[mountaineer]

When I was a youngster, I enjoyed reading some old McGuffey Readers that probably predated even my mother's school days. Of course, they all offered useful life lessons, a traditional Judeo-Christian moral to every story, etc. - just the type of thing one wouldn't see in today's politically correct, diversity-above-all school texts.

Speaking of education (sort of), I just came across this story:

Former President Clinton and the University of Arkansas are considering the creation of a new "Clinton School of Public Service." Already being called "UACS," it would provide an undergrad degree to students who attend the classes at Clinton's new library and museum facility in Little Rock. Friend Bruce Lindsey says Clinton is high on the idea and is mulling a weekend retreat where friends, advisers, and educators would develop a curriculum.

More Blubba news:

Add former Clinton deputy Harold Ickes to the crowd of Bushies who thought Bubba's White House was too informal. Like how few staffers stood up when President Clinton entered a room.

"It bothered me," says Ickes in the new book Air Force One. He singled out Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos, who now hosts ABC's This Week. "That used to [tick] me off," says Ickes, "seeing George sitting there with his . . . feet on the table, and [he] would sit that way when Bill Clinton would come in."

Finally, this vignette, from the same source:

Kenneth T. Walsh, reveals in Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes that it's often a different story inside the airborne White House. Consider President Bush's additions: satellite TV and a treadmill for sweaty workouts.

Or former President Clinton, who strutted around in jeans and T-shirt while his staffers turned the 747 into a frat house.

"Some of the staff people," said former chief of staff Leon Panetta, "would treat it as just another plane." He made it sound like a rock band's jet: too much booze, loud music, and garbage in the cabin.

Even former President Bush had a weird story for the new book. During Clinton's trip to Israel for the funeral of Yitzhak Rabin, Bush went into a staff cabin and stretched out on the floor to sleep. When he woke up, Jimmy Carter was right next to him, nose to nose. "Scary?" asked Bush. "No, but different."

[Iowa Granny]

My Mother learned to read from McGuffy. She may have taught from them in Country School, too. The Dick and Jane books I saw were Reprints,, there may have been McGuffy's available, too, I can't recall.

Deeply strange stuff you're reporting about the Air Force One book. Waking up nose to nose with Jimmy Carter. Bless my Soul. I just know I would loose it and shout fowl things at him if this had happened to me.

WJC wants students to study at his Presidential Library? Naw,,,, he wants some 'Easy Prey' available. That's what he really wants. What parent in their right ;~) mind would allow their daughter to participate in such a charade (sp?)? I would hope that even parents in their 'left' mind would have serious doubts,,, but then,, I'm an old fuddy duddy.