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."

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/8/23/124108.shtml

:lol Now that's some serious reaching. Newsmax is a truly pathetic. I feel sorry for people who depend on world-view shaping news from that palce.

Really digging deep to bash on Clinton lately huh?

It seems like the money will be used for helping impoverished people. What's wrong with that?