mrs. Moon.
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/09/24/moon/index.html
his Washington Times foundation gave $1 million to the George H.W. Bush presidential library and has paid the former president untold amounts in speaking fees.
Clinton
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/feb/24/usa.ewenmacaskill
Talk is cheap, unless you are a charismatic former US president with a notorious personal history. Since leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton has amassed an estimated $40m (£20m) from speaking fees.
Last year was his best yet, raking in between $9m and $10m from speeches around the world, from Australia to Egypt and Colombia.