Bill Clinton Makes Surprise Appearance in Bangor (greets returning troops)

[MaineDem]

The former President's private plane stopped at Bangor International Airport for repairs Monday night.

Mr. Clinton jumped off and began greeting a contingent of US troops who were arriving in the US from Iraq. The former president praised their courage

http://www.wcsh6.com/home/article.asp?id=30412

(not much more at the link. The tv news had a great video.)

[rodeodance]

1. te he, good for him.

[tinymontgomery]

2. Going to be a bad day

at the White House. This will put * in a bad mood!

[stepnw1f]

11. good

hopefully he falls off his bike again. Hell... lets send the moron a crate of pretzels.

[Tight_rope]

LMBAO...Good idea!

[Tight_rope]

13. LMBAO...Good idea!

[reichstag911]

3. What was he doin' in Thailand?

That would probably be GW's question were he to be told this news...if he knew where Bangkok is, anyway.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. My guess is something to do with the tsunami relief work

that he's been active in.

[thecrow]

5. Bangor is in Maine

[Bridget Burke]

6. That was a question that Bush might ask about the appearance!

It's a bit early in the AM to catch sarcasm, through.

[reichstag911]

41. Where's Maine?

:sarcasm:

[Maine-ah]

50. thankyou

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

nice and close to Canada

[myrna minx]

55. Homer Simpson:

Who can find Canada on a map when it's all tucked away down there? :shrug:

[Andromeda]

64. Next to Bangkok.

:evilgrin:

[gorbal]

47. I'm in Maine to

And you should have heard me laugh when I read this:)

[Andromeda]

63. It's not Bangkok.

It's Bangor, Maine. :)

[zbdent]

7. Watch for some military type pulling the "fingers crossed" bit

like they did with Hillary . . . were there any cheers for the former C-in-C?

[adriennui]

8. bill always had class

even through the lewinsky impeachment hearings. this proves it.

the chimp wouldn't leave his lair unless he was surrounded by dozens of secret servicemen and a guarantee of a friendly audience.

[CottonBear]

9. Wow! Cheney's gonna be pissed. I doubt they told DimSon about it.

I hope the troops appreciated President Clinton's praise and greetings. They've been fed a diet of Faux News and Rush over there (I know because an Army sargeant friend of mine just got back from Iraq and was complaining about the "liberal media.")

[trotsky]

10. It's so wonderful to see a president who is truly loved and admired.

Watching the video, you could see that. * will never be able to achieve that.

[kiraboo]

12. Well, CRAP!

I live in Bangor and would have so appreciated seeing him. For all his many flaws, to me he represents hope.

[TheGunslinger]

49. My state gets * on Wed. (catapaulting economic propaganda)

[leftchick]

14. Here is an abc news link...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1489944

BANGOR, Maine Jan 10, 2006 — Former President Bill Clinton surprised U.S. troops arriving from Iraq when his refueling stop at the Bangor International Airport coincided with the arrival of two flights carrying soldiers.

Clinton was returning Monday night from Paris where he had met with French President Jacques Chirac to discuss plans for his charitable organization, the Clinton Foundation.

His plans for a quick departure were waylaid when a problem was discovered with the aircraft, allowing him to join a line of local troop greeters who meet each plane carrying soldiers returning from overseas or leaving for duty.

"Thank you for your service," Clinton said as he shook hands and hugged many of the soldiers. He autographed hats, cards and other items.

<snip>

"This is great," Staff Sgt. Anthony Thompson of New York City told the Bangor Daily News.

[Old and In the Way]

15. My wife said he got right in the greeting line.

One of the returning soldiers called his wife on his cell and said something like, "Honey, I'm in Bangor and I'm talking with Bill Clinton. Want to speak with Bill?" Then he handed the phone to BC and he said hello.

Too funny. I'm sure Bush would like to see him just go away permanently. Clinton is his reminder of what a complete failure he is in comparison. Must chew the 'war pResident' up knowing that he be vilified in history while Clinton's stature will only rise. Good.

[Joey Liberal]

16. This will outrage Faux News!!! n.t

[grasswire]

17. for repairs??????????????

Yikes. Be careful, Bill.

