Somehow or other I got an invitation to cover the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Through a lucky set of circumstances and some very generous employers I was able to come up to New York City for this mega-soiree.

I saw former President Bill Clinton speak at Netroots Nation earlier this year and was very impressed with his recitation of the accomplishments of his organization. As much as we may bag on the leaders of the Democratic party for being servants of the corporate powers-that-be, it is also certainly true that Clinton and Jimmy Carter have both taken very energetic and community-minded approaches to being former presidents that contrast strongly with the approach taken by our recent Republican ex-presidents. Of course Clinton has found a way to meet in the middle, not only is he doing many good deeds through the CGI, but he is also matching the older Bush on the very well-paid corporate speaking circuit.

The best summary of CGI I've heard came from Clinton himself -- "In my thirty years in politics, almost all the discussions centered on two issues, while ignoring a third: 1) what are you going to do and 2) how are you going to pay for it. The third issue that was almost never discussed was HOW are you going to do it. Answering the HOW question. HOW can we attack problems in an efficient and effective way to make a difference in the lives of other people? The Clinton Global Initiative is in the HOW business."

Having said all that, I can't help but be a yokel at the glass slipper ball. This is a mind blowing confab. I'm not sure how many heads of state are here, but I know the leaders of the United States, Chile, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Australia, Colombia, the Ukraine, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola are here. Plus Matt Damon.

Therefore the security is very serious.

And naturally the press access is very limited. So I'm in a basement watching the opening speech on TV.

But that's cool, I've got a good view and can write my piece in real-time. But I can't help thinking that we're running up against the limits of the old model of journalism. I'd much rather read reports from participants in the sessions than from people like me who are on the wrong side of the barrier at the red carpet gala.

Now I'm hearing the CEO of Coca-Cola describe their efforts to ensure that women are more equitably represented as owners of Coca-Cola distributorships. Good stuff. But again I'm thinking about the plague of corn syrup and awful nutritional choices represented by the relentless international expansion of Coca-Cola.

Now I'm hearing the CEO of Wal-Mart talking about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. How about reducing their cannibalism of American small businesses. Hey there's Demi Moore in the crowd. What was I saying?

I'll be back with a post on President Obama's speech to the CGI.