Update - Viewing blocked video:
My overseas readers have informed me that they are unable to watch this video content due to internet blocking. However, a timely article just appeared in another blog, BrokenSecrets.com which explains how to use a Firefox plug-in to circumvent the blocking. Give it a try; I'd be curious to know how well it works.
Former president Bill Clinton recently appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It was a surprisingly sober, but enlightening, exchange for a comedy news show. In fact, Stewart remained remarkably quiet during the interview.
This is because, regardless of what your opinion is of Clinton, the man knows about government and the economy. The shows producers apparently thought so as well; they made the unedited video available on the Comedy Central web site.
These two videos are very much worth watching. Clinton tells it like it is regarding the economy, the intent of the Conservatives to further dismantle government to convert more power into private hands, and the role of the Tea Party as dupes to this end.
My apologies to my readers overseas as this deals mainly with American politics, yet there may be something of value for you here as well.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Exclusive - Bill Clinton Extended Interview Pt. 1 | ||||
| ||||
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Bill Clinton Pt. 2 | ||||
| ||||
[Note: in some cases this may take a while to load... apparently it is receiving a LOT of views.]
18 comments:
I watched this the other day and my first thought was why isn't he out their pushing the Democrats cause? Republicans are one sort of crazy, this Tea Party nonsense is a whole other kind of crazy.
I will watch this when I have more time, but I also wonder why the Dems are in such a bad state with the electorate when the other options are so horrible? I have voted many times to help elect the less bad. Is this one of those times when I have to say we deserve what we get? Something is truly skewed these days.
My wife sent me your most recent blog. Really enjoyed it. You've been around a while; I'm new to the scene with my own fumbling attempts but am looking forward to reading more of yours.
iskywricHaven't watched the full interview yet, but saw the start of it on the show. I am always impressed with his knowledge and practical nature as to politics. It is so frustrating that he squandered it all. I will watch the full interview when there is a little more time to allow for it all.
Those videos aren't visible outside the US, but I'll take your word for it. Bill Clinton is a smart man. The guys who questioned him for the Grand Jury used every trick to make him talk dirty, but he always side-stepped them.
Orhan I think that is the idea, he is out there pushing the Democratic cause. Unfortunately most Americans will see him on "Comedy Central".
DJan Do watch it when you can... I have never heard a more lucid and sobering assessment of our future.
Peter Welcome! Probably most of my brilliance has been already written; But I don't expect to be earning any Pulitzers from here on out.
BackRow But you know, unlike most public figures who slunk away into obscurity after scandal, Clinton has remained out there. Ok, so he made a poor decision. He's moving on and has something to contribute. I am glad he is not throwing away his wisdom just because he got knocked off the "pedestal".
Bananas Bummer, I didn't know you guys couldn't view this overseas. What's that about anyway?!?! As I said to BackRow, the man is still sharp... this in a time when half our population is revering a total nit-wit from Alaska.
I had trouble getting to it because it insisted I watch it from the Canadian comedy channel. "Click" knows I'm a Canadian visitor to your blog and sends me off to the Canadian version.
I'll have to watch. I'm very liberal and have always voted democrat so I'm sure I'll be impressed. I hope that republicans and the like appreciate Clinton's cross-over appeal. Kind of like what Reagan had before he lost his mind.
KleinsteMotte It's silly that they won't air this video outside the US, not like Comedy Central is giving out state secrets or anything. Damn, we're going to end up like China, filtering the damn Internet.
Awkward Well Clinton will not likely run for office again, but he lays it out pretty clearly here. If only the morons listening to the Conservative drivel had the intellect to understand a moderately complex construct.
These are excellent videos. Lots of respect for Clinton and he speaks clearly and unemotionally and lays out the truth which is so unlike the news.
Thanks for sharing, I really should polish up on my knowledge of US politics. Clinton is well liked here in Aus I should add
I couldn't get the second one to load, but will go back to it later. I was always impressed by Clinton - I find it appalling that so many people get stuck on the ridiculous affair and overlook all the years of peace and prosperity we had with him. I feel sorry for Obama having walked into an even bigger mess than Clinton faced when he was elected.
Much as I cringe to admit it, you are right about Clinton, the man knows politics and the economy. But then, history is full of genious who just couldn't quite figureout how to run their personal lives. What does this mean?
TechnoBabe Only on the internet can one find unfettered and uninterrupted information like this. NO WAY would an interview like this appear on ANY US news program... where would you fit in the stop-smoking and erectile dysfunction commercials??
RawCulture Because of his oval office indiscretion he can never run for office again; too bad, the man was/is smart. But then our populace doesn't like people smarter than they are.
SecretAgent I saw a quote that went something like: Bush drove a buss off a cliff and Obama is now being blamed for not having it sprout wings and fly.
Yes occasionally the videos don't run, then they do later... odd. It simply may be server load.
EntreNous I think it means they are fallible and human... just like the rest of us.
Unfortunately, I can't watch the videos in the UK, but I'll take your word for it.
Seeing your post, we went back and watched - via X-Box - the program and it is all that you said. I have avoided the news for some time and it actually felt odd to hear straight talk and good sense. But I became afraid a few years ago that we were the people who admired the emperor's clothes and I don't know that we've changed enough to listen to real answers when they appear.
I will point out that the interest rate decisions made during Clinton's administration have had some impact on the current recession.
I'm probably the lone fiscal conservative who comments here--but I have other issues with the Tea Party, who are really good at reminding everyone that they have the right to religious freedom, but are unlikely to remember that I do, too, if they get elected.
Madame I just updated the blog with a "fix" so you folks outside the US can see these videos.
MaryLinn The established news media is so attention-span-deprived. Unless it can be conveyed in two simple sentences, it never airs. Until the media looks at us as something other than "consumers" it will never change and we will have to resort to digging to find crucial information.
Dr. Mom Yes, Clinton is not without sin. I am not a big fan of NAFTA, for example.
I think everyone is a fiscal conservative to some extent. I have worked in government - overwhelmingly I have found that people want the other guy's program cut, but they want THEIR program saved. There's a lot of wiggle room there for both stances.
Post a Comment