[llmart]

18. I love it when he upstages the little prick.......

You just know the right wingers will blow a stroke over this. In fact, maybe Cheney will need a return trip to the ER:)

[Catherine Vincent]

19. Good deal, Big Dawg!

I love Bill Clinton!

[Rainscents]

20. Clinton is loved by world... I so much miss him!

[Auntie Bush]

21. Me too...He's the one who got me really interested in politics.

Now it's the most important subject to me! Thanks Bill! :bounce:
I never lost faith in you...never!

Doesn't he look really happy greeting everyone. Now that's what I call Presidential.

[medeak]

22. Clinton Surprises Troops Back From Iraq

BANGOR, Maine (AP) -- Former President Bill Clinton surprised U.S. troops arriving from Iraq when a refueling stop for his private plane at the Bangor International Airport coincided with the arrival of two flights carrying soldiers.

Clinton was returning Monday night from Paris where he had met with French President Jacques Chirac to discuss plans for his charitable organization, the Clinton Foundation.

"Thank you for your service," Clinton said as he shook hands and hugged many of the soldiers. He autographed hats, cards and other items.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLINTON_BANGOR?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

[Gato Moteado]

23. b-b-b-but i thought the military hated clinton......

....oh wait....it's just those keyboard warriors on free republic that never wore a uniform that say that about our military.

[stanwyck]

53. My son loves Bill

he'd be honored by a visit from Clinton. (my son is a Marine with two tours in Iraq. Now safely back in the states for a few more months.)

[Gato Moteado]

57. does he have to go back to iraq?

i hope he's home for good.

[stanwyck]

58. Late this year.

He's home until the late summer. He'll then go on a European "tour". Then, back to Iraq.
Thanks for asking.

[Gato Moteado]

59. he's been there twice........

.....why do they need to send him again? aren't there some young republicans that can go in his place to give him a breather? this makes no sense.

what does he have to say about the war? does he think it's a big halliburton scam?

[stanwyck]

60. Marine recruitment is down

imagine that. My son's take on the war is that he wishes we had an administration which would have worked to avoid war. However, once committed, he's there to ensure the safety of his fellow Marines. The politics, once there, aren't as important as the brother Marines. He voted for Kerry.
And, yes, he got over the "spreading freedom" right away. He says it's clear the average Iraqi wants us out. Gone. And they'll democratically elect the government which will throw us out and take all the goodies we leave behind. A very strong Islamic fundamentalist government which will threaten us for decades.
And we helped!
By the way, the support of liberals for my son and my family has been overwhelming.
Meanwhile, the support from conservatives is a magnet on a car.

[Gato Moteado]

61. hey but that magnet cost them $2.99 at walmart!

and when they put it sideways on the back of their SUV it looks like the "christian" fish. so they kill two birds with one stone for only $2.99.

well, anyway, i hope they start pulling out before your son has to go back. he's done his service.....more than his share. let some young repubs go out there and deal with this mess for a while.

[medeak]

24. "this is great"

This is great," Staff Sgt. Anthony Thompson of New York City told the Bangor Daily News.

There was smoke in the cockpit that became heavier as the plane was taxiing after landing, but no one was in danger, Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said Tuesday in New York. Another plane was brought in and Clinton left about four hours later for White Plains, N.Y.


Clinton had some fun when Army Spc. Joshua Ruschenberg used a cell phone provided by troop greeters to call his sister-in-law, Shancy Garrison, in North Carolina. He handed over the phone to the former commander in chief.

edited to say....can you imagine if Bush's cockpit was filled with smoke he would be greeting and talking on cell phones? He would be frozen in that dazed look

[papau]

25. The last real, elected President greets the troops returning home.

Rather nice -

Bet mainstream media will ignore because they do not have a pro-Bush/GOP story line that this would fit into.

[Maccagirl]

26. Thanks for the link

It's a great story. Glad that no one on the plane was in danger. Damn that Big Dog-he knows how to make us miss him just by his spontaneous actions.

[napi21]

27. And I BET they didn't have to cordon off everything to protect

him from any protesters either!

OH how I hope the days come back when our American President can make a speech somewhere and anyone is welcome! When he can visit another Country and be welcomed instead of burned in effigy!

