The Clinton Library

[Guest MikeSC]

Well, it opens today. And, it does one bang-up job of completely minimizing his impeachment scandal, referring to it as "the politics of persecution". The space for it is rather small and is not taken all that seriously in the text there.

 

Now, I know, many of you would say "Why would any President devote much space in his library for embarrassing scandals?"

 

Well, Nixon's library has an EXTENSIVE display on Watergate, replete with such gems as "The Smoking Gun" tape.

 

Reagan devotes considerable space to discussing Iran/Contra --- just as much a partisan witchhunt as Clinton felt his impeachment was.

 

So, will Clinton EVER admit to what he did wrong, or will he never eliminate his belief that he was a perpetual victim?

-=Mike

[Vyce]

So, will Clinton EVER admit to what he did wrong,

No.

 

or will he never eliminate his belief that he was a perpetual victim?

 

Yes.

 

C'mon, Mike, it's been well-established that the impeachment was just part of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.™

[Guest Loss]

I'm in Little Rock today and have been trying to spend as much time as I can where the festivities are taking place, so if anyone has any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them.

 

I'll try to take pictures of some of the displays you claim he's downplaying and post them so you can make the call for yourself. Just know that there is a LIFE SIZE picture of Susan McDougal in her orange track suit with a sidebar on how she refused to testify.

 

Clinton was actually quite adamant that the ugly side of his Presidency be included, but Clinton is historically known for saying one thing and doing another. I'll try to be TSM's local correspondent, though, as best as I can.

 

The only news I have to report right now is that George Clooney just arrived.

[Guest MikeSC]

Heck, Clinton won't even admit he LIED about not having sex with Monica.

 

I thought it was hilarious that one of his advisors commented that you don't see a big display about Iran/Contra scandal --- obviously oblivious to the fact that there IS one.

 

A Presidential library where he simply taunts Starr, Gingrich and the Republicans (claiming that they attempted to override the election).

-=Mike

[Guest Loss]

So far, only minor outbursts. Some protestors were arrested for carrying "Clinton Raped Juanita" signs because they didn't have a license.

 

Al Franken is walking around the River Market district with an umbrella talking to strangers.

 

I saw Geraldo Rivera interviewing Ted Danson outside of our new oxygen bar last night. Fun.

 

The popular hangout is one of my favorite places to go in this town, and I can't seem to get in there for shit.

[Guest Loss]

John Kerry is here out in the crowd with the people. Ditto Barbara Streisand.

[Guest Loss]

The ceremony has began. Chelsea has been introduced, along with all of the living first ladies (except Nancy Reagan) and all living Presidents (except Gerald Ford). So far, the speeches, while short, have been good.

 

Streaming can be found here.

 

http://www.todaysthv.com/videostream.asp

[Slayer]

"This is Loss McLosserson, reporting..."

[Guest Loss]

Indeed.

[Guest Loss]

A SALSA BAND just finished performing, and the camera panned to Bill and Hillary talking amongst themselves during the performance. OOPS.

 

Jimmy Carter is speaking now.

 

Carter met Clinton "thudy yeahs ago when he was guvnah", he says.

[Guest Loss]

Carter is taking a "roast" approach to this, talking about how there were Cuban refugees in Arkansas in 1980 and he almost cost Clinton his election for governor, and how for that, he apologized.

 

Robin Williams laughed his ass off in the crowd at that one, but it went over my head.

[Guest Loss]

Carter said Clinton was one of the best Presidents ever, which accidentally got an on-air smirk from George HW Bush. Again, OOPS.

 

The elder Bush is speaking now.

[Skywarp!]

Well, if you want to nitpick on the scope of things, a section about Watergate should be huge, while a sex scandal really is just a footnote in history. I see no problem with that.

[Guest Loss]

Bush is giving a FANTASTIC speech. He laughingly called Clinton the Sam Walton of retail politics, and mentioned that Clinton enjoyed debating more than any rational human should and that he checked his watch trying to figure out how to get out there. Funny. He has said nice things as well, but the jokes are better.

[Dr. Tom]

... while a sex scandal really is just a footnote in history.

By itself, yes. However, it resulted in Clinton getting impeached, which is only the second time in the history of the country that has happened. That makes it historically significant.

[Guest MikeSC]

Well, if you want to nitpick on the scope of things, a section about Watergate should be huge, while a sex scandal really is just a footnote in history. I see no problem with that.

Except that Clinton's scandal involved perjury, conspiracy to obstruct justice --- not to mention stealing FBI files, etc.

 

As usual, Clinton is unable to admit his faults.

-=Mike

[Special K]

Clinton was cool.

 

I miss him.

 

weepweepweep

[Guest MikeSC]

I don't. What an utterly useless President.

-=Mike

[Guest Loss]

Our current President is speaking now. He's giving a good speech too. Some of this is quotable, so I'm hoping transcripts are available soon. I'm actually surprised by how much Bush knows about Clinton's childhood, quite honestly, pulling direct quotes from his friends. I know the speech was written, but it was very well written.

[Guest Loss]

Bono and The Edge are performing.

 

OMG, they're doing an acoustic version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday".

[Downhome]

I wish it would be acceptable for George W. to go kick Bono's ass.

 

Everyone I've heard so far has been pretty good. This is going a lot better than I expected.

[Guest Loss]

This is an awesome performance, actually. I need to be reminded from time to time why U2 was my favorite band for so long.

[2GOLD]

I wish it would be acceptable for George W. to go kick Bono's ass.

 

I wish it was acceptable for ANYONE to go kick Bono's ass.

 

Especially for that Vertigo song.

[Guest Loss]

Now, they're doing the song from Gangs of New York. I'm lost on the title.

[Guest Loss]

Hillary speaks.

 

She's doing a VERY short speech and directed people to her website to hear the rest. Must be a new Dems trend to do that.

 

She has Senate meetings and has to head out immediately.

[Guest Loss]

Bubba is speaking now. So far, so good.

 

Congratulated Bush on his re-election and wishes him well in creating peace in the middle east now that the opportunity is there more than before. Applauded George HW Bush for national education reform efforts that he says he tried to carry out while he was in office. He's just having fun with Carter.

[2GOLD]

Wow, Clinton is pushing the Prez hard. I like that, nice to see he has moved on to trying to pull the country together as well. Major kudos.

 

Oh and that U2 song is "The hands that built America"

[Guest Loss]

He said more about Bush too. He said he first saw him speak in Iowa and called a friend immediately and said "He could beat us" and called him a fantastic politican.

 

It's also worth noting that the library is 100% solar powered and is costing the city NO money. I know this isn't as big of a deal to those who aren't from here, but it's huge for us.

[Downhome]

That was a great speech from Bill, I really enjoyed that.

[Guest Loss]

I agree with both sides having expressed the need for unity. Hopefully, extremists on both sides (I think liberal extremists are far worse on this) will do their best to help make this happen.