Posted on 03/08/2007 11:02:22 AM PST by presidio9
For Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal, meeting former president Bill Clinton was like running into a rock star. "I don't really idolize political figures, but people who are hard-core public servants just about stop me in my tracks," Lowenthal said.
The councilwoman joined more than 200 people March 6 at a fundraiser sponsored by the law firm Keesal, Young & Logan in the Union Bank building. The proceeds benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach.
Because Mayor Bob Foster and the entire council attended the afternoon event, the regularly scheduled 5 p.m. council meeting was pushed back to 6:30 p.m. But because council members slowly trickled into council chambers, the meeting didn't start until closer to 7 p.m.
"I was so happy that I didn't want to go back to the council meeting," Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga said. "Republican or Democrat, you gotta give it to him. To be there was truly an honor."
Uranga compared Clinton's charisma to the charm of former Mayor Beverly O'Neill.
"He makes you feel like you're the only one in the room," Uranga said.
The wildly popular O'Neill served as the head of the city for 12 years before choosing to retire from
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- her seat. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who had previously met Clinton three times, said she was impressed by the former president's vast knowledge.
"He's got such an incredible mind and an incredible grasp of public policy issues," she said. "It was a mini-lesson in public policy, one we haven't heard in a long time."
The former president talked about growing income inequalities, the importance of civic involvement and school uniforms, and the city's revitalization in the wake of the Navy base closure.
Clinton's message, Lowenthal said, focused on his belief in everyone serving the community and the importance of public service. Specifically, he shared his thoughts on five questions for the 21st century, Lowenthal said.
The questions, Lowenthal said, included pondering the effects of fluid geographical boundaries, the advantages and disadvantages of living in an age of global interdependence, how to shift from interdependence to integration, and figuring out who is responsible for making such changes.
"He is really genuine. It doesn't sound like he's lecturing from an ivory tower," Lowenthal said.
"He got a standing ovation when he walked in and at the end of his speech. He's quite the rock star."
Noise discussion
The Environmental Committee will hold a meeting today to discuss possible ways to cut down on noise throughout the city.
Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal, a committee member, has proposed bumping up construction start times on weekdays to 8 a.m. from 7 a.m., revising entertainment permit requirements, changing the permitted times for power tool use, reviewing noise laws in the marinas and the harbor, and identifying places where idling buses congregate.
"We are working to recognize and respond to community concerns about noise pollution in our neighborhoods," said Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, who chairs the committee.
Councilman Patrick O'Donnell, the committee's vice chairman, will host the meeting with Lowenthal and Uranga to receive community input.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Newcomb Academy Auditorium, 3351 Val Verde Ave.
Geez, did she change her underwear afterward? Why certain women would idolize a rapist is beyond me...
Geeze, lady, get a life. Clinton's just another smarmy hypocritical politican. No need to get all breathless.
I bet Monica Lewinsky thought he was a hard-core public servant, too.
Why do idiots like these people always try to act like even Republicans adore and worship their human gods the way liberals do? Also, she never saw Rush's video clips about how vicious this guy really is when he doesn't realize the cameras are on. And his policy bilge. The "third-party way"? Just regurgitated Nazi propaganda.
Correct. It's a pretty entertaining thread. I only found it again, because I used the same keyword.
The "third way" is technically Nazi propaganda but its exact wording was invented by Benito Mussolini who termed Fascism the "third way" from Capitalism or Socialism, I think that is what he said. It really does surprise me, knowing that for Liberals, anyone to the right of Stalin is a "fascist."
Actually I knew that. I always think of it as Nazi propaganda though because I saw a Nazi prison camp movie (like "The Great Escape" or "Stalag 17" though I don't think it was either of those) in which the prison guard talked to an American prisoner who said something along the lines that the Nazis weren't like the evil Communists who didn't believe in private property or the evil American capitalist who were owned by the corporatist and Jews. No, the Nazis were the "good" people who had a third way. When I saw Clinton first use those words I figured he must have seen the movie because he used almost the exact same words and emphasized them the same way.
Actually Clinton would stop me in my tracks, too. I would immediately cross the street to avoid him, lest I give into the temptation to trip him and get myself arrested by the Secret Service guys.
Pity no one had some Sexual Predator Alerts handy....
I would agree.......BlowJobBilly has a great deal in common with most rock stars.
And Monica has a lot in common with most vending machines........(Old Joke)
I would agree.......BlowJobBilly has a great deal in common with most rock stars.
And Monica has a lot in common with most vending machines........(Old Joke)
"Why certain women would idolize a rapist is beyond me..."
I have no idea, and I am a woman! Can't be his looks -- he's a pasty-faced old geezer with a bulbous nose. That being said, ol' Bubba is going to have a massive MI while in some hotel room with one of his bimbos, and his Secret Service detail is going to have some real cleaning up to do.
Particularly in the modern world, we need a leader, not a rock star.
lol, agreed.
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