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Final chapter (Barbara Olson's book)
The Guardian (U.K.) ^ | 11/02/2001 | Leo Hickman

Posted on 11/01/2001 5:37:21 PM PST by Pokey78

For an accurate gauge of America's mood, log on to Amazon.com's list of best-selling books. In the days after September 11, Amazon's top 10 provided a snapshot of how strong the public's sudden thirst was for reason amid the madness. People scrambled for books about the Taliban, the Koran, Osama bin Laden, Afghanistan's history - even Nostradamus. Echoing shifting events, these were soon joined by books on anthrax and military strategy, but in the last week a new book - not even published yet - has shot to number one on advance orders alone.

On first glance, an insider's account about the last days of Clinton's White House may not seem to connect with America's current search for heroes and answers, but the identity of the author soon provides a clue to the book's looming success. The Final Days: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Last, Desperate Abuses of Power by the Clinton White House is by Barbara Olson, a sharp-tongued rightwing regular of the US network's political talkshows and former federal prosecutor who spearheaded a range of investigations into the dog-end of Clinton's administration. Olson also died when American Airlines Flight 77 smashed into the Pentagon on September 11.

As the most high-profile victim of the September 11 attacks, the tale of Olson's harrowing last phone call to her husband - Ted Olson, the US solicitor-general - as hijackers overpowered the plane's pilots was replayed repeatedly across the world's media outlets in the following days. But it appears there is more to the book's appeal than simply the spotlight of tragedy. The surge of interest in Barbara Olson's book is symbolic of a partial return to partisan bickering and cat calling following a period of polite and respectful truce.

After its September 13 printing run was cancelled (Olson was on her way to Los Angeles to publicise the book on the TV show Politically Incorrect when she died), there were rumours that Hillary Clinton and her operatives, seeking to escape the book's damaging revelations, were trying to permanently block the book's publication. Regnery, its conservative publisher that promises to "confront the status quo of political correctness", promptly issued a statement: "Everyone we talked to, including her husband, Ted, agreed that Barbara would have wanted this book published." Regnery added that each book would carry an envelope inviting readers to contribute to the newly formed Barbara K Olson Memorial Scholarship Fund. How could the Clintons possibly be seen to counter such a sentiment?

In the New York Post's gossip pages, Cindy Adams noted that "insiders" were "whispering they wish someone could stop the book" due to its "vicious" anti-Clinton tone, and given that Hillary Clinton was engaged in a very visible healing role for New Yorkers as one of their senators.

In contrast, with the open sore of the Clinton years still irritating many Republicans, the publishing of Barbara Olson's book seems to have become their latest cause celeb. Last weekend, Lowell Ponte, a popular rightwing US national radio talk show host, emotionally defended the book's publication, going as far to say that it could be as significant in stopping Hillary Clinton reaching the White House as the Chappaquiddick incident was to Ted Kennedy. "Buy and read this book, and you will be helping to wipe that smug, arrogant smile off Hillary's face."

The book's appeal for the wider reader must lie in its promise to deliver new evidence into, as the title spells out, alleged Clinton abuses: how, upon leaving the White House, the Clintons shipped 70 priceless treasures to Arkansas; how Bill Clinton pardoned 16 FALN Puerto Rican separatists responsible for a series of US bombings 20 years ago in, what Olson claims, was a cynical ploy to win Hispanic votes for Hillary's bid for a New York senate seat; and how, with "immaculate deception", the Clintons "showered" gifts and pardons on close associates before shutting the door on the Oval Office last January.

Hillary Clinton's problem is that she cannot now adequately defend herself against the book's accusations because the author is presently untouchable. With Hillary suffering the indignation of being heckled at the recent Paul McCartney fundraiser by those überheroes and now crucially important Clinton constituents - the New York firemen - and with Bill now being openly criticised for not crushing Bin Laden's menace when he had the chance, Olson's book looks set to be a further woe for the Clintons. It could also act as tinder in the reigniting of political hostilities, for now simply put on hold.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: barbaraolson; bookreview; thefinaldays; x42

1 posted on 11/01/2001 5:37:21 PM PST by Pokey78
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To: Howlin; Miss Marple; mombonn; summer; JeanS
Ping.
2 posted on 11/01/2001 5:37:58 PM PST by Pokey78
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To: Pokey78
Political hostilities on hold.......give me a break. A lot this lout knows.
3 posted on 11/01/2001 5:51:53 PM PST by OldFriend
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To: Pokey78; BKO
I never put my anger at them "on hold," did you?

