Pres. Clinton: Anti-Gov Feelings Parallel Pre OK City Bombing

Speaking on the anniversary of one of the most traumatic domestic events of his presidency during an event at the Center for American Progress, Clinton judged the “fever” of anti-government sentiment in the mid-1990s to be similar in some respects to the current political environment.

Making comparisons between the two times is “a legitimate thing to do, but I think it’s important to draw the contrast between what happened then and what’s happening to America,” Clinton said.

“What we learned from Oklahoma City is not that we should gag each other or that we should hold less passion for the positions we hold, but that our words really do matter. There is this vast echo chamber, and the words fall on the serious and delirious alike,” the former president warned. “Have at it. Go fight. Do whatever you want. You don’t have to be nice. But be careful with what you say and do not advocate violence.”

Clinton said the same kind of "disorientation" that riled Americans during his term is apparent today in "the idea that we ought to bring back Confederate month in Virginia without talking anything about slavery" and "the fact that you ought to be able to pack a six-gun into Starbucks and order a Cowboy Latte."