With All the Positive Press for Hill & Bill Are We Sure Clinton Won't Run in 2012?

When Bill Clinton went to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-il was that a sign of what's to come? He was successful in getting journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling released. Did that seem a little easy at the end? A photo op and a declaration of "defeat" so North Korea would be "victorious"? As a reader pointed out it's not like either Bush would've been able to speak on behalf of the United States. Not after Shrub dubbed NK part of the "Axis of Evil". 

Our current President certainly could not be seen directly negotiating. Apparently even Al Gore wasn't enough of a heavyweight even though he founded Current TV and was the de-facto employer of Lee and Ling. No, the administration needed to send the big guns. Love them or hate them that would be the Clintons. Yes, I'm including Hillary on equal par with Bill because their entire political careers have been tied to each other from the beginning. This is despite the ongoing dispute about the NK nuclear program and some of their officials speaking harshly of Mrs. Clinton. As I've stated in an earlier post, they are a sovereign nation and have just as much right to defend themselves as any other country. 

North Korea signaled its desire to have Mr. Clinton act as a special envoy in conversations with Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee, who relayed that message to their families in the middle of July, according to a senior administration official. The message was passed to Mr. Gore, who contacted the White House, which then explored whether such a mission would be successful.

Mr. Obama did not speak directly with Mr. Clinton before the mission. But his national security adviser, Gen. James L. Jones, contacted the former president to sound him out. The senior official said the administration did “due diligence” with the North Koreans to ensure that if Mr. Clinton went, he would return with the journalists.  - - New York Times

It just goes to show you can never really write someone off. Last year's primary for the Democratic nomination was certainly a low point for the Clintons. They had alienated many many voters. Billy Jeff lost his "black cred". Of course he should've never had any to begin with. Now Obama certainly emerged the "winner" at that time. We were still reeling over Hillary's alluding to assassinations happening in June and preparing for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. That was a magical time I have to admit, but I also remember how pissed off a lot of women were. Not just the PUMAS. All of that seemed to be knocked over by the Obama juggernaut. The increased craziness from the McCain camp by unleashing Sarah Palin on an unsuspecting public certainly took up a lot of attention. Then the first wave of the economic collapse hit and Obama rode to victory.

Due to the continued white backlash against having a black President that isn't going to simmer down anytime soon, a return to the familiar (however dysfunctional) has a certain appeal. One thing we do know about the Clintons: they fight hard and dirty with NO regrets. Clinton went before a national audience and lied to us about Monika Lewinsky - and he was believable! Obama has already sputtered and apologized.

I think the next few months are going to be very interesting. If the healthcare plans crash and burn, the economy is still bad for middle-class whites (because let's face it none of them care as much about the poor or non-whites since a majority rules) and if Obama doesn't exert more control over the Democrats his weakness as a President will be cemented. So the question remains: will Hillary run for President in 2012 or what will she demand from Obama to not run?

Laura & Euna Are Free! Is This A Rise From the Ashes Moment For the Clintons?

Kim Jong II has pardoned journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Former President Clinton flew to North Korea to negotiate visit with the North Korean leader. I am certain their families are very relieved - and grateful. What I am even more curious about is what was promised to secure their release and why it was Billy Jeff who went and not another dignitary, politician or high-profile emissary like President Carter...or even Jesse Jackson, Sr. 

"Clinton expressed words of sincere apology to Kim Jong Il for the hostile acts committed by the two American journalists against the DPRK after illegally intruding into it," the news agency reported. "Clinton courteously conveyed to Kim Jong Il an earnest request of the U.S. government to leniently pardon them and send them back home from a humanitarian point of view.  - - CNN

I think the women have learned a valuable lesson about not playing with knives so to speak and how willing they were to risk their lives over chasing a story. Everyone always thinks they'll be the exception and someone else will be the "unlucky" one who never has to pay a penalty. There's still speculation that they may have knowingly entered North Korea illegally. Of course that hasn't been proven. They're lucky to be alive quite frankly. 

Does this help elevate the status of the Clintons and separate them from President Obama? Does this diminish Obama's stature? Did he need to seem distant from this situation to facilitate a quick remedy? I suspect whatever is going on behind the scenes, the political fall-out has yet to hit the fan. A "victory" might have long lasting repercussions that have yet to be revealed.

