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Published: February 8th 2012
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The joke on the way was that we have a high chance of getting fellatio if we go to Arkansas, the home of Bill Clinton (a different term used at the time). We wondered if that was just a past time in the area - since not only Bill and Monica Lewinsky - but now we had the 50 year old with that ‘irresistible’ tongue back in Clarksdale revealing so (read previous blog before drawing conclusions.)
With the prospect of getting fellatio we realised we hadn’t done a Hooters yet and that was a requirement of our road trip - To go to not only as many fast food joints but sit down restaurants which exploit female assets. World famous Hooters I have to say is the worst of America’s offerings. On Mondays during the football season they do provide unlimited Buffalo wings for $10 so the unhealthy diet continued and I got down about 18 wings and a bunch to take way.
The next day we drove to the Bill Clinton Presidential Centre. It’s the newest and most extensive Presidential Library in USA. The largest archival collection of an American Presidential history, including the
only 2 emails that Clinton sent. Approx 76.8 million pages of paper documents, 1.85 million photographs and over 75 000 museum artefacts. All documents are free for the public to look at and if you think you are in a photo with Bill you can order in a copy at the archives section as long as you provide the date and where it was at and they’ll find it eventually.
Bill Clinton was the 42
nd President and these libraries are built up around 5 years after their presidency is complete. Clinton chose to build it on the banks of the Little Rock River Market district. It was an old toxic waste place and when building commenced they had to dig up tonnes of toxic soil and re put fresh soil before building.
The design is very eco friendly with the floor made from recycled tyres, solar energy and all that. Very modern compared to Eisenhower’s brick library in Abilene Kansas I saw.
The tour costs about $7 and when we walked to the entrance and saw the price we were like “Ah, not worth it.” A volunteer opens the door and
yells out to our backs. “It’s the festive season come in for free I’m feeling festive today.” And thanks to her it was actually a good experience. Not to sound petty but $5 is usually a good cut off point for me for museums if I don’t really care for it.
The volunteers are proud of their states President and I think we were invited in through boredom. We were willing to walk around by ourselves and the lady was like “No no >insert name< would love to show you around.”
It starts off with the official limo car that Clinton used. Information about it like its weight, where the only other people on the tour understood. I’m lost once you get higher than a basketball hoop from the ground, especially when they talk in the old scale. The tyres are bullet proof and other gadgets for protection. Clinton is the last President to get lifetime security. George W and Obama will only get 10 years.
Up the stairs, the main attraction – a carbon copy (built to the exact measurements) of the white houses oval office. Basically the inside is
how it looked like when President Clinton was in. Colours featured the looks of his home state with white, creams and reds. Apparently W Bush had sandy colours to replicate the Texan desert.
The oval office desk has a special feature that no other symbol of the flying eagle has anymore. I think it was Eisenhower (if someone can clarify please do) who changed it because he didn’t want the nation to be symbolised by war but peace so changed the way the flying eagle was facing. Changing to look toward the olive branch not the arrows that are clutched on the eagle’s talons.
Next up was the gifts from other American and International dignitaries. The main feature is a massive green based Chinese or Japanese jewel with decorative flowers. I told the guide about how our lame Prime Minister Gillard last year gave Obama a present from the nation… An ipod of Australian music including Jimmy Barnes mutilating blues songs.
Downstairs is the main gallery who’s design is based on the Trinity College in Dublin. It goes through the 8 years of his presidency including every schedule that was made
in his entire presidency. Concluding with a copy of the cabinet room including the slightest of higher chairs for the President.
There was no mention (or easily visible at least) of the embassy bombings in Africa or the Monica Lewinsky trials. A couple of facts about him is; In 1978 he became the youngest governor in America. Also when re-elected in 1996 it made him the first Democrat since Franklin D Roosevelt to win two full terms.
The key points to the visit is to (according to the inner page of the brochure) Relive the Excitement (of Bill playing the sax), Reflect on challenges and achievements (the Palistine-Isreal peace agreements), Explore life in the Whitehouse (the efforts to make the house feel like home) and Experience decision making.
It’s pretty obvious that the Presidency is going to be portrayed in a bright light but for a good historic trip through presidencies it could be a good way to dedicate a road trip. These Libraries are scattered around the country and how George W’s is going to be presented when it opens in 2013 must be anticipated with much fanfare by Presidential
Library enthusiasts... Oh dear starting to sound like I have become one? I even forgot about getting head in Arkansas. Shit…
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