2 • BENNETT BANNER - APRIL 4, 1997
OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION
Paquita
Herring
It's okay to use Lincoln's bedroom
as a money machine
"Campaign activities of any kind are prohibited in or from government
buildings. This means fund-raising events may not lake place in the
White House; also, no fund-raising phone calls or mail may emanate
from the White House, ” wrote Abner Mikva, former
congressman and former Clinton Wliite House
counsel in a memo to President Bill Clinton, Spring
1995.
At that time Clinton and his aides were busy
turning the White House into one of the largest
fund-raising/moneymaking machines ever. There
had been six coffees with famous donors on the premises and there
would be 92 more by election day. Also, plans were underway to turn
the Lincoln Bedroom into a door prize for those who donated a lot of
money to Clinton's campaign.
Many FOBs [Friends of Bills] and celebrities have paid for the
privilege of sleeping in Abraham Lincoln’s bed including actress,
singer, and director Barbara Striesand who donated $61,000; playwright
Neil Simon $31,500; and Dirk Ziff, co-chairman of Ziff Investments
and son of former publishing magnate William Ziff, who donated
$412,000.
The ethics committee says that President Clinton was out of line and
that the Lincoln Bedroom should be considered as being something
sacred. Clinton may have been wrong because he knew that no money
should be made from government buildings for campaign purposes, but
I must admit that the Clintons had a good idea.
If people are willing to give millions of dollars to the president of the
United States for campaign reasons, then certainly they should be
willing to give money to other causes for the same compensation. If we
could rent out a room in the White House for a donation to the UNCF or
a donation to the Cancer Awareness Fund then we may be able to take
care of some of our nations problems. .. .
Think about it, after all the President did raise close to $200
million.
The opinion expressed in this colutvn is that of >
the author and does not necessarily reflect
the opinion of the entire Bennett Banner staff.
Student Opinion Poll:
THE BE^ifNETT BAIWfER
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duced by and for students at Bennett Gollege. The newspaper
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Should the Lincoln bedroom be used
as a fund raiser?
Although some may consider it unethical, friendship, fame, or
fortune has been buying a select few a good night's sleep in the
Lincoln Bedroom.
' ;
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mm
/
TENNILE FRANCIS
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: ACCOUNTING
HOME STATE:
PENNSYLVANIA
The profits made from renting
Lincoln’s room could.be,u^ditOA
provide necessities for the needy.
It is unethical to use government
profit for one’s own personal
use.
TOIA WILLIAMS
CLASS: FRESHWOMEN
MAJOR: MASS
COMMUNICATION
HOME STATE:
WASHINGTON D.C.
Tfiez^is mfiing.WO.ngwJfJh,,
Lmcoln'sbedroohi being rented
out. The price should not „
surpass the price of an upgraded
hotel. The money should go
towards something that will help
the well being of people in the
United States.
RAGAYLE PELLUM
CLASS: FRESHWOMEN
MAJOR: BIOLOGY
HOME STATE: TEXAS
If the decision is made to
continue.tif rent outLiacoln’s a
bedroom, theatiMe moneyt made’
should be used for somethirtg -,
like the nation^ debf^ morfi. •
money for elderly from social
security, or homelessness.
k'■ ^ . ,'.4
• vr.r
I. e. c.. (
TAMMY DINES
CLASS: JUNIOR
MAJOR: CHEMISTRY
HOME STATE: NORTH
CAROLINA
Raising money through the
White House to pay for a
campaign is unethical. It is
time to gear our concerns
toward other problems facing
our country.
TAMERA CRENSHAW
CLASS: FRESHWOMEN
MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY
HOME STATE:
MASSACHUSETTS
If the government can make
money from Lincoln’s bedroom,
they should. This money should
not be used for the president
himself. It should go to more
global needs, such as medicare
or homeless issues.
..’ I,'
■ \ •
MICHELLE GAILLL\RD
CLASS: SENIOR
MAJOR: EDUCATION
HOME STATE:
MASSACHUSETTS
If they decide 'tcr continue renting
Lincoln’s room, the money needs
to be used for the problems that
are going on in Washington D.C.
Money made needs to be used to
help people get off the streets.
Clinton needs to revaluate his
priorities.