Go Barbara!

4 posted on 11/01/2001 5:52:08 PM PST by Howlin
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To: Pokey78
The book is a page-turner, you can't put it down. Those of you, who did not read Barbara Olson's first book, "Hell To Pay", get it, a little more gentle but honest and truthful about the 'little first lady'...lady she ain't! Olson did a masterful job, we are really going to miss her.
5 posted on 11/01/2001 6:09:23 PM PST by yoe
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To: Pokey78
I've already read Barbara's book. It's a short read and I've bookmarked many quotations. We lost a wonderful and beautiful person.

I also would recommend Yossef Bodansky "Bin Ladin - the Man Who Declared War on America." This one is not a quick read, but really explains the Islamic terrorist. You'll know your enemy after this read!

6 posted on 11/01/2001 6:12:47 PM PST by Alissa
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To: Pokey78
Hillary Clinton was engaged in a very visible healing role for New Yorkers as one of their senators.

If Hillary really wants to engage in a "very visible healing role" for New Yorkers, she should have herself excised from the body politic.
7 posted on 11/01/2001 6:12:49 PM PST by aruanan
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To: yoe
This book will be a huge hit because it has everything going for it. It will open millions of eyes to the true nature of the Clinton crimes, and it will steamroll over the whiney criticisms of the apologists. Even democrats will buy it, because it is the modern All the Presidents Men, a book they worship.

Just think, the takeover was almost complete, Gore was robbing the election, Hillary was spoiling for the presidency... just 11 months ago!

8 posted on 11/01/2001 6:21:38 PM PST by moodyskeptic
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To: moodyskeptic
Just think, the takeover was almost complete, Gore was robbing the election, Hillary was spoiling for the presidency... just 11 months ago!

Trouther wordes ne'er bin spake, laddie.

9 posted on 11/01/2001 6:38:14 PM PST by dodger
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To: Pokey78
Rest in peace, dear Barbara. Thank you for your work, thank you for your life.

I regret that we can't hear you interviewed about this book, but God KNEW you wouldn't be available.

Nevertheless, He has made other provisions. He knows how to get the last word!

Comfort to you, Ted.

10 posted on 11/01/2001 6:38:39 PM PST by mombonn
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To: Howlin
In memory of Barbara (thanks Socks C.) TRASH . . . fun . . . TRASH . . . hillary's dark family secrets . . . AND . . . her own bizarre... [Free Republic] FreeRepublic.com "A Conservative News Forum"
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TRASH . . . fun . . . TRASH . . . hillary's dark family secrets . . . AND . . . her own bizarre...

Crime/Corruption Breaking News Humor Keywords: NOT SHAVED DEODORANT STINKS ROTTEN RODHAM
Source: The NATIONAL ENQUIRER
Published: November 16, 1999 Author: BENNET BOLTON
Posted on 11/05/1999 23:44:47 PST by Socks C.

HILLARY'S DARK
FAMILY SECRETS

Her bumbling brothers embarrass the
White House with their nutty
get-rich-quick schemes

. . . AND HER OWN BIZARRE PAST

HILLARY CLINTON was a workaholic mom, who refused to shave her legs or wear deodorant . . .

WAIT till Hillary Clinton's snooty new neighbors in upstate New York get a load of her most embarrassing family secret - her kid brothers are such bumbling boobs that political insiders call them Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton.

When Hugh and Tony Rodham get on a roll with a get-rich-quick scheme, it's just like an episode from the classic "Honeymooners" TV series.

"There's a long history of siblings and relatives of Presidents and First Ladies who have been an embarrassment to the White House. Hugh and Tony Rodham have now joined that tainted list," veteran White House reporter Sarah McClendon told The ENQUIRER.

Humongous Hughie, 49 - who eats like food was going out of style - ran for the U.S. Senate from Florida, gave ludicrous speeches that showed little knowledge of the issues ... and on at least one occasion even forgot to introduce the First Lady after she flew in to campaign for him.

