Mystery Man at Bill’s Bash

[Snellius]

The invitation to the June 9 premiere of The Hunting of the President, about the right wing’s war against Bill Clinton, promises that an unnamed “very special guest” will be in attendance—and the guest in question is apparently Clinton himself. Friends of Bill expected to attend include Hunting co-director Harry Thomason (who co-produced the “Man From Hope” campaign video), former Clinton business partner Susan McDougal, and Clintonistas Paul Begala and James Carville. Clinton pal Harry Evans will moderate a post-premiere debate about the film, which is based on the 2000 book co-written by New York Observer columnist Joe Conason. The movie opens in New York on June 11.

http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/9192/

[lovedems]

1. I saw an interview on CNN this morning with one of the sole republicans

who didn't favor impeachment of Clinton. I am sorry, I can't remember his name.

He said that he considered himself friends with Clinton and had a very good working relationship with him. Apparently Clinton called him when he was writing his book "to make sure his facts were correct" regarding the impeachment. To make a long story short, this republican seemed to think when Clinton was doing his book tour there wouldn't be any apologies for impeachment because he thought he was wrongly impeached! According to this republican, he is going to repeat that!

I am hoping that when he is getting all the publicity, he really shows a republican congress for what they are...a group that puts policy above principle and a party that does what is in their best interest, not the nations best interest. This could be really good for democrats this fall.

[aquart]

6. He WAS wrongly impeached.

The Republican still doesn't get that? Geesh.

[havocmom]

2. That would almost make me go to NYC

almost

[Snellius]

3. You would be surprised how hospitable NYC can be these days

It has been changing for a while but especially after 9/11 New York City has definitely changed: friendlier, slowly, less angry. Before you could get mugged, now they only pick your pocket.

[havocmom]

4. It's not the people, it's the closed in feel of the place

that would do me in. Da momma needs open spaces.

edit: typo

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. I've been, and it was wonderful.

You don't feel closed in at all. And there is so much to see. By all means, go!

[aquart]

7. Excuse me?

Thanks for the snide remark. Where do YOU live?

[Snellius]

8. Half-sarcastic. Half-true

I lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn for years. Now just outside. Still have relatives there and go there for biz or family or play a couple times a week.

So if that qualifies, the point was that NYC is a great city with some of the most wonderful people on the face of the earth. But New York is still New York and for anyone expecting Dubuque it's still a pretty scary town. The part about the pick-pocket only came to mind because that's what happened to my brother-in-law, who works in Midtown, last week.

[shrike]

19. I spent a lot of time there when I lived in the East

Never had a bit of problem with New Yorkers; very nice people. But you're right, it IS a big city and you have to be prepared for that. One thing I liked is that whenever I went to New York, I never did the same thing twice. What I didn't like is that I invariably spent every dime in my pocket, no matter what I did. But I've had the same experience in other cities; city life is expensive, especially if you're a tourist and don't know where to go for the bargains.

The one thing I regret is that I never visited the WTC in all my visits. I always thought there'd be time for that later.

[jobycom]

9. I always thought I would hate NY

But I went there a couple of months ago to pick up a car. Amazing place. People were more abrupt than this southerner was used to, but not rude. They smiled back when I smiled.

I drove there to pick up a Prius in Connecticut. The next night I was lost in Manhattan, trying to get off the island and back to Greenwich, CT. I pulled up to a light, and looked around for someone to ask directions from, and a cop was staring at me from the opposite corner. He motioned me over to where he was, so I pulled over, wondering what horrible thing I had done wrong.


Nothing. He just wanted to ask me about the Prius, said he had been trying to get one. We talked a few minutes, then I told him I was lost. He had to find another cop to get directions, then came back and explained where I needed to go, and stopped traffic so I could get out. I felt like a complete bumkin (And I never felt that way in Paris, Brussels, Las Vegas, or anywhere else I've been), but I loved it. It's now on my short list of places to live for a year when my kids are grown.

I had to go up a highway and make a u-turn to follow his directions. My parents, my youngest daughter, and a niece were with me. My niece asked why it was so dark in the middle of the city, and we all looked to our right, where we expected to find lights. There was just a hole. Ground Zero. No one spoke for a while. Even my five year old understood to be quiet, and she never is. I've never felt like that in my life, before.

[Snellius]

10. Funny. New Yorkers have just as hard a time in the South

I went to a kind of deli place once in Greensboro just to pop in and get a quick ham and cheese. Everyone was very nice and chatty but I'll swear the butcher took half an hour just putting a little mustard on the bread. I guess people get used to that pace of life but for a New Yorker everything seems to happen in excruciatingly slow motion. I didn't even try to ask if I could have my sandwich on a kaiser roll.

Then I asked if he had a little Amaretto to put in my coffee and he told me I'd have to go to the drugstore for that.

By the way, the u-turn in the middle of a highway is definitely verboten. Those friendly boys in blue can be quite unfriendly about things like that.

I drive a new Prius too. Isn't it great? Got it before it cost $50 to fill a gas tank. Aren't we smart, though?

[jobycom]

12. Well, it's ya'll's fault!

Not ours! Want everything at lightning speed, what's wrong with you people?!?

:-)

But I thought my post was nice to New York... :-(

(Yes, I spelt Ya'll that way in case VelmaD is around!)

[0007]

11. I love it during the middle 80's when I lived there,

the happiest days of my life. Live at 34 St & 6th Ave. Wish I never left.

[KoKo]

13. I lived on West 12 St. off 6th avenue many years ago. Loved NY.

Friendliest place I've ever lived. The Village was more like living in a small town that the Upper East and West Sides..so I never felt closed in.

[Snellius]

15. You should have kept your apt.

Median price for an apartment in Manhattan just went over the magic number: $1 million.

[KoKo]

20. I was lucky and it was rent controlled...Can't imagine what it would rent

for now!

[Trajan]

14. I took my kids and wife to NYC last October ....

What a delightful (though expensive) 4 days we spent in Gotham ...

Central Park, Museum Mile, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Ground Zero, Nathan's at Coney Island, PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA everywhere .... I was born in Jersey and my mom's family is pure Brooklyn .... so I already knew I loved it ...

My family loved it even more than I did ....

[Snellius]

16. "Ground Zero, Nathan's at Coney Island" -- Kind of depressing!

I realize it's all part of history now but it still hurts in a way that where the World Trade Center once fell is now "Ground Zero", another tourist attraction. Even today perfectly ordinary people on the street will just break out crying for no apparent reason.

[Trajan]

17. I understand your feelings regarding the WTC site ....

But damn those hot dogs were good ....

My family simply loved it all ...

[Ganja Ninja]

18. This film will be a great reminder of just how partisan ..

the GOP has been. How they bitched and complained and pulled every dirty trick they could on Clinton. This film contrasted against the current back drop of failed republican leadership will be a timely addition to what is becoming a groundswell of backlash against Bush and the GOP. They've made their bed now let them sleep in it.