But the fierce fight to confirm the appointment of Clarence Thomas cost dad a second term. He was beaten by an unknown from Arkansas named Bill Clinton. The son won the presidency back for the Republicans in a very close election, running against Clinton's Vice President, Al Gore. It finally went to the Supreme Court, where Clarence Thomas cast the deciding vote in favor of the son. Will the son's support of Israel, and his failure to abide by acceptable legal procedures that protect human rights, now cost him his job? The coming congressional elections will offer a clue. At the moment, the world sees more zeal than wisdom; more cruelty than kindness, and at the moment he is keeping bad company. As for Mahathir, he is Malaysia's Stalin.