So with a few days between gigs, I decided to see what I could accomplish as a freelancer at the Clinton Global Initiative. On the one hand there are countless small and large organizations doing inspiring things around the world. Give FPOTUS Bill Clinton credit for shining some light on the world of philanthropy and making doing good "cool".
On the other hand it's been a puzzling place to do journalism. Questions from reporters at panels are forbidden, media has to be "escorted" at all times, there are long waiting lists to attend any of the sessions so you can hear about all that good work.
One place that is not off limits is the bar at the Sheraton. While you won't meet all the celebrities here or get to meet FPOTUS Bill, you do encounter people who are promoting green technology, helping women in Africa, developing Northern Ireland, and working on many other good projects.
The CGI seems to view the media as a necessary evil, let them in to get their Obama sound bite, their photo op of Matt Damon with Bill Clinton, then round them up and get them away from the people they are here to cover. It's too bad with so many compelling stories and so many journalists, the goal seems to be to keep us apart.
