Fortune Magazine: In words, Bill Clinton is no Al Gore

[catgirl]

Fortune Magazine) -- Bill Clinton's new book, Giving, is a who's who of organizations and individuals that have crossed paths with him in the world of philanthropy and volunteerism. Readers are given a privileged seat at the table of the annual Clinton Global Initiative, where private-sector leaders make pledges of noble and often highly innovative undertakings.

As Clinton rightly reminds us, what these individuals are doing is important and at times world-changing. Giving will be a useful guide, and an inspiration, to the many people around the world who are stepping forward as volunteers of time, money, and creativity to a burgeoning range of good causes.


Former president Bill Clinton is too pollyannaish in his new book about volunteerism.

Still, something is missing. Perhaps inevitably in an election year, there's no edge, no priorities, no worrisome gaps - only wonderful ideas, friends, and accomplishments. Worse, there's no asking whether and when the good works add up to real change.

New Orleans: The slow road back
We wince, for example, at Clinton's description of the "historic Israeli-Palestinian peace accord" of September 1993 and the many good works in its wake.

Since the accord actually collapsed, what are the lessons? We are not told. We wince again at Clinton's praise for the outpouring of volunteer efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, since we also know that New Orleans has not, in fact, been rebuilt.

Read on: http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/05/magazines/fortune/clinton_book_review.fortune/

This is exactly why Al Gore is the top choice for 2008.

[flpoljunkie]

1. Reading the Vanity Fair Gore article really made me so angry again at our shameless, feckless media

Here's a link, if you have not read it, entitled "Going after Gore."

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/10/gore200710

[catgirl]

3. That's a great article (Vanity Fair)

Thanks for posting it.

[Peregrine Took]

2. Al is person of great dignity and integrity. No comparison.

[Pirate Smile]

4. That is the actual headline for the review of Bill's book. I didn't realize that at first.

"In words, Bill Clinton is no Al Gore
Government gets off too easy in the ex-President's new book on philanthropy, writes Jeffrey Sachs in Fortune.

By Jeffrey Sachs, Fortune
September 6 2007: 5:49 AM EDT

(Fortune Magazine) -- Bill Clinton's new book, Giving, ...

-snip-
We live in a time of diminished, and sometimes nonexistent, public leadership. Volunteers can rebuild some houses in New Orleans, but when public action fails, as is the case in that forsaken city, private efforts are utterly overwhelmed. "

[karynnj]

19. It says something when Fortune magazine says it lets government off too easily

[jzodda]

5. Well neither of them are running so it matters little

We have to work with what we have for 2008

[catgirl]

6. We'll see

Gore may jump in. I hope so.

[polichick]

7. Here's my problem with all that giving...

If the resources we provide the government were not squandered, all that extra giving wouldn't be necessary. Seems to me there's a lot of enabling going on with this new brand of volunteerism ~ we pay twice for half the benefits. What a deal!

[catgirl]

11. I totally agree

Bill Clinton once said that the sight of the Katrina
mobile homes was very warming. I wish I had the
trannscript of that interview. He and elder Bush
were being interviewed together. Tag team.

[mod mom]

8. AL GORE is the real deal. Think of his unpublicized efforts during the Katrina

debacle.

[IndyOp]

16. We know what he did...

[Superman Returns]

9. Gore > Clinton

Sometimes I wish it was Gore who was President during the 90's. Clinton was a good President, but Gore had the brain, the vision, and the integrity to be America's leader.

[polichick]

10. I joined up with the Clinton campaign because of Gore...

But never felt the administration lived up to expectations when it came to the environment. I'm not sure what happened there, but I'd love to see Gore have the chance to be the president he was elected to be.

[Uncle Joe]

12. My first positive impression of Clinton was based on his selection of Al Gore as his Vice-President,

that was the moment I felt Clinton could be a successful President. I thought then as I believe now, no one is better qualified for the Presidency than Al Gore, frankly speaking I believe Al is the best.

[glitch]

13. Mine too. And I couldn't agree more about your assessment. nt

[AtomicKitten]

14. Al Gore is the best of men.

And I still have my fingers crossed.

[illinoisprogressive]

15. Bill is no writer. I tried to read his book when if first came out and could not read it.

I thought it was terrible. A pity because I thought it would be interesting to read about an interesting life and I just could not read it.
he is no writer and should not try to be.

[IndyOp]

17. Bill & G.H.W. sittin' in a tree...

So many great times together!

[catgirl]

18. Yep.

And Bill gave regular advice to junior.

[MODemocrat]

20. If Al Gore runs again, I'll be less enthusiastic this time

I worked as much as I was able for Al, but when he picked Joe Lieberman for his running mate, he
almost lost my vote; and there were many who didn't vote for him because of Joe. If he'd gone ahead and picked Edwards from the get go, he would have probably won in a landslide; then Bush couldn't
have stolen it away from the one who won the popular vote as Al did.:-( x(