Security at Clinton’s D.C. book-signing: His Life, his rules (FR mentioned in "The Hill" newspaper)

The Hill - Under the Dome ^ | July 8, 2004 | Albert Eisele and Jeff Dufour

[tgslTakoma]

Not only did more than a thousand fans of Bill Clinton show up at the Politics & Prose bookstore Tuesday to get their signed copies of My Life, but they were evidently a committed lot as well. Or so it seemed, given the hoops they had to jump through in order to get Clinton’s John Hancock.

Protesting the Clinton book-signing at Politics and Prose. (photo by Jeff Dufour)

According to the bookstore’s website, those lucky enough to score a spot in line had to make an additional trip to the store in order to pick up their book and “line ticket” prior to the signing, which was timed-entry, based upon last name.

Per “rules … established by the publisher and President Clinton’s staff,” the notice continues, “there is only one book per person, one person per book. Please do not bring a spouse, a child, or a friend to tag along when you have your book signed. No one but you will be allowed to enter the store.”

In addition, “Only copies of My Life will be signed. No other items, books, papers, or campaign memorabilia will be signed by President Clinton. … No photographs are allowed. … President Clinton will not be personalizing any books. … [And finally] because of the huge demand, we cannot promise that everyone’s book will be signed.”

An assortment of anti-Clinton protesters was also on hand, sequestered half a block down the sidewalk.

Kathy Wood of the conservative organization Free Republic said D.C. police immediately informed members of her group that if they denied “egress” to any passers-by, they would be removed from the area.

Jim Entringham, an official with the Campus Leadership Program, said there had been exchanges with Clinton foes. “We’ve gotten flipped off, screamed and yelled at. You like the people who come and make reasoned arguments,” he said.

[tgslTakoma]

Jimmy Valentine's brother christened the bookstore with a new name yesterday...Propaganda and Prose.

[Paul Atreides]

to get Clinton’s John Hancock.

to get Clinton’s John Han(d)cock.

[Paul Atreides]

More than a thousand, in D.C. What's the population of D.C.?

[tgslTakoma]

The Campus Leadership "kids" (college age, so they're kids in the good sense of the word) were great to protest with yesterday. They were full of energy and good humor, had great signs and costumes and throughout the sun and heat of the afternoon, they continued with their high-spirited chants; including the Cops Cheer!

With great young people like we met yesterday, there is great hope for conservative values remaining alive in the future.

My daughter had to work yesterday, but I know that if she had been able to attend the Freep with me, she would have had a blast with these folks.

[Sacajaweau]

Excellent!!

[tgslTakoma]

I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner than just now; we should have handed out "Universal Precautions" gloves for the Sinkmaster's adoring fans who were waiting to shake his hand. (ewww)

[Paul Atreides]

Not to mention a bottle of Spray-N-Wash.

[tgslTakoma]

Somewhere around a half a million, I would guess.

[mcenedo]

Jim Entringham, an official with the Campus Leadership Program, said there had been exchanges with Clinton foes. “We’ve gotten flipped off, screamed and yelled at.

You like the people who come and make reasoned arguments,” he said.

Were they with us or against us?

[tgslTakoma]

!!!

[Paul Atreides]

Just over a thousand, out of half a million. I'm so impressed.

[tgslTakoma]

With us. The guy was making fun of their single digit salutes, being the "reasoned arguments."

The flip-off folks never hang around to discuss high crimes and stuff. We even had a few drive-by flip offs, bicycle and auto.

[AGreatPer]

Great Stuff! Way to go DC Freepers.

[tgslTakoma]

And they were almost all white, and had parked their SUVs, Lexuses(sp?), Volvos, etc., willy-nilly along Nebraska Ave.

Lots of out of state tags on the vehicles... probably Hill staffers, DNC and labor Union staffers. Not too many "little guys" in line for the book that I could see.

[Paul Atreides]

I saw another article, in another city, stating that there were "just over a thousand."

[tgslTakoma]

Thanks, AGP. Bill is working very hard to rewrite/whitewash his legacy, and still trying to make himself relevant. That's why we have to keep going out and reminding folks what all he did do to damage America. Otherwise he will cleanse his public history as fully as he has done in his book.

[freekitty]

Freepers never deny access to the public no matter how wrong it is.

[firebrand]

I hope you allowed everyone "egress." LMAO. "Las cucarachas entran, pero no pueden salir!"

[tgslTakoma]

We had a couple of female DC cops who were apparently unhappy to be stationed outside in the sun rather than inside the store where they could have caught a glimpse of the Impeached One; so they felt the need to tell us what we already knew and were self-policing.

Power and "authority" does odd things to some people.

[Doctor Raoul]

Kathy Wood of the conservative organization Free Republic said D.C. police immediately informed members of her group that if they denied “egress” to any passers-by, they would be removed from the area.

Of all that they could have written about, it's strange they picked that. We've been doing this for years and understand that you can't obstruction pedestrian traffic and you can't play in the street. The reporter failed to note the irony that the line for the signing had pedestrians going into the street to get past the Clintonoids.