Longing for the Past
June 26th, 2006
Our friend Dave Rolland, who is the editor of San Diego CityBeat, wrote a great column in this week’s issue about recently meeting President Clinton. The gist is that he discovered the stories about Bill are true: he IS that smart, that charming, that thoughtful.
Sigh.
Kudos to Dave Rolland - for both asking the pointed questions and reporting on the answers and the remarkable demeanor of the former Prez. Dave’s experience does, as he notes, mirror so many other reported experiences with BC. There is no doubt that the man is indeed in possession of one of the most agile minds ever to inhabit the White House. He also possesses the political savvy which got him there - a highly unusual combination.
Looking back on BC’s tenure I think I took for granted the feeling that he was his own man. While he listened intently to both his advisors and his critics - and probably anyone with a brain whom he encoutered, such as Dave, in the end he was his own person, making decisions based on analysis of complex facts and political realities.
Looking back I appreciate how good it was to know that someone that accomplished was in charge of the most powerful country in the world. When we learned that this brilliant man had, like the rest of us, feet of clay, it should have been a cause for reflection on our own parts and on history rather than condemnation. Put in context of all great leaders of the past - well, it was what it was, and no more.
In hindsight, reflecting on the actual response of America to BC’s “crimes” (quite different, I might add, from the rest of the world’s response) it is not really surprising that we ended up with a puppet President of little brain and born-again religious fervor who listens to no one except those who confirm his own superficial and specious beliefs. I’ve often thought that BC uderstands this and struggles personally with his own role in how it came about….hence the heart attact AFTER he left office. I think he has paid far more dearly than any of us realize for neglecting to deal with his past and its resultant personal demons as he rose to the top of the political heap.
No doubt in my mind that Bill “gets it” all too well. The sad thing is, America doesn’t.
If Dave can fall for Bill Clinton, can anyone truly blame a 23 year old intern with bouncy hair?
I found your blog through RubySoho, and I read them both daily. Thanks for the link to the Dave Rolland article, it’s great. I’m with you Aaryn. But if I were the 23-year-old intern, I would not have gotten my Gap dress soiled. It would have been OFF.
Three cheers for the president who banned gay marriage!
Are you “girls” for real? Is that all we care about…the whole “charm” thing is way overrated and that accent is too phony.
Let’s talk about what it means to be a real, honest and genuine man. Last I checked, getting a smoker at work is just a glimpse into his “real” soul. He may be stuck in a loveless marriage with old thunder-calves, but that’s no excuse for being a liar and a wimp. Not to mention Gennifer Flowers and Paula “nose-job” Whats-Her-Name. How many others did he pay off?
Oh! And how about that honesty thing he has going for him? Let’s see…”I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” What was it…a prostate exam? Frightening.
Is it okay for the recently “Betrothed” to get a few BJ’s from some cute but pudgy intern? Would he still be as smart, charming, thoughtful or dreamy? I think not.
No, this “girl” (if I really AM a “girl”) isn’t for real at all. Buttersmom (if she really is a “mom”) has spelled out a very convincing and righteous argument, if not a little bit petty with the Paula “nose-job” remark. I would much prefer a Real, Honest and Genuine Man like George W. Bush who can’t form a complex sentence; who thinks Africa is a country; who thinks science is a bunch of silly stuff; who thinks he is descended directly from God (rather than apes as is more likely the case); who waged a LIE of a war on a country that did nothing to us (but since he’s telling the lies, then it’s okay cuz he’s a Christian); who’s spying on the American public and checking our bank transactions; who thinks sex should only be between a man and a woman (unless your Karl Rove or Condi Rice and then it’s okay to fuck whomever you like as long as you tow the line). Yes, this small-minded, spoiled little worm of a bigot is MUICH more attractive than the imperfect, fallible and very human Mr. Bill Clinton and his “pudgy intern”. And it is SO GROSS that he got a blow job ON the job. I mean, I NEVER!!!! Thank you, Butters”mom”, thank you, for pointing out my irrational point of view.
I stand corrected.
I’m totally with you on that Andrew. Not Clinton’s finest hour. However, I stand by my earlier comment. I’m totally able to have sex with someone I passionately disagree with on certain issues. That’s how I stay so happily married.
It really is despicable how Bill Clinton lied about something as important and meaningful as a blow job–I mean somebody might have actually BELIEVED him and thought he really didn’t get one!!!
I can’t help myself but chime in. I seriously don’t give a rats ass about the blow jobs. Billy-boy wasn’t perfect, that’s for sure on MANY issues especially now in hindsight, but lets give a rest to the notion that any politician can survive on truth and goodness. He’s the best we had in a whole hell of a long time and I miss him.
guess my last comment did not make it to your site. Just wanted to say that dwelling on the past is not going to make the future brighter. Clinton was no Mother Theresa nor Pope Benedict XV.
If I were to long for the past, I would reach farther back & pre Clinton. Then again, what good is that? Future is in your hands. Be cautious about those you idolize