Columnist John Katsilometes: A revealing card from the Clintons

Monday, Dec. 18, 2000 | 10:33 a.m.

John Katsilometes is the Sun features editor. His column appears Mondays. Reach him at kats@lasvegassun.com or 259-2327.

We here at the S.S. Accent receive gads of Christmas cards. There's a Caesars Palace card and a Twentieth Century Fox card and a card from the good folks at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Bob and Vera Goulet -- donned in imposing midnight black -- have sent us a card. So, for some reason, have Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black (joyously photographed with their three dogs). We even received a hearty Feliz Navidad from AeroMexico and a lily-white card from Ralph Lauren.

Tucked in a stack of mail last week was what appeared to be a nondescript card depicting a traditionally decorated living room. But near the bottom were the words: "The Yellow Oval Room, First Family Residence, The White House 2000."

Well, ho, ho, ho.

I flipped it open and there were the signatures of Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton -- who, spookily, have nearly identical handwriting. Their message, probably penned by a minimum-wage employee in a cubical at the American Greetings headquarters, was in the peace-on-Earth vein.

The little painting on the front is a watercolor by Ray Ellis, who the card reminds is (American, 1921- ). Fortunate presidential Christmas-card recipients can read much into Ellis' seemingly innocuous work.

The weather outside is frightful. We can see through two large windows looking out at the Washington Monument that it is snowing. Yet the first family is not inside, not together even for a group pose for its holiday greeting card. Where are the Clintons? Out caroling? In a snowball fight on the front lawn? At a family counseling session? Comforting the Gores?

Two couches and a few chairs fill the room, but there is no discernible logic to their haphazard placement. One chair is near a window, alone. Two others sit with their backs to the tree. It seems at first glance a large party has just taken place, but the couches are undisturbed and the pillows are still neatly in place.

The room looks to be a facade, as if the Clintons are saying, "Yes, we had an intimate party with a few friends tonight and you just missed them."

The room would appear cold and empty but for the fireplace and its raging fire. Need we consider the dangers of a fire left unattended in a 200-year-old mansion? That baby's cookin', too, warming the cockles of Socks and Buddy. Those are the first pets, Buddy the dog and Socks the cat, the only signs of actual life in the room. Buddy is happily dozing at Socks' feet. These two get along better than their owners.

The tree itself bears no personalized ornaments -- no log cabin from Little Rock or tiny vodka bottle from Boris Yeltsin. It's topped with an angel -- a brunette. Go figure.

Beneath is a soldier, probably a nod to "The Nutcracker" as if to say, "We adhere to holiday tradition." Placed nearby are a pair of ballet slippers, as if to say, "Our daughter has culture."

On the coffee table and atop the fireplace mantle are a pair of poinsettias, both in good health (I'm certain the staff received healthy bonuses this holiday season). But there are no stockings, no Christmas cards from longtime friends -- no cards at all, in fact. No Nativity scene, either.

Sadly, this will be the last Christmas card from President William Jefferson Clinton. Like his eight years in office, it has a slightly disingenuous feel.