Tonight’s episode of “Buzz’s Bedtime Stories” is entitled “Hillary’s Sunglasses.” We’re just scratching the surface! Put on your comfy PJs, grab a toddy, and listen. 

On a Clinton official state visit to Mexico City, we were finally done with the events and were heading back to DC. Everybody was excited to get home. Our itinerary was to move from the hotel to the airport on Marine One and then onto Air Force One for the flight home. I was with the president and First Lady on Marine One, the lead helicopter in a formation that included staff and press. After we lifted off and were halfway to the airport, Hillary suddenly blurted out, “Turn around! Put this back on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo!” The Secret Service guys and I exchanged side glances and rolled eyes. I hopped to, of course. I chatted with the pilots and the Secret Service. It wasn’t safe to turn around. 

Marine One was almost to the join-up point with AF One at the airport.  AF-1 was ready to go, and the press plane was as well. These trips were logistical challenges. Back at the hotel landing zone, the Secret Service, the White House Communications Agency, and administration staff were pulling down communications lines, lifting barricades, and driving off in vehicles. The required support for even a helicopter flight was highly involved and extensive, and there was no landing zone security left. The secure launch site no longer existed.

At this point, it wasn’t a good idea to turn around. I approached her, “Ma’am, we can’t do that. We can’t safely do that.” Hillary responded, “I need my sunglasses, god****it! We need to go back!”

Then one of the onboard Secret Service agents chimed in, “Yes, ma’am, the milaide is correct. That wouldn’t be wise.” I suggested that I radio back, ask the staffers to locate the sunglasses, and ask one of the White House valets to bring them home on their flight. She calmed down and acquiesced, but not without smoldering disdain in her eyes. Security be damned, those were her sunglasses! Bill just shrugged and went back to reading his book. The valets and staffers still at the hotel went to work and located the sunglasses in the Clintons’ hotel room. They were safely returned to Hillary the next day. 

I’ve been shot at in combat by guys who wanted to kill me. I think at that moment, she did too. Trips without Hillary were akin to Animal House, a frat party. Trips with her always had a Nazi-like edge. Hard to tell which was worse. I preferred the frat parties.

That was Hillary Clinton. And, I have no doubt, it still is.