Barack & Hillary: Frenemies or Cougar Alert?!

I had to let the news sink in. Hillary Clinton being nominated for Secretary of State made me throw up a little in my mouth. I knew the drama surrounding the appointment had reached a fever pitch crescendo to rival the best of Puccini. I was wishing on a star this was like that season of Dallas when Pam found Bobby in the shower and the previous year had been a very bad dream. Oh well. 

It's not just due to the history of racial animus that occurred during the primaries. It's not just because the Clintons had to be dragged kicking and screaming on the campaign trail to support their party's nominee. There's also the very real history of violence, intimidation and funding of paramilitary groups in Latin American countries that has caused great harm to millions which was implemented and supported during the Clinton administration. And let's not forget NAFTA! You know Bill was grooming Hill the entire time he was in office. Theirs is the political marriage of our time.

Despite my grave misgivings about the secret deals, questionable funding sources and hidden agendas of Bill Clinton I can grudgingly recognize that his wife is one tough woman who's survived a lot. The thing is she's still attached to Bill. This is also the inherent flaw of some women's pursuit of all things feminist. There's a serious credibility issue for white women who have clearly benefited from white male supremacy by being married to it and raised by it, to then complain about being oppressed by it. 

Especially when all the talk of inclusion and diversity goes out the window when they are expected to operate on a level playing field with non-white people and don't want to. (Paging Gloria Steinem). It seems some white women like the pedestal a little bit more than they're letting on.  

Now I'm wondering if the President-Elect is being shrewd by trying to neutralize all inside threats to his administration and making an end run or whether he might actually like Hillary. Of course liking someone and trusting them are two entirely different things. Then the thought occurred to me how much Hill likes being attached to a powerful man and how the most powerful man right now is a man with the initial B, but it ain't Bill. This is survival of the fittest and a younger, healthier more spry man certainly has its appeal. Eeeeewww gross I know, but certainly not impossible. 

I'll be watching and waiting for the other shoe to drop, though. So is Mrs. O I bet! Mrs. Clinton will be on the road a lot carrying the Obama agenda flag. Who's minding the candy shop while Mama's away? What will come first: a scandal over another Clinton "indiscretion" or a direct sabotage attempt against Obama? Leopards don't change their spots. Snakes betray. Scorpions sting you to death (if they can). The Clintons are the Macbeths of the political world, after all. She still has to be confirmed. Those hearings are gonna be interesting. I've got the popcorn ready.

The Guardian has interesting analysis on this.

photo credit AP

President BJ

So Bill Clinton may have gone off script a little bit and slipped by his lukewarm support of Obama while on The View. As you know I said I have that show on permanent girlcott status for my sanity because the hosts have been in violation of objectivity. Later Clinton went on the Letterman and did the same thing. I guess it was pretty freakin' obvious as Chris Rock has apparently called Bill on his not-so-secret animosity and continued selfishness. Nice! 

Yes we know Hillary could've been a contender. Except.....a lot of those votes for her were either for Bill or against Obama.....and those who were supporting her and not white privilege or white woman entitlement couldn't see fit to help her get rid of her $20M campaign debt....still. Hillary had and still has a few major problems despite her plans for 2012 that she needs to keep in mind.

1. The Clintons have pissed off Black people - especially Black women.

2. Bill.

3. Bill.

4. Lack of transparency with all their 'shady' money dealings.

5. Did I mention Bill? 

Bill is worried about his 'legacy'. Don't worry it's intact - for what it's worth. Bill, you forgot to be "Presidential" and thought you were Hugh Hefner. That would be okay except:

1. You've been accused of rape and sexual coercion by numerous women.

2. Hillary trashed all those women by referring to them as trash (so much for sexism).

3. You are MARRIED.

4. This isn't the 50's...or the 60's...or even the 70's.

5. YOU ARE NOT HUGH HEFNER!!!!!

See you guys didn't do enough due diligence while you were in office and the 'Dumbocrats' were left to fend for themselves against an very organized Rethug onslaught.  It was open season. That capitulation STILL goes on today. It's why Nancy Pelosi had to take impeachment off the table. Look at all the Dems who rubber-stamped every Bush policy time and time again, though let's give Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney props for keeping the idea floating around at least!!