But that was nothing compared to the boys' latest caper - getting involved with shady characters in the former Soviet republic of Georgia in a nutty scheme to export hazelnuts to the West.

While Clinton has his hands full with his former cocaine-addict, failed singer brother Roger, Hillary has double trouble.

"The Secret Service detail at the White House has a code name for the Rodham bothers - Tweedledee and Tweedledum - after the roly-poly fat boys who scrapped and cut up in 'Alice in Wonderland,'" revealed a Washington source.

In their latest exploit, Hugh and his 45-year-old brother planned to raise $118 million to grow hazelnuts in the country of Georgia, then export them.

Hugh and Tony spent nine days in Russia chatting with political enemies of Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze - who is a friend of the Clintons and a close ally of the United States.

"Their ineptitude almost ruined years of State Department diplomacy," declared an insider.

Shevardnadze complained bitterly to the United States when rival politician Aslan Abashidze - allegedly a close pal of a leading Russian mobster - boasted that the Rodhams' visit might be a sign that President Clinton would politically support Abashidze.

America's National Security Adviser, Sandy Berger, urged the Rodhams to pull out of the deal - and at first they had the gall to turn down his request. But then just hours later, the boys' Washington lawyer, James Hamilton, announced his clients would drop the venture because they did not want "to do any harm to the First Lady or the Administration."

In the wake of the scandal, Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson chided: "Normally, we excuse the Ralph Kramden-Ed Norton schemes of greedy First In-laws trying to trade off the family name. But these two hazelnuts didn't fall too far from the family tree."

But that reaction was mild compared to that of the President, who "called Tony and Hughie every name in the book," revealed a source.

This was not the first time the Rodhams ignited a major controversy.

Tony has worked as a Miami private eye and for the Democratic Party. Hugh was a Peace Corps volunteer, talk radio host and an assistant public defender in Miami before his failed attempt to become a U.S. Senator in 1994.

His feeble campaign was highlighted by stumbling through speeches and his refusal to say whether he had ever used drugs.

Incredibly, Hugh pursued this high government office even though he had never even voted until the 1992 presidential campaign.

At one rally in a retirement condo, Hillary waited in the wings to go on ... and waited ... and waited. But Hugh forgot to introduce her!

Finally the First Lady just trotted on without fanfare and asked, "Wasn't that a great speech?"

While on the stump as his brother's campaign manager, Tony didn't exactly bowl people over. In fact, he was described in a Washington Post article as "unshaven" and "bleary-eyed."

As Hillary's own Senate race gets set to kick off, she better be careful - her brothers may show up to campaign for her!

- BENNET BOLTON


. . . AND HER OWN BIZARRE PAST . . .

HILLARY CLINTON was a workaholic mom, who refused to shave her legs or wear deodorant - and a jealous shrew who used to search Bill's desk for evidence of his cheating.

Those are just some of the revelations of former Justice Dept. attorney and author Barbara Olson - who's written a startling new biography, "Hell to Pay: The Unfolding Story of Hillary Rodham Clinton."

Hillary's plan to run for the U.S. Senate from New York is only Step One, declared Olson in an exclusive interview. "She would like to be a presidential candidate!

"Hillary always saw Bill as a vehicle to power and saw him as a legacy to power on her own.

Her lust for power has always consumed her."

Author Olson is very familiar with the political scene. She served as the chief investigative counsel for the congressional committee that investigated the Clinton Travelgate scandal. She's also served as a general counsel in the U.S. Senate.

Long before the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Hillary was suspicious of Bill's roving eye. Way back in 1974, during his unsuccessful run for Congress, "Hillary went through Bill Clinton's desk on a search-and-de- stroy mission to tear up phone numbers she knew he collected during the day's campaigning," Olson writes in her book.

Hillary has always wanted to be seen as a forceful lawyer and serious political operative - so she pointedly paid little attention to her appearance.

She ignored her weight problem and wouldn't shave her legs or wear deodorant. She even bought her wedding dress "at the last minute, an off-the-rack item from Dillard's department store," writes Olson.

