Bill Clinton's Dinner Remarks

I took a few notes at the dinner on things Bill Clinton had to say that I found interesting:

The main point of his prepared remarks was that there has never been a better time for private citizens to work for the public good. The three main vehicles that have enabled this: 1. The Power of Public Opinion 2. The Internet 3. Non-Governmental Organizations

He told a story of how a woman once asked, "When is all the meanness going to stop?" He told her, "When it doesn't work anymore."

He believes that repairing global relationships should be a priority on our national agenda.

If he were in office, the three domestic issues that would be a priority: 1. Eliminating the deficit, balancing the budget, inacting a conservative fiscal policy ("We shouldn't be borrowing money from the Chinese to pay for Bill Clinton's tax cuts") 2. Radically changing energy policy - Alleviating dependence on foreign oil, Investing in alternative energies will also create new jobs that this country desperately needs. 3. Redoing healthcare - Malpractice is too expensive, doctors are forced to practice defensive medicine, last two months of life are the most expensive ("The U.S. is one of the most religious countries but we're also the most reluctant to go to heaven")

He mentioned a radical shift in energy policy at several different points during the evening. Once he mentioned it and referenced ANWR. He said the drilling ANWR was not a viable solution to our energy crisis - "We'll get about six months worth of gas from ANWR"

Someone asked if Iraq was really artificial construct and if it would most likely separate and become three countries one Sunni, one Kurdish and one Shiite. Clinton said it was a very intelligent question and I was unable to discern his opinion on what he thought would happen from his answer.

He said it was very important that the U.S. create new jobs. "We have no right to ask the Indians and Chinese to be poor."

If Women, Blacks and Latinos would enter careers in the life sciences at the same rate as White Men, not Asians who enter them at a higher rate, we would greatly improve our future. Historically we have imported our math and science brains. Post 9/11 we have made it too difficult for foreigners to come here to learn. "For every one bomb, we keep out ten brains." Those that are coming are returning home after school because the situations in their home countries have improved to the point where they are now more attractive then they were in the past.

He said it was very important to make Lebanon a free country again.
For Palestinians to have their own country, transportation, and a way to do business with the Israelis.
Need to heal the Israeli public that has been traumatized.
Increased concern about Syria and the assasination. Was it ordered by their president or was it a rogue assasination?