TUESDAY 03 NOVEMER 2009 • PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE LADY TAVERNERS EVENING
On Friday 30 October I was a privileged guest at a charity gala dinner at the Hilton Park Lane, which raised over £200,000 for the Lady Taverners, a vital and dedicated fundraising arm of sports and disability cricket charity The Lord's Taverners. I and Brasserie Blanc are both involved with the Lord’s Taverners, and as part of our Van Blanc* campaign, we have just delivered a brand new mini bus for kids affected by all sorts of conditions, disabilities and often terminal diseases.
The guest of honour was Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States of America. He delivered a great speech about his mainstream activities. Last year his foundation raised 70 billion dollars helping the most needy in the third world, the sick, the disadvantaged and the poor – and God knows there are lots of them, so his work is worthy: a matter of life and death for many.
Mr Clinton spoke well, passionately, stirringly, captivating his audience (ladies, mainly, tasted, enthused, and savoured each and every word). Then, naturellement, everyone rose to give him a rousing and tumultuous applause.
One question begs to be asked: how will history remember President Clinton?
- As a good politician and president?
- As a selfless, caring man who, like Bill Gates, used his status to do good and give back both hope and dignity to millions?
- As the president who may not have been completely truthful about aspects of his private life?
Can the greatness of someone be undermined by a wrongdoing? History, I am sure, will tell us one day.
Did the petits fours and chocolats provide some of the answer when they arrived adorned with a photo of Mr President? Some of the ladies loved it, but not all!
* For more information on the Van Blanc appeal, go to the Brasserie Blanc website where you can read the story of a Van Blanc: http://www.brasserieblanc.com/news/?cat=3