Optimism

I must acknowledge my sincere respect and deep admiration of former President Bill Clinton.  When I read that he has gone to North Korea and negotiated the release of the two American journalists from a hard labor camp I was overcome with happiness.  

President Clinton has always been a mentor to me.  Regardless of all the scandal that surrounded him, regardless of the disastrous "Dont ask, Dont Tell" fiasco, he led this country through an era of unmatched prosperity and success.  I remember working on his first campaign for President.  He held a midnight madness rally at a small airport in Dallas Texas.  I was there with my friend Skotch Vail. We were young, optimistic and ready for the end of 8 years of Reagan and 4 years of George Bush Sr.  It was late, dark and chilly, but the air was full of electricity.  I had never before been involved in politics.  Primarily because I was young, but also because up until Clinton, the choices for a democratic president were poor.  Remember Michael Dukakis?  It felt like we stood on that tarmac for hours waiting for Mr. Clintons plane to arrive.  When the doors opened he, Hillary and Chelsea came out and the audience went crazy.  There he was, 30 feet away and larger than life.  Its one of those moments in life that I will never forget.  I was so proud, so honored to be there.  I felt, for once like my voice was being heard.  

Clintons last day in office was a very difficult day for me.  It felt as if the party was over and the police had arrived to shut the joint down.  An ominous cloud was slowly moving over Washington DC and everyone felt it.  The crime of the century had just been committed and no one could do a thing about it.  

I will not speak about the las 8 years.  Much has been made of it. But seeing Clinton today being the great statesmen that he is filled me with pride and optimism.  He is a true diplomat. And while people have very strong opinions about the Clintons, he is a hero to me.  And probably to the two young women who's lives he saved today.