Friday Full of Fun Part II

On Friday, August 4, 2006, I had a very eventful day. I was at the Washington Monument at 10:00A.M. It was a wonderful experience to see Washington, DC from a bird's eye view. All of the students from the UNC in Washington Program were able to go up to the top around the same time. We went to the top and it was truly amazing. I took pictures from every angle. You could see Virginia and Maryland in the distance. My family has traveled to Washington, DC for years during Memorial Day weekend and I don't think we every went to the top of the Monument.

From there I went to get something to eat with a my roommate and a fellow intern from the UNC in Washington. Upon returning, I had to leave so I could get to an event concerning Nanotechnology. I invited all of the students from the UNC in Washington Program and three people showed up. I am so happy when the people I invite to events, attend them. I learned what nanotechnology is, what type of products it can be seen in and how it's manufactured. I learned more than I ever would have if I wouldn't have attend the event.

After leaving the Nanotechnology, I had to come to work to collaborate on a project with a fellow intern. Due to the massive amount of work that she received that morning we were not able to work on the project very long. The Center for American Progress also was having a Happy Hour event that started at 5:00P.M. I went to the event, the offered various sandwiches, snacks and cake. I was glad I was able to make the event because it was the last day for a lot of interns and a few staffers. We had an extraordinary time during the social event. The atmosphere was filled with intelligent minds that were relaxing but still engaged in the current events.

I have truly enjoyed my stay at the Center for American Progress! They have offered many outlets for me to get to know the staff and my fellow interns. They have also provided me with invaluable experiences that I will remember forever, unless Alzheimer's sets in. The people here are progressing and hopefully I one day I will be able to fill their shoes and my own!

The White House Let-Down

On Thursday, August 3, 2006, exactly 40 interns from the Center for American Progress had a tour of the White House. We left our building around 12:00noon because our tour was at 12:30P.M. and we were asked to be there at least fifteen minutes in advanced. We all walked together to the White House because it's only a few blocks away from our building. Prior to the day we were scheduled for a tour, we received an email saying don't bring a long list of items. A camera was one of the items, so you won't see any pictures on this post. Sorry!

When we arrived, we were asked to get in alphabetical order and line up against the wall. We lined up relatively quickly for a group of our size. Once we were in a line, one by one our identification was checked and we went inside the security check point. After you were cleared we then walked to the White House. Now I know you all are saying I should be grateful I went on a tour because they had stopped giving tours of the White House. I agree, I should be grateful and I am, but the story of my tour is tragic. When we began to fill the first room, some of the interns were a little louder than usual. A guard then loudly requested all of us to use our inside voices because the 1st Lady, referred to as Laura by the guard, was upstairs and he didn't want to upset her. He then told us that it was a self-guided tour and guards would be on their various posts if we had any questions. We went through the following rooms between parallels rows of velvet rope. We walked past the library and then went up a set of stairs to the main level of the White House. We walked through the East Room, the Green Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, the State Dining Room and a very short hallway.

Then I realized that the next walk through was a door that led to outside... I had only been walking around for about 15 to 20 minutes tops. Our tour of the White House was a shorter distance than the distance from our building to the White House. I know that might not be that big of a deal to some people, but the blocks in Washington, DC make the blocks in Charlotte look like driveways. I was disappointed in our tour. I mean we went to "The White House" and it was sad. I mean I knew the President wouldn't be there because he's razing, I mean conserving, our country. Then we were given a little self-guide tour. The interesting thing was one of the interns found out that the White House has a $1.2 million budget for flowers. Now, I know I'm not a policy experts or a political expert, but I do have common sense. We have people that are homeless and starving, amongst other things and they have a budget that high for flowers. Well, I just hope the nation doesn't end up like the flowers, withering and eventually dead.

I hope you enjoyed this post, excuse me for being a bit critical.

2nd Annual Intern vs. Staff Softball Game

Thursday, July 27, 2006, the Concerned Interns of America (CIA), better known as the Center for American Progress Interns, played some of the staff from the Center for American Progress in the 2nd Annual Intern versus Staff Softball Game. The game was scheduled to start at 5:00P.M. I had work to finish up, so the game had begun by the time I got there. This was a very exciting game. We played 9 innings, and I played in three. In one of the innings, I had a chance at bat. When I finally hit the ball, it was a pop ball and it was caught in the air and I got out. The other two of the innings, I was the catcher. I managed to be in what some people have named the play of the game. They even sent out an email about it that Friday at work. The email was sent from the CIA's spokesman. It follows below:

To offer a correction to your last email: it was 32 Staff 14 Interns. Thanks for keeping the score close, us interns were within striking distance. I think our team was another 9 innings away from winning - I'd call for a rematch, but I wouldn't be around to see it happen.