"Her appearance was her statement, a declaration for her need to appear serious." It infuriated Bills mother Virginia and drove Bill to seek out the kind of woman he had before he met Hillary, says the author.

Hillary finally started to care about her looks only after a powerful politician said she would damage her husband's career if she didn't do something.

After Bill became governor of Arkansas, ambitious Hillary became a whirlwind of activity. She spent so much time out of the governor's mansion making speeches that Olson writes Chelsea was "raised as much by Bill and nannies as by her mother."

At the age of 2, Chelsea would say, "Mommy go make 'peech," according to Olson.

But busy Hillary did find time to include Vince Foster in her life. She playfully called her handsome law associate "Vincenzo Fosterini," be- cause she felt he resembled a lawyer in "The Godfather."

Olson writes that Foster "had a mysterious way of appearing at her doorstep whenever the Governor was out of town."

When huffy Hillary swept into the White House, she acted as if she owned the Secret Service - cursing at agents and expecting them to carry her bags.

At one point, she became convinced the Secret Service was spying on her and wanted them replaced with FBI agents or private security.

She even believed former First Lady Barbara Bush might be collecting dirt on her, using a valet as a spy, according to the shocking biography The suspicious First Lady stays with her straying hubby for one reason - her "lust for power," explains Olson.


11 posted on 11/01/2001 6:55:29 PM PST by Phil V.
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To: Pokey78
I and several friends bought copies of this book, and now those copies are out on their rounds to other friends and acquaintences! LOL...and mostly to people who never really heard much about any of the material because they're mostly TV watchers. They keep calling me and saying "I never knew THIS!"
12 posted on 11/01/2001 7:23:12 PM PST by WaterDragon
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To: WaterDragon
I bought a bunch of copies and gave them to clients with exactly the same result you reported - 'Why didn't you TELL me about this?' I said to them, guess why Brokaw - Jennings - Rather - Koppel - CNN etc. didn't tell you about this? Greeted with blank looks and silence. Then I move in for the kill: If they didn't tell you about THIS, then what makes you think they told the truth about (fill in the blank) - FBIgate, Fostergate, RonBrowngate, etc.

I'm going to use them as stocking stuffers for Christmas.

13 posted on 11/01/2001 10:22:20 PM PST by SmartBlonde
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To: Pokey78
Interesting. Thanks.
14 posted on 11/02/2001 2:32:58 AM PST by summer
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To: SmartBlonde
I bought a bunch of copies and gave them to clients with exactly the same result you reported - 'Why didn't you TELL me about this?' I said to them, guess why Brokaw - Jennings - Rather - Koppel - CNN etc. didn't tell you about this? Greeted with blank looks and silence. Then I move in for the kill: If they didn't tell you about THIS, then what makes you think they told the truth about (fill in the blank) - FBIgate, Fostergate, RonBrowngate, etc.

God love you- that's what we need more of- more people spreading the word about the last 8 years of corruption and crime. Thank you!

15 posted on 11/02/2001 2:37:50 AM PST by backhoe
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To: SmartBlonde
It's been my reading before bedtime this past week (I think I'm one of the first in England to have a copy). The Clintons of course are Satan's minions, but it isn't all that surprising anymore to me. We knew they were evil.

Regards, Ivan

The Refreshed Free Britannia
16 posted on 11/02/2001 2:42:48 AM PST by MadIvan
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To: Pokey78; madrussian; malarski; Askel5; GROUCHOTWO; Zviadist; kristinn; Free the USA; Black Jade...
A new look at an old issue
17 posted on 11/03/2001 10:47:07 PM PST by CommiesOut
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To: moodyskeptic
This book will be a huge hit because it has everything going for it.

It already is. Olson is currently #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. And what's #1? Bill O'Reilly! And what's not on the list at all? Jeffrey Toobin's book! Bwa-ha-haaaa!

In fact, I just looked at USA Today's list, which runs 150 deep. Toobin's book isn't on there either!

18 posted on 11/03/2001 10:55:03 PM PST by Timesink
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To: CommiesOut
Many assume that Clinton accepted pay-offs for some of these pardons. Considering that there could be other issues he would prefer not come to light, blackmail should not be ruled out.
19 posted on 11/04/2001 4:07:46 AM PST by GROUCHOTWO
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