Posted on 09/19/2005 8:10:59 AM PDT by concrete is my business
New York
The Clinton Global Initiative wrapped up on Saturday bringing in over $1.25 billion in pledges. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Chris Tucker, Barbra Streisand, Leonardo DiCaprio, astronaut John Glenn, and Mark Rich’s ex-wife, song writer, Denise Rich, participated among the “global leaders” who joined former President Bill Clinton to combat “some of the world’s most pressing problems.”
The former President told the packed ballroom on the first day of his three-day “nonpartisan” conference this is “more than business as usual.” Issues on the CGI’s docket include reducing poverty, religion, fighting diseases, and combating environmental issues. Bill Clinton's premise is simple. If commitments aren't honoured, the participant is not invited back.
The conference opened with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with the former President in an informal Oprah-esqe atmosphere seated comfortably in chrome rimmed white leather chairs atop a stark white stage. Decorating the modern background was an enlarged Clinton Global Initiative logo with four blue simple streaks, incompletely ringed by a row of gold stars hanging next to four shelved plants. Wearing multiple hats, acting as host, moderator and commentator, the former President, lead the “plenary session,” in a lively and vast sweeping talk billed as “Perspectives of the Global Challenges of Our Time.”
During the “economics of the Gaza withdrawal” subject former President Clinton suggested creating an “insurance policy against terror” to encourage private investors to spend in the region. After the 1993 Oslo Accord was signed, “As soon as the first terrorist bomb went off,” he explained; all the private investors he'd encouraged to rebuild the war torn economy pulled out their financing.
Prime Minister Blair believes what will make a difference “is the enterprise of people.”
Secretary Rice sees new “hope and opportunity” since Israel's recent withdrawal from Gaza and said this is “is a job not just for governments but for the private sector.”
When President Clinton shifted the dialogue to Free Trade, King Abdullah told the participants how Jordan's trade jumped to “$1 billion” from approximately “$13 to $14 million” with the passing of a Free Trade agreement between Jordan and the United States. “50% of the Middle East is under 18,” said his Majesty, emphasizing the importance for immediate job creation in the region.
“If we're serious about tackling global poverty,” said Prime Minister Blair, the upcoming Doha Round multilateral trade negotiations in Hong Kong will be a “big” test. “It’s a test we better pass.” Secretary Rice sees trade as a “vehicle for development.”
The panelists answered former President Clinton's questions and topics bounced from solar power, where former President Clinton said, since he added solar panels to the Clinton library in Arkansas, he's cut his energy bill down by “one-third,” and touched on climate change, then veered to the advantage of nuclear energy and the risk of nonproliferation. China's robust economy, plus agriculture was also broached.
The subject of terror and the July 7th London bombings killing over 50 people also swept across the stage. Prime Minister Blair paid “tribute to the mainstream Muslims in London while King Abdullah insisted, “We cannot let terrorists convince us we are enemies.” The panel agreed the purpose of “terrorism is to divide us.”
Hurricane Katrina was never far from the CGI’s talks. Both Senator Hillary Clinton and General Wesley Clark encouraged an immediate Climate Change policy, while in a separate session, Former Vice President Al Gore warned the participates, “We face a global emergency and a deepening climatic crisis that requires us to act.”
The United Nations “works in large part better than it used to because of this man,” Bill Clinton told the crowd on the last day when he welcomed “his friend” Kofi Annan on stage. The UN Secretary-General received the first standing ovation of the event and “looks forward to working with the Clinton Global Initiative.” “We didn't get everything we wanted,” Annan said, referring to the Draft Outcome approved at the 60th General Assembly across town, but “I deliberately set the bar very high.”
Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach were among the crowd.
Muslims will stop terrorizing and blowing themselves and others up. The air and water will be cleaner overnight.
Everyone will get a free Teddy Bear.
That great "Free" Cuban healthcare will be available everywhere (whether you want or like it or not.)
How much of this money will go into the Hildabeast's pocket?
Will the conference condemn Islamofascist insanity and terrorism? Will it issue a white paper on how socialism is responsible for most of the world's ills?
I'm waiting.
Mr. Clinton has his own problem with the simple premise of commitment.
Kofi Anan and his fellow U.N. thieves began their various illegal operations under Clinton. In fact nearly every negative we face now originated with Clinton's total lack of morality that inspired the world to be just like him, while simply ignoring escalated threats like terrorism. Of course Clinton and Anan idolize each other.
That does seem extraordinarily high. However much he raised, I'll bet there are no strings, no donor list, no taxes, no accountability. The site says his foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
I'm afraid we'll be seeing more of this logo in the days to come.
As it has been said many times before, There is a sucker born every minute. There are plenty to go around.
"He raised $1,250 million? I don't believe it."
How much is going into his Swiss bank account? Maybe Marc Rich can tell us!
Reading that rogues' gallery of names reminds me of one definition of "politics":
'Voluntarily associating with people you ordinarily would not have in your home.'
Oh yeah---L-e-g-a-c-y.
You know, Bill has been campaigning to be the next Secretary General of the UN. Consider what might happen if he managed to be placed in that post, and Hillary were to become President. I mean really consider the consequences. My stomach knots up.
OK. Let's divide this up. One for Relief. One for Hillary. Five for me. One for Relief. One for Hillary. Five for me. One for Relief. One for Hillary. Five for me. One for relief ...
"Clinton Global Initiative Brings in Over $1 Billion in Pledges"
Good start for Hillary's 2008 run.
I hear former executives of Arthur Andersen will be preparing the tax return.........
.........from their prison cells.
He raised PLEDGES not money........world of difference. Especially from the liberal crowd.
And why is that?
It's being funneled thru a TEMPLE where Al is visiting...LOL
Kolbe has got to go.
You can help remove Kolbe from office by going to www.votegraf.com and supporting conservative, pro-life Republican Randy Graf in his effort unseat him.
It would be good to see a list of the pledges. Who and how much.
If there were 1000 people in attendance, each would have to pledge over $1 million. There is no way this is a real number (even if it is only pledges). I bet this turns out to be a joke, and that 1.24 billion was a pledge from Al Coholic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.