To: 49thMIMOMander who wrote (697923 ) 8/24/2005 3:37:31 AM From: paret Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 769667 Clinton Charging $15,000 for Poverty Conference .................................................. NewsMax ^ | Aug. 23, 2005 | Carl Limbacher If you want to attend ex-President Clinton's upcoming conference on solving global poverty, you better not be poor yourself. The web site for the so-called "Clinton Global Initiative" - set for Sept. 15-17 in Manhattan - is hawking tickets for $15,000 a-piece. For that princely sum, "participants will play a role in deciding on the programs that the Initiative will fund throughout the year." "This nonpartisan conference will bring together a diverse and select group of current and former heads of state, business leaders, noteworthy academicians, and key NGO representatives to participate in a series of dynamic interactive workshops," the web site claims. "The group will strategize on the best methods to reduce poverty; use religion as a force for reconciliation and conflict resolution; implement new business strategies and technologies to combat climate change; and strengthen governance." The ex-president himself - who used to say he was obsessed with getting Osama bin Laden - says he's found a new obsession. "In my life now, I am obsessed with only two things," he now insists. "I don't want to anybody die before their time and I don't want to see good people spend their energies without making a difference." Attendance at the CGI is supposedly by invitation only. But for those willing to pony up the $15 large, Mr. Clinton is apparently willing to make an exception. The CGI web site notes: "If you have not received an invitation and would like to see if you are eligible to attend, please complete this form and a representative of the event will contact you."