Presidential Visit

[pelligrini]

To the group, What's the highest public official you've interacted with--not saw from a distance at a rally?

I've never talked politics or issues with any, but I had a few discussions with a Senator. Our firm was building some Condos right next to her property.

I did help get a couple drunken judges (on seperate occaisions) out to their cars when I working at a high end restaurant years ago.

[radhak]

Mine was a result of unplanned good timing. In what turned out to be a cover story, the scheduled graduation speaker was a prominent politician. When we arrived at graduation, they told us the politician was just the "warm up" and the POTUS was the main speaker. Since we were called by name and awarded our diplomas individually, he shook our hands.

I don't suppose the POTUS speaks at graduation ceremonies anymore, but back in the day, he did from time to time.

So don't leave us hanging - tell us which POTUS was this?

[Mr__Bill]

I've met two Senators, Lowell Weicker and Chris Dodd. Joe Lieberman before he bacame a Senator and several congressmen. Paul Newman, Katharine Hepburn and Andrew LLoyd Webber. I met Mark Harmon when he was appearing in a musical, yes he does sing. At the 95 Special Olympics in New Haven CT we were sitting in front of the section where President Clinton and his party were seated. Towards the end of the day my son and I walked up and my son asked the President if he could have one of the flowers. There was a huge bouquet and the President waved his hand and said "Sure take all you want" Mike took only one and others behind us took the rest of them. I said thank you but I don't think he would remember... And, as a kid at a Minnesota Twins Game I got to shake Harmon Killebrew's hand after a game.

As to the original topic. Yes, I think respect for the office is lacking in many areas, from the President down to the Patrolman on the street it is after all who and what they represent that deserves the respect along with them as a person. I have to think that with many it starts at home with a lack of respect of their parents.

Bill
on the left coast

[Tom Slick]

I saw Governor GW and Laura Bush when his election train stopped in my town in 2000. The highest ranking person I've met was the Secretary of the Air Force, James G. Roche, no real interaction with him though.

[atgcpaul]

Just thought of someone else with a higher rank. He's a political appointee of President Obama so I think it counts. I've met Dr Francis Collins, the head of the NIH, several times.

[twistsol]

To the group, What's the highest public official you've interacted with--not saw from a distance at a rally?
Paul

2008 I was at a fundraiser / hog roast and got to sit and chat with Congressman John Kline for about half an hour.

1996 Had a brief chat with Senator Paul Wellstone while waiting for a parade to start in Marshall MN. Probably one of the most genuine people, let alone politicians I've ever met.

highest ranking and most bizarre. Spring of 1997 my daughter who was four at the time had a fifteen minute appointment with Bob Dole. When she was three she decided he'd make a good president and had us help her call to get a yard sign and bumper stickers etc. My college roommate's wife's friend's sister was a lobbyist and told the story at a party in DC. it got back to Bob Dole and she was invited to meet him. We happened to be going to DC in a few weeks so we made the appointment and met him, his staff, and his dog Bailey.

[natausch]

I've been lucky enough to shake the hands of former Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush Sr, all through work.

With Clinton I was able to have a very brief (30 seconds) conversation, his response to the question I asked about why Americans as a whole seem opposed to collective charitable giving was very impressive.

With Carter it a few minute conversation about the weather and food at the international destination, couple laughs about traffic and shuttle busses and limo drivers. He said he'd try to get one of the famous grill in the park sausages on his way to the airport, but pretty sure he was just being polite to an early 20s admirer.

[dbhost]

To the group, What's the highest public official you've interacted with--not
saw from a distance at a rally?

For me, it was Mike Castle of Delaware when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I got
an award for participating in Math League and he gave a speech, handed out
the awards, and shook my hand.

In recent history, it's the Mayor of our town. His family has been in the
town for 100years and he still runs the family's supply store--mostly work
boots and work clothes. He fitted me for my Red Wing boots.