[SKKY]

28. I'll say it now like I tell everyone who bashes Bill Clinton...

...You can say what you want about the man. But if it weren't for Term limitations, we'd be looking at the only 4-time elected President. He's the man.

[alcibiades_mystery]

30. Roosevelt was elected 4 times, no?

1932, 1936, 1940, 1944?

[SKKY]

36. Well, I meant since we enacted term limitations, but yes, you are...

...correct. My bad.

[CottonBear]

29. To make the story even better: he was just back from France! n/t

[Sparkman]

31. Bill Clinton came up from the lower middle class, a scholar & a gentlemen.

And anyone who says his infidelity amounts to a hill of beans, let alone an impeachable topic for questions from congress, is a dupe and a coward. Fighting dirty is the relm of the coward.
Bill Clinton is a hero of mine.

[tabasco]

32. Thank you, President Clinton.

I was active military your entire presidency and you were a great Commander In Chief.

What a vast contrast to the idiot we have now.

[FreakinDJ]

33. REAL PRESIDENT = REAL SUPPORT 4 OUR TROOPS

Maybe Bush can go buy another sticker

[msgadget]

34. There will be more homecoming galas to follow

and they have nothing to do with Clinton but with a campaign to prove America loves and appreciates it's troops.

[oneighty]

35. Gee

When I came home from Korea in 1953 nobody greeted 'poor me'. One of my draft evading classmates said; "Hi Ed I have not seen you in years. Where have you been?

Many people do not notice veterans returning from war and they do not care and they do not give a shit, but they got their flags and their yellow ribbons for show time.

Nice to see Clinton doing this. He did not have to.

180

[msgadget]

51. I'm sorry no one greeted you when you returned from service, Oneighty

And, I didn't mean these guys and gals don't deserve a 'welcome home'. I'm suggesting some of these will be PR events.

[oneighty]

52. As a friend pointed out

It is best to bring the boys home one at a time in order to avoid the collective attention drawn by a shipload of warriors pissed off at the people that sent them to war.

Power in numbers.

There is no need to be sorry for me. I was not especially interested in the war.

Coming home was just another day in a young life.

180

[medeak]

37. how about just fuckin feeding our troops?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x91667

[Orsino]

40. Poor things. Their hearts probably soared for a moment...

...until they remembered that he's no longer President.

What a let-down.

[AnneD]

38. He's still MY President

the last 2 elections were frauds. Sigh...I miss the days when the worst we worried about was a stain on a dress.....

[montana_hazeleyes]

39. Love This!

How wonderful. I smiled the whole time reading the story and viewing the the video.

And President Clinton looked good. To me he has charisma second only to Elvis.

[Demeter]

42. And Was Hillary there?

If not, why not?

[Bridget Burke]

56. She has a job.

And if she'd turned up, I'm sure we'd have folks accusing her of grabbing publicity.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cmdrzog]

44. The beauty of it is he didn't plan it

didn't choreograph it, didn't have canned lines, didn't pre-screen the audience, didn't rehearse an attempt to show human emotion, didn't try to exploit these men. Its the difference between human and borg... and yes its a big whoop... and a hoot.

[MaineDem]

45. Thanks for your input

Has Bush been to the funeral of a dead soldier yet? Has he met the returning caskets?

Clinton didn't do this to worry or concern George. So you don't have to worry either.

[alcibiades_mystery]

46. Oh, we know all about Bush's "planned" meetings with the troops

Planned down to the canned lines and mandatory applause. Planned down to the absurd backdrops and outrageous lies. Planned down to the angle of the ship and the location of the sun. Planned alright. You must be the most pathetic troll yet.

[stanwyck]

54. heaven forbid someone see how close

he was to land during his ballyhooed "Mision Accomplished" stunt. So...turn that carrier around.
And my freeper brother in law tried to tell me that the "Mission Accomplished" banner was just spontaneously made and flown by enthusiastic sailors.
The mind boggles.

[ngGale]

48. YAY, for Big Bill...

our only 'real' President. :loveya:

[President Kerry]

62. You're still MY PRESIDENT, Pres. Clinton.

Thank you for your class.

[Andromeda]

65. I adore Bill Clinton...

and when I see him I feel so sad that he's not our President any more. I wish they'd do away with term limits so he could run again. No chance of that though.