Posted on 11/14/2004 5:58:21 PM PST by hope
Clinton 'Elvis' Library to Include Monica As Bill Clinton's library is unveiled at a gala opening this week, one thing is certain: His messy legacy will be on full display. One alcove will be dedicated to impeachment, and organizers have promised not to sidestep even Monica Lewinsky or Paula Jones. The 58-year-old political superstar is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to his library.
"Bill Clinton is a rock star," said Skip Rutherford, head of Clinton's nonprofit foundation that built the $165 million library. "He is Elvis."
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center, a metaphorical "bridge to the 21st century" cantilevered out over the bank of the Arkansas River, opens Thursday as the highlight of a week of programs, exhibits and symposiums.
The week will include an Aretha Franklin concert, a science discussion by astronaut and former Democratic Sen. John Glenn, dedication of new sculptures on the riverfront and at the airport, and a reception to which Whoopi Goldberg, Cicely Tyson and Quincy Jones have been invited.
At Thursday morning's grand opening, speakers will include Clinton, his wife Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Bush, former President Bush and former President Carter. Some 30,000 guests have been invited to gather on the library lawn and U2's Bono and The Edge will perform.
Visitors to the 150,000-square-foot glass and steel center designed by architect James Polshek will get to see how Clinton, his closest advisers and exhibit designer Ralph Appelbaum tell Clinton's story.
Clinton has promised to give scholars early access to previously private policy advice and other documents he isn't required to release until 2006. He already has written about the Lewinsky and Jones sex scandals, impeachment and his political missteps in his memoir, "My Life."
Hillary Rodham Clinton has said controversial subjects shouldn't be kept out of the library because "this is part of history." On Friday, she said the library would be "a comprehensive accurate story of the eight years of the Clinton administration."
Because Clinton is still so topical, Rutherford believes the nation's 12th presidential library will establish a new model for presidential libraries. Officials hope the center will draw more than 300,000 visitors a year to Little Rock and help drive the area's economy.
Other presidential libraries have struggled to draw admission-paying visitors. Rutherford said that's because they are either in sentimental locations too far off the beaten path or are lost in larger metropolises. Downtown Little Rock is a happy medium, he said.
The library has already had an economic impact. Since the site was chosen in 1997, the depressed surrounding warehouse district has been reinvigorated and downtown Little Rock is suddenly the place to be, with shiny new condos, hip renovated lofts and swanky restaurants.
The library has directly or indirectly inspired $800 million in new downtown development, 2,000 new or refurbished hotel rooms, cultural events in the nearby River Market District, a streetcar line that opened Nov. 1, and the selection of Alltel Arena as an opening-round venue for the 2008 NCAA basketball tournament. There are plans for a new minor-league ballpark, talk of a $100 million arts and entertainment district and efforts to start a nonprofit corridor.
© 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note:Reprinted from NewsMax.com
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004 5:45 p.m. EST
101
>>>> The Commerce Department selling seats on trade delegations
>>>> Selling overnights in the Lincoln Bedroom
>>>> The White House "coffees"
>>>> The $5,000 donations from Buddhist 'monks'
>>>> The Travel Office firings
>>>> The last minute pardon of Mark Rich and other assorted ne'er do wells.
>>>> LORAL's special deals with Red China
>>>> The deal with the Riadys which led to Federal confiscation of America's best coal reserves.
>>>> etc. etc etc.
Please pray us here in central Arkansas as we are once again subjected to, and must relive the Clinton/media orgy.
My God, what was he thinking?
"pray for us"
sorry.
Presented as a Public Service
Certain FReepers may need this
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The big question is, who gets the Handi-Wipe concession at the exit? Big money to be made there.
"Haha...I didn't get impeached". (I just lied to you on National TV!!!!!!!!! How dumb you American people are. And you're even stupid enough to still love me.)
Hope he gets his just due someday.
ewww!
Reminds me . . . will they have a replica of his favorite sink?
This is a joke, right? He is actually going to have a Monica alcove? Okay, we now have the definitive evidence that our country had been going in the wrong, wrong, direction.
But, unfortunately, everyone at the Grand Opening (except the Bushs' -- which in my opinion is a mistake)thinks Clinton was the ethical president and Bush the unethical president. Go figure!!!!!!!
Why wasn't Monica invited to the grand opening if it's all just history as hillary has stated. Hillary should have bellied up to the bar and invited her personally.
Looks like Bill is going to generate big bucks showing porn movies.
I think I'm going to be sick. Is that really Monica?
$165 million? For what? A Democrat Graceland??? Were the hookers included in the building costs?
FYI...If you've ever been through Hope, Arkansas, you will see bullet holes in the exit sign on the freeway where it proudly proclaims, "Birthplace of President Bill Clinton."
It is too funny...and it seems that attempts have been made to patch them, but someone riddles them with bullets after the attempt. It is hilarious! Wish I could find my photo to post.
Sorry, Bill, you were impreached, just not removed from office.
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