Jackson Day in Tennessee

Once a year the TN Democratic Party has a "Jackson" day to honor President Andrew Jackson who is widely considered the founder of the modern Democratic party ( although I think that may really belong to Jefferson). At any rate Archie and I went this year. The keynote speaker was President Clinton, with speeches by Vice President Al Gore, Governor Phil Bredesden, former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Brilliant evening, and I would encourage everyone who is having the Republican propaganda about health care thrown at them to please READ information from other sources for yourself. There is NO DEATH PANEL, all of these things are the only agenda the Republicans have to prevent everyone from accessing health care since they no longer have the votes for a filibuster they have to try and scare the masses so that everyone runs and tells their congressman, oh no Obamacare for me. Read the offerings for yourself. The link above under Jackson Day has links to explanations about the health care reform bill. I managed to get a couple of photos of Clinton while I waxed nostalgic thinking of how good things were for this country both here and abroad when the Bill and Al show was in office. My retirement investments were doing well, I was probably online to retire after 30 years, of course once W took office and tanked our financial system, and borrowed from SS that doesn't look remotely possible anymore. Gas was just over a buck a gallon, I did a lot of traveling. Another thing of the past. Clinton spoke with that wonderful accent, and wry sense of humor that even 8 years of being hounded by the angry party could not manage to squelch. He reminded the audience that the Democrats are the can do party and that they "only hire us when this country is in a world of hurt". When Clinton/Gore was in office over 22 million jobs were created, during the booming W years 2.5 million were created. For the "spending party" Clinton/Gore managed to save money and have a surplus during their administration, but when the Republicans were completely in charge during the W admin. we have the biggest deficit and biggest government EVER. Don't let the Republicans ever claim to be for small government after that fiasco unless you gag right in front of them.

It's Official

Did not want to mention this anywhere until we were sure we could go but ...........on August 29th President Clinton will be in Nashville for a fundraiser for the Tennessee Democratic Organization (more specifically Jackson day as Jackson is considered the founder of the modern Dems by many). Anyway, Archie had heard about it and wanted to go, told me about it and of course I wanted to go unfortunately I had missed every opportunity to see him while he was President. Last night Archie got tickets for it. Wahoo!! so I am going to see Bill at the end of the month! An excuse to shop for a really nice dinner dress too!! Even better!

Unabashed Bill Clinton Fan

I love this guy. He NEVER disappoints me. Let's see you are a journalist in North Korea arrested by the psychos that run that government. Hmmmm decades of hard labor or a humanitarian visit from Slick Willie to spring you. Not a tough decision. GO BILL!! Still doing right by the people. If they were waiting from "W"'s help , I guess they would still have been waiting because we'd of had to declare war on someone. My mama loved Bill too and one of her most prized keepsakes was a lawn placard for Clinton/Gore 's second term in 1996. She left it in the yard long after the election and then kept it. After she died in April of 1997 and we were going through her things it was one of the things I "inherited". It sits in my computer room so I can see it everyday and be reminded of a better time for America both financially, and ecologically, one that was more in step with the rest of the world. A world where Bill called up government leaders in the Middle East who were squabbling and asked in that lovely Arkansas drawl,"Ya'll got milk? Well if you want to keep it then quit all this yacking. It's interfering with my $1.00 a gallon gasoline economy, and record returns at Wall Street." Ah those were the days.

Arkansas already

There are some really cool vistas from Hot Springs National Park observation tower. One of them is the "old town of Hot Springs" replete with the elegant hotels and spas that made the town famous originally. It's a far cry from the modern part of the city. Driving through the park is free but riding the elevator to the top of the 180 foot tower on the highest spot in town will set you back about 6 bucks. Well worth it if you want to take some great photos and if you are a history buff ( lots of historical information on level two) or a Bill Clinton fan as on level three there's memorabilia from his high school days in Hot Springs including yearbook photos , commencement program and other local items relating to him.