("Quid coniuratio est?")
ROYAL GALA FOR CLINTONS: POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
So much money, lavishly displayed, awes the lesser classes. The King must be mighty to throw around riches in such a way. Selfless "corporate citizens" demand not so much as a logo on display in return for their generosity. But why not, say, a tasteful Golden Arches discretely placed at the inauguration?
All lesser citizens of the realm view with envy the happiness and nirvana evident on the face of Lady Hillary, as she (the lucky devil) gets to sit through the lengthy pre-inaugural church service. Later, it's a flurry of festivities, with Lord and Lady Clinton out partying until quite late. Such wonderful times are not granted to most, and Bill and Hillary act in a convincing manner, implying that they are enjoying it all.
In the previous issue of Conspiracy Nation was reported allegations that "During the 1996 presidential campaign, the Bronfman family and their Seagrams liquor empire were the largest contributors to both the Republican and Democratic National Committees." An article in the Feb. 3, 1997 "New Republic" shows how other "corporate citizens," for some reason, are happy to give away money. In case some of them "backed the wrong horse" in the presidential race, they can make amends by funding the inaugural display. The article in "New Republic" even suggests that the inaugural venue subjects contributors to less scrutiny than pre-election contributions. "If anything, today's inaugurals actually exceed campaigns in the corruption to which they give rise. During a presidential campaign, the expectation that a donation will bring a desired policy outcome is more uncertain. After all, the favored candidate may not even win. But inaugural contributions are certain to go to someone whose gratitude will matter. And they also allow corporations that have backed a president's opponent a last chance to make amends, as prominent GOP supporter Dwayne Andreas of Archer Daniels Midland did when he donated $100,000 to Bill Clinton's inaugural in 1993."
Wasn't that nice of Dwayne Andreas to donate that $100,000? Isn't it nice of Archer Daniels Midland to financially support the Jim Lehrer Newshour on PBS? Maybe, since they are so generous, they will even send me some money!
Wasn't that gracious of the Clintons to accept that $100,000 from Dwayne Andreas? I could also accept $100,000 from Dwayne Andreas, since I also am gracious. But come to think of it, I would have an ethical problem accepting the money. (Not meant to suggest that Conspiracy Nation is more ethical than U.S. President Bill Clinton.)
Apparently not much information is available at this point on corporate largesse and the 1997 inaugural. For the 1993 inaugural, other generous contributors were Federal Express ($100,000), Salomon Brothers ($50,000), AFL-CIO ($200,000). U.S. Air donated $200,000 worth of free plane tickets. Motorola made $1.5 million in cell phones, pagers, and two-way radios available. Korbel champagne gave $50,000 worth of "the bubbly." Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors offered 500 cars. Anheuser-Busch provided free beer.
But shouldn't the stockholders be furious that so much money is being thrown away like this?
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those
of Conspiracy Nation, nor of its Editor in Chief.
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