But I have to say yesterday was a huge success. 32 interns played in some capacity, and by rough estimates another 18 showed up to support making a strong showing of 50 interns at yesterday's game; dwarfing the staff side. We hit some great homeruns. Had some steller fielding plays (the Elliot Forhan ala Derek Jeter cut off then flip to JaMeese to get Trevor was the play of the game). And through 9 hard fought innings, our team stuck it out. I think the staff should know that they may have the single best group of interns in the country. Thanks for choosing us, the least we could do is let you win.

In any case, as per our agreement: the interns restore respect and integrity to the staff -- and some of us will leave today with our tails hiding between our legs.

Those leaving are Andrew Ormes, Julie Siegel, Pete Backof and myself. I think it is safe to say we have all enjoyed our time here. I've interned for four summers now and never before have I ever actually felt sad to leave; not even when I graduated from high school. It is a rarity for me. Thanks for making a lasting impression.

Always,

Keith

As you can see from the email we lost but we put up a good fight. I'm glad I could help my team in our fight towards victory. Even though we did not win we had a really good time playing and it was a really good opportunity for us to bond with our fellow interns and some of the staff. Everyone had fun being both a participator and a spectator. I might have to join a softball team back home... It's just a thought.

All of the interns made their own shirts. It shows how resourceful and creative we are! The bottom of my shirt says "Meet Me On The Mall, It's Going Down!" We were playing on the mall. You can see the Washington Monument in some of the pictures.

Nationals Game

On Wednesday, July 26, 2006 a lot of the interns from the Center for American Progress attended a Nationals Game. The Washington Nationals played the San Francisco Giants at the RFK Stadium. A large group of interns left together around 6:00 P.M. We rode the Blue line to Stadium-Armory. It was like a social gathering on the Metro because many of the people on the Metro were going to the game.

I was shocked because I got to see the infamous Barry Bonds play baseball!!! Even though we were kinda far up, he was relatively fat. I was surprised. It was still a wonderful experience. This was the first professional baseball game I've attended. The interns from the Center for American Progress made my first experiecne a blast. We all sat together. We laughed, cheered, booed, ate and other things as well, like actually watch the game. I stayed for a almost the entire game. A small group of the interns left around the end of the seventh inning. I can't say when I will be attending another baseball game but now I'm more optimistic about attending one.

To look at an article about the game I attend go to click the following link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/25/AR2006072501550.html wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/25/AR2006072501550.html) or go to google and seach "Nats Knock Off Bonds" and enjoy!

Since we don't have a team from Charlotte, I'll just yell GO NATIONALS!!!

Taking the Lead: Campus to Congress

On Wednesday, July 26, 2006, I went to an event held by the Feminist Majority Foundation. The name of the event was Taking the Lead: Campus to Congress. It was held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Room G50. The event was from 3:00P.M. to 5:00P.M.

The event was a forum on the feminization of power and a discussion of the rewards and challenges women experience while striving for leadership roles from campus to congress. "Taking the Lead: from Campus to Congress" focused on encouraging women's participation in campus, local, and national politics. The forum discussed the rewards and challenges that women face on the road to public office. Too often women are not encouraged to seek leadership on campuses and beyond. We can break through the 'glass ceiling' with positions on student government, campus newspapers, and as leaders of campus groups. Then we can use the experiences gained to spark a lifelong interest in public service and political office. Campus models where feminists have united with supportive groups to run a successful slate were also discussed. With this event, the Feminist Majority Foundation hoped to support current campaigns and launch future ones. The speakers included: Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation; Jennifer Owens, Howard University Student Association President; and members of Congress including Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA), Co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus.

All of the women on the panel told different stories about why they became involved with politics and/or leadership. I could really relate to the story told by Jennifer Owens. She talked about being involved with a campaign her freshman year and continued to work with the Student Association at Howard. Owens then said everyone continued to tell her that she was going to do this and that are far as leadership. She thought they were just talking. Owens later questioned herself, "If everyone else can see it in me, why can't I see it in myself?" I feel the exact same way. I am glad I got to hear her story it was beneficial to me and has helped me embrace the new responsibilities that are thrown my way!

4th Annual Intern Event

On Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, at 12:00noon, a town hall meeting on the importance of public service was scheduled by Partnership for Public Service. This event was brought to my attention first by a fellow intern at the Center for American Progress. I was very excited to have another chance to hear and see Senator Barack Obama. I then found out that NBC's Tim Russert would be moderating the event and that "put the icing on the cake." This would be a chance in a lifetime to hear both of them together IN PERSON! I made sure that I sent my RSVP as soon as possible.

Several interns from the Center for American Progress decided to walk to the event. I'll tell you that Wednesday was extremely hot! We had on our business suites and were ready to network and get ready to work. Priority seating was given to those who had sent an RSVP to the event. Luckily, I had. The dilemma is, doors opened at 10:30A.M. for people with a confirmation number and after 11:15A.M. the doors were open for general admission. That day we were extremely busy in the office. I believe we left the Center for American Progress around 11:05. By the time we got there they were letting everyone in. Somehow or another we ended up sitting in the third row in the orchestra section, which is right in front of the stage. I was so excited! Senator Obama talked about working for a church as Community Organizer. He talked about how he became the United States Senator for Illinois. When the floor was open to questions from the audience, Senator Obama spoke as if he were engaging in a one on one conversation. He thought about his answers before he began to speak. I think he will be a good president in the future. He cares about helping people and giving back that I believe things would look more positively like that did during the Clinton Administration.

