As I mentioned last week, this past Saturday afternoon we headed over to the local independent bookstore and caught the Madeleine Albright book signing. Apparently this was a surprise appearance, the bookstore only had about a week's notice... from what I gather Albright was in town for some private political function (given the upcoming election, I'm guessing a fundraiser) and apparently it was her idea to stop by the bookstore.
It was a standing room only crowd. Seats quickly filled up as we were called by our signing numbers. As mentioned, we bought the book the prior weekend and received #48... but nearly 200 books were sold and the store guess-timated they had another hundred people in attendance. A couple of local television stations were also there... despite recording the evening/late news, we never did see the coverage... given that the store is not that big, it was hard to stay out of camera range.
The bookstore employee kept on erroneously referring to her as "Senator" Albright... but after some grumbling from the crowd, she said perhaps it was just wishful thinking... then called her "President" Albright to enthusiastic applause. Though a very nice thought, politically impossible for the Czech-born Albright.
In a nice move, Albright didn't spend much time reading from her book (The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs)... instead just talked about the major points of the book before taking nearly a dozen questions from the audience. Albright eloquently and effortlessly gave us her opinions on all the hot spots... Iraq, Iran, Israel, North Korea... and, of course, Washington DC. (On a side note, Albright has the somewhat dubious distinction of being the highest ranking U.S. official ever to meet face-to-face with North Korea's Kim Jong Il.)
She said it was nice to get out of DC... calling the current climate there "toxic"... and while her blood clearing runs "blue"... she was still clearly frustrated by the partisanship ... saying Democrats and Republicans don't (or can't!) even talk to each other these days. Likewise, there was certainly a bit of anger in her voice that the mere questioning of policy is deemed "unpatriotic."
Albright mentioned she has only been back to the White House twice in the past 6 years and neither of those "appearances" approached anthing near a dialogue/exchange of ideas. When the current administration took office, Albright notes they took an A.B.C. approach... Anything But Clinton. So get out your grain of salt when you hear the Bush White House say that the prior administration didn't provide any guidance (that's my editorial, but I'm am guessing that is what Ms. Albright was saying between the lines).
Our favorite line from Albright came during the first question asked from the audience... asked what the United States can do to repair our image in the world's eyes... Albright said (and I am paraphrasing)... Well, the answer is quite simple... but it's going to take about two years.
UPDATE: Scott reminded me in the comments about what I said to her when I had my book signed... well, there is a good reason I forgot... the extent of it was... umm, how should I put it... "Hi" and "Thank You." It was kind of a pretty quick, assembly line-ish set-up as Albright looked up at you after she signed your book... and the next book was already being swapped under her... so really not much time for chat. Though if I had my mental act together, I was going to ask her who she thought would be the right person for the Presidency in 2008... though being the diplomat she is, I doubt I would have got an answer anyhow.
Albright did close by reading a paragraph from her book... it was quite good and surely shows what an wonderful (but sadly, currently under-used) asset she is to our country. I encourage you to read it (after the jump)...
tags: madeleine albright
Ours is a country of abundent resources, momentous accomplishments, and unique capabilities. We have a responsibility to lead, be as we fulfill that obligation, we should bear in mindthe distinction pointed out by John Adams. Liberty, at least in the sense of free will, is God's gift, not ours; it is also morally neutral. It may be used for any purpose, whether good or ill.
Democracy, by contrast, is a human creation; its purpose is to see that liberty is directed into channels that respect the rights of all. As the world's most powerful democracy, America should help others who desire help to establish and strengthen free institutions.
But, in so doing, we should remember that promoting democracy is a policy, not a mission, and policies must be tested on the hard ground of diplomacy, practical politics, and respect for international norms.
Our cause will not be helped if we are so sure of our rightness that we forget our propensity, as humans, to make mistakes. Though America may be exceptional, we cannot demand that exceptions be made for us. We are not above the law; nor do we have a divine calling to spread democracy any more than we have a national mission to spread Christianity. We have, in short, the right to ask -- but never to insist or blithely assume -- that God bless America.
So I'm curious. What did you say to her this time?
Posted by: Scott-O-Rama | Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 06:08 PM