Bill Clinton's 60th birthday surprise

What in the name of God is Bill Clinton selling?

This weekend, Bill and Hillary Clinton will collect $60,000 apiece from donors who want to attend a Rolling Stones concert with the former first couple. A backstage pass, including dinner and a photo, will run you $500,000.

Five hundred thousand dollars.

Five hundred thousand dollars.

For another half-million dollars you can play a round of golf at the Bayonne Golf Club on Sunday morning. Or spend $100,000 and raise $250,000 more and you can have breakfast with the Clintons at the French bistro Pastis.

Not to be overly cynical, but it seems to us that smart people don't just throw a million dollars cash into a politician's lap (or his foundation) without expecting something of significant value in return.

Help with foreign business deals? U.S. Senate access? Future ambassadorships?

We won't know for years, if ever, and when we finally find out we'll be accused of running a right-wing conspiracy if we put two and two together.

Just the same, we recall the words of Agatha Christie:

"Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody."



Copyright 2006


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