There was a brief snippet on BBC the other day, in which Bill Clinton appeared at the armory in New York City where relatives of the missing people from the World Trade Center were looking for their loved ones, or at least word of whether they were lost. Clinton was at his absolute best. He comforted people, and clearly meant it. Asked what he’d do if he was president, he said forcefully, “I’m not the president,” and made clear that his mission was one of love and comfort, not policy.
The U.S. government and the state and city of New York should put Bill Clinton to work — in a mission to help rebuild the city, the financial district and, most important, the lives of survivors. It would be an ideal role for a relatively young and obviously still-vigorous ex-president.
Former presidents carve out roles for themselves. Jimmy Carter is the greatest in that sense. Clinton is still looking for a role in his new life.
I can think of a hundred practical reasons why Clinton would reject this notion. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he and other former presidents will be doing their utmost in unofficial ways. But I can think of one reason to do it that may override the doubts. He — and the other ex-presidents — could be of enormous help in a time of real need.
I called the United Airlines reservations line this morning, checking in to see how it looked for my rebooked flight back to the United States. The exhaustion in the voice of the woman at the other end was evident.
So was her utter grief and anguish. Her company’s planes were used as weapons to help kill thousands of human beings. She has lost colleagues. The future of her company may be in doubt.
I can be as impatient as anyone when it comes to customer service. Not now.
Please remember: If you’re rebooking delayed travel or trying to start a new trip, that you’re talking with people who are hurting, deeply.
I’m at Johannesburg’s international airport, waiting for a flight to Frankfurt. The airline told me to check in early. Good advice — long, long lines and rigorous security.
People in line are taking it with good grace. I wonder how long that will last. Air travelers are a demanding lot, especially the executive crowd that fills business class.
I haven’t seen anyone look truly happy in days, except some small children who are too young to understand why the rest of us are so grim. One very young boy ran through the terminal this afternoon. He was shrieking with evident joy. Maybe he was just delighted to be running on his little legs through this big new space. What kind of world will he inherit?