It is a common fact of life that politicians and lawyers lie. We do not really talk about it because comedians do it for us.However, when a blatant lie comes to the surface, in some cases it cannot be ignored.

Former President Clinton recently had his license to practice law suspended by the Supreme Court for lying under oath.

Initially Clinton’s Arkansas law license was only going to be suspended for five years with a $25,000 fine. The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct wanted to disbar Clinton last year, starting a legal case that went to the Supreme Court.

With the new ruling by the Court, Clinton’s license has been suspended for 40 days, and he may be permanently disbarred.

When the Monica Lewinsky scandal took hold of the nation last year, it was hard for me to choose a side. Eventually I concluded that anyone would lie in that sort of situation, and that it was none of my business what the President was doing with his cigars.

As the Republicans tried everything they could to use the scandal against the President, I felt even more sympathy for Clinton and his family. The affair was a purely private issue that should have been dealt with inside the family. The impeachment turmoil was certainly torture enough, and I believed that the President should be left alone.

Unfortunately, the President lied under oath during a 1998 deposition. Lying under oath violates the ethics of being a lawyer and is a felony. The former President is getting off lightly in the eyes of the law.

While I would normally defend Clinton, on this issue I must agree with the Supreme Court. He has paid the social consequences for his actions and was impeached; yet no specific punishment has been handed down before this.

The President is not above the law in any circumstances.

Richard Nixon attempted to hold himself above the law, and accordingly the Supreme Court set him straight. I empathize with Clinton and his family, but he needs to pay the consequences for his actions.

Lying under oath, although understandable, cannot go unpunished.