Just a Moment of Zen Too Late: Gen Clark in NYC 09/19/07
Submitted by Reg NYC on September 19, 2007 - 8:57pm.
The Daily Show | Firsthand Accounts | Wesley Clark
Just a Moment of Zen Too Late
My friend and I arrived at The Daily Show studios at about 4:00. After navigating which part of which line we were supposed to be in, waiting, going through metal detectors, giving up my pocket knife, being packed tightly into a holding cell and waiting some more, we were filed into the taping room. The room is bigger, but the desk is smaller than you'd think. At about 6:00 they brought out the warmup guy. The Daily Show doesn't have canned laughter. So, his job is to get us laughing and cheering. Then Jon Stewart came out (also smaller than you'd think) and answered a few questions about his Emmy, what he would do when him contract was up, hosting the Oscars. His answers were very quick and of course very funny.
A little before 6:30, the show began. I don't think I can tell you much about the show without express written consent. Larry Wilmore's segment about O.J. was too funny for words.
Finally, we got to see Gen. Clark. I was his usual charming self. Jon Stewart clearly has much respect for the General. He got a very good reaction from the crowd. The people around me, some of whom didn't even know who he was, were all very impressed with what he had to say.
I was told by the General's assistant, Luther, that I could make it to Barnes and Noble from The Daily Show in time for the reading, but I was impatient. We had to wait through problems with the uplink to The Colbert Report hand over, the Moment of Zen and the intro to the International Edition of the show before we were let out. I climbed over seats, grabbed my pocket knife and bolted out the door.
Out on the street there were no cabs. We started walking in the direction of Barnes And Noble. I called Luther, and he said we could make it. We gave up on the cab and walked on. Finally I started running. I ended up walk/running all the way from 51st and 11th to 66th and Broadway.
Finally, I arrived at the signing. I got in line to get into the glassed-in area where the signing was. About five or six people before I was to get in, the room was full. I ended up spending General Clark's speech peering over a bookshelf by standing on a shelf and holding on, listening to his muffled voice though the glass.
Luther came out with my signed books (because I won a thing), but I went into the signing line anyway. I wanted to at least say hello. When I got up to General Clark, he shook my hand. I told him what happened. He said "Awe," and thanked me for going to The Daily Show. I waited around, and Luther offered to take my picture with the General at the end. Gen. Clark put his arm around me and said nice things about me.
Then he said, "You're not going to leave me, are you?" I said "No, Sir."
He signed my book, "For Reg, who always wins."
or half a hug (arm around you kinda thing, lol). And Ruth and Wes are right on the money - you're winner!
;-)
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
Everything makes me cry lately. What a sweet thing to write in your/his book.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
"You're not going to leave me, are you?"
Grabbing the kleenex again....getting to be a habit
sniff
Thanks so very much Reg. Was hoping you'd chime in before the show. 30 minutes to go
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
I ,too, was struck by his asking if you were
going to leave him. I just hadn't thought
about him being worried people would desert him.
Makes me feel a little sad.
and I think he knew some of the attacks that have been popping up again on the blogs would be coming. He knows Hillary is not popular in the blogsphere. He's a realist.
I'm glad he's been appearing in places where some of us can be there. I think it may mean just as much to him, maybe even more now, to see that so many haven't abandoned him.
I doubt he'll ever show up near enough to some of us for us to see him again, but most of us would be there if he did I think.
Thanks for the report Reg.
y'know, I don't get to see this show until tomorrow evening??? so this meant a whole lot!
(mutters to self...leave the General? heck no...only afraid I'm going to have to watch some of what goes on with my hands over my eyes *sniff*)
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
Do ya mean tonight's broadcast that you'll see was taped yesterday? If that's the case I prolly won't see it 'til tomorrow either. Hmmmm. Wonderin'.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
I'm getting the Greenspan interview from last night right now Jen. My guide for 11:00 pm pacific says Greenspan also, so unless it's wrong I won't see Wes-guest until tomorrow...
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
Out of my chair and on my knees...
Bless you Ruth, you are the video goddess!
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
GENERAL, former Ranger, Tank battalion commander, SACEUR, and future Secretary of State, CUTE??????
Reality does bite, but Vice President Clark or Secretary of State Clark has a nice ring to it.
Adorable even. :p
"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark
Now you could call me, a former Spec. 3 cute, but not a former GENERAL. People have been beheaded for less.
Reality does bite, but Vice President Clark or Secretary of State Clark has a nice ring to it.
It's a woman thing when it comes to uniforms and we call them cute, handsome, knight in shining armor etc. etc. ;-).
Ruth to the rescue ;)
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
Oh, Ruth. You're just too too much!! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
....have it to tonight.
Wes was great. Relaxed, happy....and funny :)
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
I got Greenspan, too, so Ruth is my savior. Thanks a million, Ruth.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
down the state from you Syb.
"Our public servants work for us - we don't work for them. We have an obligation, as citizens of this country, to always remember that - and to never let them forget it." - DeadMessengers
That run was really something! You ARE a winner!!!
About to watch now.
Must have been the "you're not leaving me" comment that did it!
What is with all this blubbering! hrmm?!! Did anyone blubber like this when they cancelled the TV show Alice?!! Or when Bambi's mom died?!!.. wait.. no bad example.. or or.. hrmm.
Man.. now I'm thinking about Bambi's mom.. ehh.. ummm.. wwaaaahhhaaaa :(
I need a minute.. brb to toughen you guys up :(
"Bambi" and "Old Yeller" should carry an "R" rating. I'm not sure at 60 I've yet recovered from seein them as a kid.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Don't settle for less.
Make America All It Can Be!
That's so sweet...I was wondering where you were tonight....
That's a great story.
"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark
It must've gone long.
It didn't make sense without some things. They cut Gen. Clark saying, "It's not about me." But then they included Jon's response, which didn't make sense. They also left out the part where he said that he didn't have a book out on '04 when he ran. The includeed the set up to that, but it doesn't make sense without the point.
He also explained why we don't have enough troops to stabilize Iraq by talking about the number of police officers in New York.
Jon also said that the might have to do with a run for VP, about which I was a lone, enthusiasic clapper.
That's probably becuz by end of interview the audience knew the guest really should be Mr. President.
yathink?
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
I was confused by the opening.
People want leadership......and in the absence of leadership, they will listen to anyone who walks up to the microphone.
Lewis Rothschild, in "American President"
They also didn't include the story he told about getting wounded in Vietnam.
It was a great story, and Jon really responded to it. I'm surprised they cut it.
Sounds like the General is still the
same lovable guy we all remember from
the campaign trail in 2004.. :)
Sigh... Wish he was backing the
candidate I've decided to go with.... :(
And a real trooper! Great report. I want to hug you, too. :D