Link is to a site passworded for no good reason... therfore article is quoted wholesale :)
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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/8364427.htm
$2,000 meal, but no utensils
Silverware banned to prevent clinking while president was speaking
JIM MORRILL
Staff Writer
It was a mouthwatering menu. Not that you'd expect less for $2,000 a plate.
Seered beef tenderloins with golden tomatoes on an herb-encrusted baguette. Grilled garlic chicken with smoked gouda on a honey wheat wrap. Fruits and gourmet olives and crudite. A gourmet luncheon with only one thing missing: something to eat it with.
The explanation was at the bottom of the menus distributed at President Bush's $1.5 million Charlotte fund-raiser Monday.
"At the request of the White House, silverware will not accompany the table settings," it said in discreetly fine print.
No silver. No plastic.
The lack of utensils might have been why many plates went virtually untouched.
The reason: So the tinkle of silver wouldn't disrupt the president's speech.
"They're just doing it so people can eat their meals prior to or after the president's speech," said spokesman Reed Dickens, who said it's standard procedure for fund-raisers. "It's just a logistical issue. Nothing more."
Apparently the White House doesn't worry about all diners.
Behind a rope on the side of the ballroom next to many paying guests, reporters scarfed down their own buffet. It came with silverware.
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And just a link to a good example of why I love Seattle :)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/168052_ridge07.html
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge found Seattleites in no mood yesterday to participate in his efforts to engage Americans in preparations for terrorist attacks.
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