Paul

Back when I was in college, I worked as a pump jockey / service station mechanic (remember those?) in Tucson. At that job, I met John McCain when him and his wife came in for gas. I think he was a state Senator at that point... Actually I met a lot of "famous" people there. Gary Coleman, William Shatner, Estelle Getty among them. The station I worked at was close to the Tucson foothills where the multi million dollar homes were. I know I looked funny driving my Baja Bug to work in that part of town! (young kid, LOUD car, backpack full of college textbooks, and a greasy work uniform woo hoo! Just what everyone wants in their neighborhood flooded with Bentleys and Benzes...

Sorry too fast on the submit button...

I have also met during activities for my various employers, Presidents Clinton when he was on a visit to Houston, and Bush Jr. when he was Governor of Texas. Say what you will about either of them. They are both at least in my brief encounters with them, nice guys... At least on the surface...

[woodturner]

So don't leave us hanging - tell us which POTUS was this?

It was the elder Bush, early in his first term.

This thread got me thinking about other officials I have met. A number of local and state politicians.

Through a grass roots lobbying effort with a professional organization, met with my congressional representatives. Very impressed by Santorum and Hart - they met with me personally for nearly half an hour each.

"Snarlin' Arlen" would not meet with me, so I met with his aid. His aid insisted he was not in the office - about that time he walked by, behind the back of the aid. The lobbyist who arranged these meetings for us said that he is horrible to work for and his staff avoid him as much as possible.

In late 1989, I was hired to build a display piece for the anniversary of a prominent church in the Washington DC area. I delivered and installed the piece in time for the anniversary in 1990. A few years later, we decided to attend church there to see how the piece was holding up. What I hadn't realized is that Clinton attended that church (when he went to church). Apparently word got out and EVERYBODY wanted to be there. First and only time I have been seen people turned away from church because they were "full".

Paul O'Neill is a member of my church, but I rarely see him there :-)

[cabinetman]

Some years ago, during the Clinton years, I was hired to build an elaborate display piece for the anniversary of a prominent church in the Washington DC area. I delivered and installed the piece and was invited to the ceremony.

That sounds interesting and worthy of posting a picture.

.

[pelligrini]

I was thinking the same as cabinetman, sounds pretty neat.

Besides, I'd much more like talking about woodworking projects than politicos we've met.

[woodturner]

Besides, I'd much more like talking about woodworking projects than politicos we've met.

Me too

I'll have to dig around to find the poster of the finished piece - I made that piece over 20 years ago. The piece was built for an artist that makes 3D "collages". It was essentially a very large picture frame with plinth blocks on the sides and top. It had to be light-weight, so I built it from 1/8" thick pieces of honduras mahogany, making a sort of "shell" that formed the sides. The front shell attached to the back plate with screws from behind. The support framework for the glass was attached to the back plate.

The artist filled in the center of the frame with his collage and also added artwork to the frame itself. I'll see if I can find the photos I took of the piece before the artist added the "art".

[cabinetman]

Some years ago, during the Clinton years, I was hired to build an elaborate display piece for the anniversary of a prominent church in the Washington DC area. I delivered and installed the piece and was invited to the ceremony. What I hadn't realized is that Clinton attended that church (when he went to church).

I'll have to dig around to find the poster of the finished piece - I made that piece over 20 years ago.

If you made the piece over 20 years ago, that preceded the start of the Clinton administration which was 18 years ago. Maybe you just made a math error. But, in any case, since you have pictures, they will be interesting to see. Sounds like a nice piece.

.

[cabinetman]

I'll see if I can find the photos I took of the piece before the artist added the "art".

Hope you're having luck in finding the pictures.

I turn shorter goblets dry as well, though it should work to turn them green.

While you're looking, over a year ago, you must have forgotten to post pictures of the goblets you said to have turned. Seeing them would be nice too.

As the saying goes...no pics...didn't happen.

.

[Black wallnut]

Okay knock off the off topic posturing.