I'm pleased to see that America's affection for Clinton is still Alive and Well. Regardless of what you may think of him as a president ... or as a man ... you have to admit that there is still a bit of fondness bestowed upon him by many Americans. Maybe it is that his presidency was one of more Pleasant times of days gone by. I mean, soon after "W" moved in the whole World went to hell. Didn't it? We were all screwed beyond belief, but didn't understand the extent of the screwing 'til about 8 months later. Knowing what we know now, I wonder if those who voted "W" in would take back their votes? We'll never know. Anyway, I digress ... The afternoon of 9/11, I left campus and eventually landed at a corner table in a local coffee shop sitting alone, my head still reeling ... wondering what the *&!% just happened. A guy walked in humming "It's the End of the World" ... a nervous chuckle escaped me before I had a chance to smack it back down. And I feel fine ... That day is crystallized in my Mind. It was the moment I realized we were all Beyond Screwed. Completely.
"Lock him in uniform and book burning,
blood letting. Every motive escalate.
Automotive incinerate. Light a candle,
light a motive ...
A tournament,
a tournament, a tournament of lies."
-- REM, "It's the End of the World"
We would soon find ourselves in a war that would last well after my generation had passed on ... fighting a "conceptual" enemy [have They even bothered to look up "terrorism" in the dictionary?] ... with nonexistent funds ... and a mentality that the World somehow sent a psychic message that they wished to be like Us but didn't have the ways or means to let us know. Until God spoke to "W" and told him so. And we all know that it was God's Will. After all, He cast the one vote that put "W" over the top and in the WH ... [Ohh, wait, that was Jeb, wasn't it? Ooops.] Not sure what god "W" was talking about, but it sure wasn't Mine. [Again, I digress ... Sorry.]
Back at the coffee shop the Epiphany continues ...
And at the helm was "W", the only president in History to grace the Cover of Rolling Stone Magazine wearing a Dunce Cap.
I'm not going to rehash the indiscretions of former Commander Clinton, but I will say that if getting blown was the worst thing that man ever did, we were Freakin' Lucky. As I said then, I continue to say today, when people break out their shovels and start digging, ... He's human. Who cares?
But for those who enjoy unearthing the Past ...
So the adulterer was replaced ... leaving numerous, horrendous, tasteless jokes in his wake that would live on well into the 21st century ... At least the jokes attached to that presidency were "poking fun" [NO PUN INTENDED] at his "Extracurricular Activities" rather than policy and the inept squandering of international goodwill during a time of crisis, irresponsible expenditures, and a consuming, sinking feeling of complete incompetence that made the masses cringe each time they were subjected to his "speeches" ... as was the case with Boy Wonder ... er, "W".
I think that is where the Affection resides. A longing for the days before everything went to shit.
Granted, I don't agree with many of his policies or ideas, but that was what was so refreshing about Obama. Again, regardless of your political leanings, you gotta admit the man is a tremendous Speaker. I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to hear him speak in person. He used words with more than Two Syllables and didn't not look as though he was looking directly at the sun as he spoke. And there weren't any fumblings, "uhs, "ums," or "Mis-underestimations."
Not since Clinton had there been a more eloquent speaker. And instead of the radiating glow of embarrassed faces, the people seemed to be rallying together with a sense of Unity and Hope. Course, that solidarity and hope has faded to a dull glow in the past year ... kinda like the embers of a neglected campfire. But that is another story ... [To be continued ...]
Photo: "Clinton on the Campaign Trail"
Courtesy of J.M. Willhite, Copyright 2008.
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