Glass Houses

by Stanley G. Hilton and Anne-Renee Testa

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312971028
• ISBN13: 9780312971021
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Judging the Judges

The authors are a lawyer and a psychologist. Both have experience in politics as a reporter or a candidate. This book notes that the attempted impeachment of President Clinton for extramarital relations is a novel interpretation of the Constitution. First, the Starr persecution for alleged corruption failed; then it was switched to Clinton's private sexual behavior. [Could this be an unpublished perquisite of office?] The publicity in the media suggests a conspiracy, or control by the National Association of Editors and Publishers. Then the Republican Party leaders acted to support their "family values". Was this Hypocrisy? Do our officials regularly lie to the American people? Does corruption damage our government?This book is about the officials in Congress who were most outspoken about conduct that they have also done. Presidents from Washington to Clinton have lied, and not just about private behavior. Congressmen hide some of their private and public actions. There are about 100 secret rooms in the Capitol for trysting Congressmen (p.15). But Washington has a code of silence that crosses party lines. This applies to marijuana, cocaine, and PCP. If Clinton "harassed" Paula Jones because of Clinton's official status, what does it say about the Senate and their employees? Newton Gingrich restored the old custom of allowing the House to "sleep" overnight in their offices.This book has a chapter for: Henry Hyde, Barney Frank, Bill McCollum, Dick Armey, Bob Barr, Joe Biden, David Bonior, Dan Burton, Ken Calvert, Helen Chenoweth, Alfonse D'Amato, Tom DeLay, Newt Gingrich, Phil Gramm, Alcee Hastings, Orrin Hatch, Kay Baily Hutchinson, Jay Kim, Dennis Kucinich, Bob Livingston, Trent Lott, John McCain, John Mica, Carol Mosely-Braun, Frank Murkowski, John E. Peterson, Chuck Robb, Dan Schaefer, EG (Bud) Shuster, Bob Smith, Gerald BH Solomon, Bob Stump, Strom Thurmond, JC Watts, and David Weldon.The impeachment of Clinton, then Gore, would make Gingrich President. More importantly, we would have passed to a Parliamentary form of government where the legislature is supreme without any Constitutional Amendment. That failed, because in my opinion President Clinton bought enough votes to defeat his impeachment. The authors ask if sexual dalliances would have defeated Washington, Roosevelt, or Kennedy (p.250)? [No mention of Ike, Ford, or Reagan.] Probably the latter two. Washington may not have been different from Franklin, Hamilton, or the others. The real question is: did their policies make life better for the people (p.253)?

startling

I was skeptical about this book at first but after reading the profiles of the three members of Congress about whom I know the most (Henry Hyde, Trent Lott and Carol Moseley-Braun) I came to the conclusion that not only is it factual for the most part, but it doesn't go far enough. The authors clearly think that impeaching President Clinton over something as banal as lying about a sexual affair with a consenting adult is bizarre beyond belief especially given that a) most of the attacks on the prez have come from Republican leaders who have done far worse things than Clinton; and b) many of these same officials sat by while Reagen and Bush actually committed crimes that really were worthy of impeachment.However, the authors don't spare Democrats. Also covered are Barney Frank, Joseph Biden, David Bonior, Alcee Hastings and Chuck Robb but to be fair, Democrats only comprise six of the 35 profiles. It's difficult to know if this is because the rest of the Democrats in Congress are reasonably clean or if the authors were deliberating targeting Republicans since they are the ones who are out to get Clinton.The book makes three things clear: 1) the GOP leaders who launched the impeachment attack on the president have elevated hypocrisy to a new limit; 2) the House Ethics Committee is a joke; and 3) that nothing will change until campaign financing laws are rewritten so it is not possible for political action committees, corporations and individuals to "buy" congresspersons.I wish the authors had documented their allegations more completely, with footnotes and references (although parts of this book comes from interviews with Congressional staffers and with the Capitol Police). I also think it would be a great idea if they put out this kind of book every two years, six months or so before the House elections.

Refreshing view of people protecting my morals.

I am surprised that the number of reviews and discussion about this book is so limited. Why aren't there more? I know why. Everyone is afraid of being sued. I believe the message in this book leads to realistically removing the garments of hypocracy. I find this book a collection of facts and opinions fascinating. I can do without the psychological comments. The profiles illustrate the unprincipaled devices used by those thatare charged to "protect" us. I feel that these peole should be exposed.Potentially, they represent a serious threat to the average citizen. Though not all the transgressions are monumentally serious, I believe that our protectors need to be carefully monitored. If ignored, we will lose our freedom in small, continous assaults by greedy and power-hungry special interests

excellent...historical data on congressmen; rel. to Clinton'

Big Plus_Authors are qualified and knowledgeable to make this report. Shows hypocracy of those sitting in judgment at the TRIAL of the CENTURY. Up to date as of October 15, 1998. On Supermarket bookstands now. I hope it is widely read.

Shows that Clinton isn't the only pol with a few skeletons

Authors Hilton and Testa chronicle numerious allegations of misconduct and misbehavior of a variety of political figures. In a bi-partisan way they clearly demonstrate that Clinton is not alone when it comes to allegations relating to sexual misconduct and other abuses. From rumors of children born out of wedlock and cases of sexual harrassment, to helping friends and supporters gain special favors from the government, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in "official Washington." If the old cliche "You can't tell the players without a scorecard" is true, here's the scorecard.