Clinton Speaks to Packed G.R. Crowd

Analysis:

This story posted on WOOD Radio’s website has significantly different content than the Grand Rapids Press story. This story is brief but does mention Clinton’s comments about wars from the 20th Century. Clinton doesn’t mention any of the wars that he presided over as President – Somalia, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, and Iraq. The article also says that “The former President also highlighted the need for more humanitarian efforts at home and abroad to help build partnerships to make the world a more secure place.” Unfortunately the WOOD Radio reporter doesn’t bother to ask what sorts of humanitarian efforts Clinton engaged in while President, not what the Democratic Party is doing now to fulfill that need.

The story also mentions that Clinton visited the grave site of former President Ford and that “Before the black-tie event, about 10 people stood outside the entrance — protesting Clinton for his polices on Iraq and other military actions during his term in office.” The story does not mention if this protest was organized by a particular group or specific reasons why they were protesting.

Story:

Former President Clinton had several things on his mind but ultimately the could be summed up as the 21st century will be better than the 20th.

He stated that millions died during the two World Wars, the Holocaust, the Khmer Rouge and other wars and political atrocities — Clinton says it would take a lot of violence this century to even come close, but the change is that now people feel the war has come to them… that they could be the victim, totally unlike before.

The former President also highlighted the need for more humanitarian efforts at home and abroad to help build partnerships to make the world a more secure place.

Clinton gave the keynote for the 20th annual dinner of The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, Monday night.

Before heading in for the speech, Mr. Clinton took time to place red roses at the gravesite of former President Ford, just across the river from DeVos Place.

About 2,100 attendend the annual dinner.

Before the black-tie event, about 10 people stood outside the entrance — protesting Clinton for his polices on Iraq and other military actions during his term in office.