Clinton given facts of post-presidential life

Since he is in his last several months in office, the WhiteHouse staff chose on Friday to honour Clinton’s 54th birthday with a belated party reminding him of what lies ahead when he no longer rides in a police-guarded motorcade, flies aboard Air Force One or eats at the White House mess room.

The merriment took place on the White House South Lawnoutside the Oval Office with Jimmy Buffett providing musical entertainment, including his signature song, "Margaritaville."

White House Chief of Staff John Podesta told Clinton thatsince he could think of nothing else to give the President he decided to give him the "gift of knowledge."

With charts and a pointer, he explained to the Presidentabout red lights.

"Red means stop, yellow means slow down, green means go –except when driving in New York, yellow actually means hit the gas," Podesta told the amused President.

Since Clinton as ex-President will no longer have the dailynewspapers clipped with major articles highlighted for him, Podesta plunked down a thick stack of newspapers for Clinton to get the idea of civilian news reading.

Then there was the chart of the Chinese takeout menuexplaining to Clinton how to order, and another chart of McDonald’s nutrition guidelines.

Podesta dutifully pointed out that a nine-piece order ofChicken McNuggets and a large order of fries has twice the fat content as two Big Macs.

The last was a picture of an airline boarding pass. "Youactually need one of these to get on the airplane," Podesta told him.

And the Chief of staff pointed to the time listed and toldthe chronically tardy President: "You see this time? You actually need to be there by this time."

Clinton actually turned 54 on Aug. 19. The party was closedto the press, but Clinton aides provided details.