The Best Argument for Eliminating Term Limits

Last night Oodgie and I went to an event hosted by the American Jewish World Service.  It's an organization that recognizes that lots of Jews have money it's a cultural imperative of the Jewish faith to promote justice in the world.  I'm told that the Jewish community has suffered injustice from time to time over the last 4000 years, so they know a thing or two about the subject.

The venue was stunning, and Oodgie and I noshed on appetizers while trying to look remotely like we belonged with the rest of the attendees (we were guests of the ECGs).  Everyone there was talking about Darfur and Laos, while I was constantly reminded of how little I even thought about the 3 billion people in the world who live on less than $2/day.  Ann Curry was there, fighting against her nature to exude warmth, as was Paul Wolfowitz's doppleganger.

But the star of the show, without question, was Bill Clinton.

I challenge you to find a bigger rock star on the planet than our former president.  You could tell where he was in the building by the flashbulbs and the adoring masses.  People love him.  One of the speakers, a South African woman who runs an AIDS hospital, was visibly twitterpated in his presence.  Say what you will about his politics and personal life, but wherever he goes the man flat-out owns the room.

I'm an unapologetic Clinton fan (Bill, not Hillary...I find carpetbaggers distasteful) and would have gladly voted for him a third time if our Constitution allowed it*.  He gave an hour-long speech that seamlessly meshed global statistics of population growth and poverty, the New York State Fair, Warren Buffet, charity and faith, and the heroic story of a tsunami victim who lost nine children--all without notes.  He's freakishly smart, incredibly focused and energetic, and utterly dedicated to using his celebrity to make the world a better place for underprivileged of the world...a group he's quick to note vastly outnumber us.

I was really hoping to get a picture with him to splash up here and make y'all jealous, but between the sea of people crowding the sushi table and the strategically deployed Secret Service agents I had no chance.  In the end, sharing a room with him was good enough for me.

* It's ironic to me that the very law that prevented Clinton from being president on 9/11 is the same one that's sparing us the catastrophic possibility of another two years of President Douchebag.  I can't believe we need laws to prevent ourselves from doing something stupid...isn't that what the brain is for?

Comments

[Holmes]

Very cool! I definitely would have voted for Bill a third time had it been allowed. I'm not sure if Hillary would be a great prez, but I have no doubt that Bill would make a great first husband.

[mr. big dubya]

In a word - feh

But I still love ya like a brother

[ANP]

I'm hoping you're kidding about the carpetbagger comment. If you ran for office in New York State, would you think it was appropriate for people to call you a carpetbagger? Or I suppose you would think it only appropriate if you ran in your home state?

Smart people are smart people, no matter where they live, or where they grew up, and I'll take Hillary making decisions on my behalf over a intellectual lightweight who happens to have lived in New York State a few years longer.

Dislike Hillary for other reasons, sure, her cankles being one of them. But nitpicking because she's representing a state she didn't grow up in or spend the majority of her life in? You're better than that.

[MammaLoves]

I heart him big time! He really does command a room. You can't keep your eyes off of him.

I'm afraid it will be a long time before we have another like him.

[Mrs. Chicky]

I have been and always will be a Clinton fan. And I'm damn proud of that.

[Kemp]

Soooooooo jealous over here.... so, so jealous... Clinton was da man! Like you I would have voted for him thrice if I could have.

But Hillary is just as good (he said with tongue firmly in cheek)

Oh... "and I can't believe we need laws to prevent ourselves from doing something stupid..isn't that what the brain is for?"

Amen brother... Amen!

[MammaLoves]

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful Father's Day!!

[whit]

I would have voted for Clinton as well. As it was I voted for Gore, you know, the winner.

Hillary? Eh.

Happy Father's Day and all that shiznit.

[Kara at Capebuffalo]

I'm with you on the carpetbagger. I was at an event where Madeline Albright entered, sholders back, chin curving elegantly toward the ceiling and thought "holy shit, that woman has presence." Then Clinton entered the room and it was like she was never even there.