John McCain may be a 'friend' of yours but he sure ain't a friend of mine! His advisor and former Senator Phil Gramm pushed through the first bit of legislation the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that is causing this latest economic meltdown in 1999. When YOU were in office.  Yeah I got your legacy right here!

I am so tired of your ego, BJ. You are a multi-millionaire many times over. You are not hurting like the rest of us. I know what you really think of me as a voter and thanks for the reality check. I used to listen to the legend and believed the hype. I forgot that history is only retold by the victor and not an accurate account of what really happened. 

I don't like the double-standards surrounding your sexual escapades but I suppose your behavior was always out there for the world to see. It's no surprise it blew up in your face.

William Jefferson

Billy Jeff

BJ  -  yup those initials are appropriate for everything it connotes.

Yikes! Has anyone pointed this out to you yet? 

Update at 951pm with video of both Clinton and Rock's couch time.

Sexual Conduct and Double-Standards: Edwards, Clinton, Obama and Black people

John Edwards has a baby mama. Sure this is old news by now, well actually it's officially 'unconfirmed'. Yeah right. I give it a few weeks. On a more important note we lost two greats this weekend. R.I.P. Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.

So...why do I care? Black people are held to different standards.
Black women are thought to be loose morally.
White women get to benefit from behaving like Jezebel. Paris Hilton made her career from a sex tape. Even potential First Lady Cindy McCain was a 'mistress' before a missus.

This is not about judging people on a moral high ground/puritanical USA sexual hang-up meme.
This is about white men of privilege getting away with sexual misconduct without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Do you think if this had been Barack Obama people would be so understanding? If Michelle Obama had been Barack's mistress or if he'd had one it wouldn't have been made public on Faux News Network?

CNN "Black People Are Inferior And Here's Why" special report got it all wrong I'm afraid.

I found myself humming Billie Jean and thinking about Maury's infamous paternity result shows.

Will there be a criminal investigation? Campaign funds were used to pay 'compensation'. That compensation was supposed to be making videos - campaign videos that is. How easy do you think it is to get a paid staff job working for a politician? Add in a job where you have no previous or discernible experience in. What are the odds - seriously? Unless, unless you know somebody?

With sexism being talked about so heatedly this election cycle what example does this set for women in the workplace?

I always found Edwards to be too slick for his own good. I just wasn't excited by his campaign. His whining about not getting traction in the press did not endear me either. It reminds me of John McCain's fake outrage too. Now of course I think he didn't REALLY want too much scrutiny into his campaign and his life. All the skeletons would come tumbling out. Like McCain. I wish there would be more comparison to the 'Old Guy Running' who cheated on his first wife and left her for a rodeo queen heiress. Who wears $500 shoes and owns 9 houses - some of which he can't be bothered to pay taxes on. And people have a problem voting for a stellar [but not perfect] candidate because he's not white. SMH!

Plus Edwards wasn't exactly supportive of Same-Sex Loving Individuals who wish to marry. Is there a word for extra-low hypocrite?

Face it, John Edwards was trying to pull a Bill Clinton in a year when Democrats need to win. People were asleep at the wheel about Slick Billy Jeff in 1991. He came with that extra sexual curricular activity list from the get-go. Was it any surprise that it would continue unabated and perhaps escalate? It was Clinton fatigue that led Gore to distance himself. The Clintons were self-serving so the Democrats were in a weakened state already. The Republicans were united in their efforts, they were hypocritical and nefarious but focused. The downticket candidates had little help. Bush just squeaked by. People closed their eyes. Millions were illegally purged from the voter rolls. The Supreme Court pulled a monarchy move worthy of every dictator [West-friendly leader] the US Gov't has ever supported. The media kicked in by subverting...the news. And HERE WE ARE!

Do we REALLY need to be questioning how the Rethuglican party effed up this country? They had free reign for the past 8 years. Are you doing better? Do you have a job? What's your health coverage like? Spotty or Non-Existent or Enough to Qualify as a Mortgage Payment? Tried to go to Europe lately to see your USD worth pennies? Do you think the price of gas is going to fall .... or increase? Still willing to make excuses? Have you found yourself out on the street when that one paycheck you were relying on was gone? It's not just about electing a Democrat, but PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY CARE. I know I know you say but I don't know about that guy. He seems inexperienced. This country has some serious unresolved racial prejudices....but this country is hanging on by a thread. Are we there yet?