Giving

By Bill Clinton

Clinton describes, how now that he has time, his world experiences in giving as a private person. He describes many NGO’s fund raising and giving processes. He describes giving of money, time, ideas, as well as different models of giving. He claims there are three trends leading to an increase in giving, the Internet, charitable giving, democracy, the third of which speaks to the ultimate price we have paid for a free and democratic Iraq. He didn’t say that in print, but I read it in the white space between the lines. While he described a stereo-typical agenda of a republican what you really come to appreciate is the non partisan tone in his overall message, a message to take note of. I also took note of his portrayal of a healthy and flourishing economy American economy under G. W. Bush (in print); a far cry from his party dogma, especially his wife. (“this administration…”)

While inspiring, the book takes on the persona of a Clinton rant, much like the one America endured in his farewell address. And to be kind it is much like Walt Whitman. I could hear his voice in my head and actually not only enjoyed it, but also came to grips with why so many folks like him. It is a rant because of the endless list of NGOs accompanied by their short dossier. The book engages the reader to begin shopping where he can plug in. I found one worth exploring called YAL. Young Arab Leaders is commissioned to making opportunity available to young Arabs. Their goal is to out-recruit bin-Laden. Another NGO of interest to me is called Seeds for Peace, which is centered on reconciliation. There is another NGO called HOPE here in Cincinnati focused on reaching out to our neighbors in South America. I was a little curious why the two organizations I am keen in Big Brother and Boy Scouts were over looked.

Where Clinton grabbed my respect was in his personal involvement in an Arkansas foundation. THEA founded by Clinton’s friends is a NGO for the promotion of Art where Clinton is a prime contributor and when you add up the numbers, they are significant. I most appreciate the discrete portrayal of his financial role. In his role in the tsunami and Katrina relief efforts I need to quote Clinton to be sure I get it right about the non partisan nature of giving: “The Efforts George Bush and I made to help people begin again benefited us more than those who received the funds. It also gave us the opportunity to rebuild a friendship that began almost twenty-five years ago, when he was vice president and I was a young governor. We’ve had a lot of fun traveling the United States and the world. Although we still have our political differences, we can laugh about them, even when arguing…”

When it came to the environment, a topic that requires non-partisan participation, Clinton began with a few alligator tears about how he could not get much past Congress in 1993. He ran into Newt Gingrich at the time. But then he quickly and gracefully moved on to admit that timing was just not there. He then described how now an organized marketplace and numerous NGOs has proven far more effective with far more potential than his plan. He specifically describes an organized marketplace whereby consumers purchase only goods that conform to the betterment of our world as a method of giving. He praised Al Gore for his Inconvenient Truth book/movie, aimed at fifth graders in my opinion; he did not recognize his old foe Newt Gingrich. Oddly enough the next book on my reading list is Contract With the Environment by New Gingrich speaking on the marketplace’s organization to cleaning up the environment. When Gingrich was asked if he was running for president he said, “no because like Gore I cannot accomplish what needs to be accomplished for the good of America with partisan politics in the way.” It is my hope Clinton reads Gingrich’s book and recognizes that you have to put the sword back in the stone for good to be 100% genuine. His campaign activity in support of his wife says he cannot do that, which is a shame.

In any case I highly recommend this book to all walks of life it is an inspiring prescription to a world of giving, which translates to a world of peace.