Of US presidents past and present

Sitting on top of the United States of America can be pretty entertaining. And last week was one such very entertaining week for the Canucks (Canuck: a ‘pet name’ for Canadians by Canadians with some sort of vague genesis tracing back to the American Revolution).
Anyway, as I was saying there was substantial entertainment provided to the Canadians by their southern neighbours over the weekend which mainly came packaged in the shape of two of their ex-Presidents. In Toronto to talk about domestic and global issues facing Canada and the U.S., George W. Bush and Bill Clinton shared the stage in the Toronto Metro Convention Center on Friday for ‘A conversation with presidents,’ amid protests on the streets; jeers from every official and non-official comedian and sarcasm from RJs, VJs and DJs in general. “Will you be listening to the ‘informative’ talk of Bush on the weekend?” Asked one. “No, I already know how to tie my shoelaces,” replied the other.
But despite the free flow of sarcasm on talk shows and on radio, and amid banner holding protestors outside the Convention Center, 6,000 people – paying a sum of CAD $200 plus – still converged to hear Obama’s predecessors talk. No doubt about it that most went to see with their own eyes the sex appeal of Clinton and how W can’t help making a fool of himself. But while Clinton’s charm has not diminished apparently Bush has been working on his appeal it seems as the post-event media in Canada for Bush Jr has been quite flattering. Toronto Star columnist, Rosie Dimanno wrote, “Here's the shocking thing: As an contest between two men who once stood astride the most powerful nation on Earth, it was Bush – beleaguered, besieged, be-damned Bush – who scored higher on sheer entertainment performance.”
Perhaps away from the hawk-eyes of Rice and Cheney he has come into his own or maybe the solitary walks and cleaning up dog poop while walking his dog on his vast lawns has given him a heightened sensitivity. Whatever it is, the media, while not actually gushing, were pretty complimentary of Bush’s self deprecatory manner and easy handling of tough questions. And reports state that he in fact received a commendable applause when he defended the most damaging act of his presidency, the Iraq War, by saying, “…Getting rid of Saddam Hussein made the world a fundamentally more peaceful place..!”
Interestingly, the media persons invited were only allowed to take notes. No tape recorder or camera was allowed in and hence, no media reel of the event was made available to the public by any news channel. Just as well, I suppose because those of us who love to hate Bush would have been sadly disappointed by his recovery/transformation into a charming, and ‘allegedly’ quick-witted man that he seems to have become. Well, since he’s not planning anymore wars I suppose he’s learning the PR ropes more effectively.
Incidentally, both men had even discarded their party politics and actually defended each others’ actions vis a vis Bush’s Iraq decision and Clinton’s inaction in Rwanda.
Canadians have recently been fuming under a new law that became effective last Monday which requires Canadians as well as Americans to have passports while crossing borders. But when the issue – which will result in severe impediments to businesses and the work force across the two countries – was brought up by the mediator (Frank McKenna, a former Canadian Ambassador to the US), both ex-Presidents came up clueless. While Clinton gave a quick reply in earnest concern saying, “I didn’t know, I promise you've got my attention...I’ll see if there’s anything I can do..” Bush simply looked confounded and said “I don’t know anything about the passport issue…what happened about the (E-Z) pass?” Of course The Star was quick to turn this ignorance into a healthy joke coming up with a cartoon the next day showing a harassed Bush without a passport not being allowed back into the US while crossing the border in his limo and the US immigration officer asking on the phone, “We HAVE to let him back in?”
In a different twist over the weekend the first US couple too made interesting news when the Republican National Committee (RNC) ruined their weekend by splashing a news release on President Obama and first lady Michelle’s date in New York. On late Saturday afternoon, the Obamas were seen jetting across with aides and media on a military plane to first see a Broadway play and then to dine at ‘Blue Hill, a West Village restaurant.’ Incidentally, this was a date that Obama had promised his wife while they were both working hard on the campaign trail. The RNC’s press release which immediately followed the date-trail, rebuked Obama saying that he says he understands ‘Americans' troubles, but then hops up to New York for, a night on the town.’ The release stated; “…Putting on a show: Obamas wing into the city for an evening out while another iconic American company (GM) prepares for bankruptcy.”
The poor chap’s romantic evening must eventually have ended on approving the draft of a White House response to his amorous attempts towards his own wife! Though one can’t help but admire the system which puts the most powerful man in the free world through an accountability process (which is especially baffling to Pakistani citizens who have uncomplainingly paid for uncountable personal travels of presidents past and present).
And now as a final round up on news of interest happening in the US it would be appropriate to mention here that Jay Leno wrapped up his role as host of the Tonight Show after 17 years of hosting and after taking it over from Johnny Carson. Typical of Leno, he was neither soppy nor tearful during his farewell appearance. In fact he couldn’t keep away from his customary jabs and ended by accrediting his successful shows to a few who kept his show alive. He said, "I have to thank some people who made the show a success - Michael Jackson, Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton... When I started this show, my hair was black and the president was white. ...and …the legacy I leave behind are the 68 children of staffers born during the 17 years of my show…” A dignified farewell, indeed.

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