- Ronald Reagan
Posted on 06/13/2004 7:52:20 AM PDT by steplock
Saturday morning began as a beautiful Arkansas morning, with the robins searching for worms, the cardinals at the bird feeder, the thrush splashing in the water and all the other birds singing in the trees.
Then, suddenly, the skies darkened and the air felt oppressive and evil - I thought a storm was moving in so I began to shut all the windows I had opened earlier to let in the fresh breezes.
Oddly, the rain never came until near sundown, when a refreshing shower seemed to clear the air of all the pollutions.
This morning I see what had befallen our small world here in Hot Springs, Arkansas.....
Clinton slips into city for surprise visit - (and crawls back out again) BY DON THOMASON - The Sentinel-Record
Slipping quietly into town Saturday afternoon, former President Bill Clinton and CBS Evening News anchorman Dan Rather made their first stop at one of Clinton’s favorite eating establishments – McClard’s Bar-B-Q.
Although the visit was supposed to be more or less hushhush, several tables marked ‘Reserved’ may have tipped off some diners at the always-busy McClard’s that something was afoot. Several patrons seemed to do nothing more than move their food around on the plate while waiting to see what was going to happen.
Arriving from Hope about an hour later than those in the know expected, Clinton’s entourage filed into the restaurant around 2:45 p.m., surprising unsuspecting diners while delighting his step-father, Dick Kelley, and many of his long-time friends who were on hand for the occasion.
Before being able to enjoy his meal, Clinton spent about 30 minutes greeting members of the McClard family and employees, especially Wyoma Rowton, who has worked for McClard’s for 43 years and served many meals to Clinton – before, during, and after his presidency.
With the restaurant almost bulging at the seams, it was not long before the sounds of talk and laughter made it all but impossible to carry on a conversation in a normal voice and only bits and pieces of conversation could be understood.
Coming in several minutes after Clinton, Rather wasted no time in getting to know his friends, who appeared to enjoy the opportunity to share their memories with the newsman.
While in town to gather information for an exclusive "60 Minutes" broadcast on June 20, in which Clinton will discuss his book, Clinton and Rather were also scheduled to visit his boyhood home, Oaklawn School, the former Hot Springs High School, Park Place Baptist Church and Central Bowling Lanes before going on to Little Rock Saturday evening.
At the bowling alley, boyhood friend David Leopoulos joined Clinton, Rather and others as they took time out to bowl a game or two. Bert Botter, owner of the bowling alley, said he wasn’t sure if it was helping his business or not as the majority of the people were observing Clinton’s group bowl.
"There are several police cars in the parking lot, so maybe they thought there had been an accident or something."
Clinton would not speculate Saturday on how well the book might sell but said, "It’s a love affair with Arkansas and there’s a lot of stuff in it about Hot Springs."
According to a Kansas City Star article posted on the Internet Friday, the first printing of 1.5 million copies of the book have already been sold. The 900-pageplus book will not be released until June 22. The article also said the book was listed as No. 1 on the Amazon.com sales marketing list Wednesday and Thursday and the Barnes and Noble Web site also had it listed as No. 1 Thursday. As the keynote speaker at BookExpo America earlier this month in Chicago, CNN.com said Clinton summed up his book in two sentences.
"When I was a young man, getting out of law school, I said one of the goals I had in life was to write a great book. I have no earthly idea if it’s a great book but it’s a pretty good story."
A statement issued by Sonny Mehta, president and editor-inchief of Alfred A. Knoph, publisher of the book, said, "It is the fullest and most nuanced account of a presidency ever written, and one of the most revealing and remarkable memoirs I have ever had the honor of publishing.
"He talks with candor about his successes, as well as his setbacks, looking at both his career in public service and his life."
Clinton, who received an estimated $10-12 million advance from the publisher, said recently he hopes his memoir stimulates interest in the elections and the party.
"I think that it will not detract in any way. I hope it will make citizens believe in politics more and believe in the importance of elections more and understand the honest differences between the two parties more."
Ooops - I forgot to add ---- Opening lines were mine.
Truer words were never spoken.
Still behind the times. What a shock.
A good "story" I wonder if children under 18 will be able to read it without parental supervision.
And they were good ones. Glad you survived the passage of the darkness.
So...is this the kickoff of Clintoon's book tour? And will Dan Rather accompany him to all the signings? (Sitting to the side, looking on adoringly...)
Well, don't panic! just hook up a few firehoses and wash away the slime trail!
If you dilute it enough it probably won't eat away the underground supports holding up your main downtown street.
He is in his 50's not his teens, right?
Yeah, that's his style alright. But then what would you expect from a snake? Here's what Hope thinks of him:
.
Excellent! I sent that to our local 'sentinel-record' and to the Ark-Times (aka dem-gaz et al)
I doubt that they will run any of my commentary any more. Here's what I sent them:
"On Bill Clinton's sneak visit on Saturday to promote his novel. Just remember what President Ronald Reagan said many years ago ...."
"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."
SO THIS IS NEWS.
"You know, the black hookers in NYC are fine, truly fine. They are good looking, reasonably priced for market conditions, mostly clean and will bring their own stuff. But, no matter how far you travel, there is something about black hookers from home that can't be beat."
Good to see that Dan was able to dry his crocodile tears from President Reagan's passing and get back to his REAL job...carrying water for his liberal overseers.
Of course it's "a love affair with Arkansas." Didn't they have bumper stickers there saying, "Honk if Bill Clinton hasn't groped you"? ;)
I believe the money for Clinton's book, as well as Hitlery, was a payoff.
I wonder if Dan will visit Juanita Broaddrick's nursing home.
"most nuanced account of a presidency ever written"
Translation: It's just one big lie after another!
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