We heard it during Monica Lewinsky's unexpected coming-out party, when Our President was insisting she was a mere White House pizza deliverer. We heard it during Independent Counsel Ken Starr's inquiry into the president's veracity. And we heard it during the Republican led-Congress's move to impeach a president now found to have lied and obstructed justice, hence his contempt of court citation. Alas, they perceived no Woodwards, no Bernsteins, no John Deans or Deep Throats. The Economist said it, and you can be sure that throughout the media the exhaust pipes of our Kultursmog are spreading it.
Philosophers often consider first causes before making moral judgments.
Consider the cause of Bill Clinton's impeachment. Clinton lied in a sexual harassment suit. No other agent caused him to telephone her, coach her, and then lie under oath about it. He caused his impeachment. Consider the cause of Campaign 2000's Endless Election.