Whatever reconsiderations BuzzFlash or our readers may have about the triangulating, globalization, welfare cutting policies of the former head of the DLC, we still consider Bill the Big Dog.

He was a Democrat who knew how to fight for his territory, and whatever his "centrist" shortcomings, America was a better place for his 8 years of service (and let's not forget Al Gore). He left our nation in a fiscally sound position and at peace. It took the GOP Bush/Cheney goon squad just a short time to trash the country -- and the world. With Bill Clinton as president, we could push for more progress and we knew that our Constitution was protected, instead of having to wake each morning to a new horror and travesty, as incompetent, arrogant fools trash our nation's freedom and put our national security increasingly at risk.

And Clinton, who we met personally on a few occasions, was as charismatic and personable as they come. He wanted you to like him, SO much. You just couldn't help it.

But enough of the BuzzFlash commentary, Clinton's new book (released on September 4th) has nothing to do with any of this.

Bill Clinton's "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World" is a Jimmy Carteresque exhortation for all of us to follow the famous Margaret Mead quotation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

More precisely, it is about how one person -- each of us -- can take actions that make the world a better place by the action of our own hands.

One online reviewer writes:

"Even conservatives will like this book. It's interesting, inspiring, clearly written, not at all political and, believe it or not, only a tad self-centered. Filled with dozens, maybe hundreds, of specific examples of charitable individuals and successful grassroots programs, it argues -- in fact, proves -- that you don't have to be a big shot to make the world a better place. Clinton clearly believes in what he writes; the book is passionate and powerful on topics that, in our hands, would be detached and dull.

Besides the subject matter, what I liked best about the book is its organization. Written so you don't have to read it all at once, it breaks down philanthropy into six different categories, and gives each its own chapter. Those are:
* Giving time
* Giving things
* Giving skills
* Giving "gifts of reconciliation and new beginnings" (citing everything from the efforts of Nelson Mandela to PeacePlayers International, a group that sets up basketball leagues in the Middle East)
* Giving gifts that keep on giving (such as the work of Heifer International, which gives millions of poor farmers free cows -- as long as they agree to donate one its first offspring to someone else)
* Giving to good ideas

Clinton also cites examples of successful charitable programs that are easy to use as model strategies for your own ideas, how businesses can make money out of acting in the public interest, and what roles governments (not just Washington, but cities and states) can play."

Yes, it's an easy read and a bit overly effusive at times, but it's got the right spirit.

Who can argue with Clinton's premise or his or Jimmy Carter's examples of their lives after their presidencies?