Cultural Events with the UNC in Washington

The students in the UNC in Washington Program went to see "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" on Thursday, July 20, 2006. Our show was scheduled to start at 8:30P.M. The play was similar to the infamous comic strip and movies of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. I enjoyed going to the play with my fellow classmates it was quite an experience. I will not describe the play because you should go see it if you're in DC. I will tell you that I thought it was a good play and I would go see it again.

The next day, July 21, 2006, we went to the National Museum of American History. I really enjoyed this tour! Not only did we go early but we got in before the museum officially opened for the day. This meant we could walk around without bumping into people that weren't in our group. We also were able to speak with some of the museum curators about future projects and plans. I enjoyed these cultural experiences with the UNC in Washington Program.

The National Museum of American History

The First 50 years of Disney

Delivering the Goods: Watsonville, California

A wall of various signs

DC's Hip-Hop Culture

On the Thursday, July 13, 2006, my friend Will and I went to Hip-Hop Theater Festival. The Hip-Hop Theater Festival was held July 10 through July 15, 2006. In six years, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) has grown into one of the most influential outlets showcasing hip-hop performing arts in the country. The Hip-Hop Theater Festival aims to invigorate the fields of theater and hip-hop by nurturing the creation of innovative work within the hip-hop aesthetic. The core of HHTF's programming is its annual Festivals. I was able to attend one of the many events. Prior to the event we went to eat at a Thai Restaurant because the first show of the play we were attending was full. The event was held at The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street, NW in Washington, DC.

Upon returning to the second showing of the play, we were able to get a seat. The name of the play was Prison Poetry. Prison Poetry was a one act play following the lives of three black men from three different generations who share the same jail cell for one night. I found the play to be moving and enlightening because even though they weren't all graduates of college they were politically knowledgeable. The first man was the oldest of the three and an activist. The second man was a snobbish law student and the son of the powerful attorney. The last man was a poet and the second oldest of the three.

I'm really glad I was able to attend this event with my friend. Hopefully I will be able to attend more of their events in the future. I would love to see the Hip-Hop Theatre Festical events performed everywhere along the East Coast. I say the East Coast because our culture is somewhat similar along the East Coast. Not to say that the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival would not be influential to other regions. I just think that it would have the greatest impact in that specific region.

2006 National Student Conference

On Wednesday, July 12, 2006, the 2006 National Student Conference was held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC by Campus Progress. The interns from the Center for American Progress were expected to be at the hotel around 6:30A.M., to help set up and prepare for registration for the participants for the conference. I arrived at the conference at 8:00A.M., I had overslept from the screening of "The Trials of Darryl Hunt" the night before.

When I arrived at the conference I jumped right in where ever I was needed. I helped out with registration and other things. I then went to get my badge and it had a red star to the left of my name and I was told it was there because I was speaking at the conference. After most of the people had arrived to the hotel we were able to go in the ballroom to hear the Morning Plenary. I was able to hear Adrienne Maree Brown, Executive Director of Ruckus Society and the end of Reverend Dr. James Alexander Forbes, Jr., the Senior Minister of The Riverside Baptist Church in New York. I did not get to sit in on the first panel discussion because I was helping the attendees and the people that where "manning" the tables. I also had to get ready for the Luncheon Program.

The Luncheon Program began at 12:05P.M. It began with Hollie Russon Gillman introducing Paul Begala, Political Analyst and CNN Commentator. Paul Begala spoke for about 10 minutes and then began presenting the Campus Progress Awards. After he had presented all of the awards, I went on stage to introduce the President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. Once I finished, John Podesta came on stage, thanked me and others and began speaking. He in turn introduced Lauren Patrizi, a student from Loyola University Chicago that was introducing the keynote speaker, United States Senator Barack Obama. I had to leave while Senator Obama was speaking to make sure my panel was set-up and ready when the attendees were let out of the Luncheon Program.

My first panel discussion **The New Muckrakers** was composed of Emily Biuso, Intern Coordinator, The Nation; Josh Kalven, Senior Researcher, Media Matters for America; Justin Rood, Blogger, TPMMuckraker.com; Laura Rozen, Senior Correspondent, The American Prospect, Blogger, WarandPiece.com; and Amanda Terkel (Moderator), Research Associate, ThinkProgress.org, Center for American Progress. During this panel after I had counted the number of people that were in the room I stepped out to finish my lunch. When I came back to panel and at that time they were taking questions from the audience. I stayed about 10 minutes and I told the other person that I was working with for the day that I was going to make sure everything was set-up for our next panel.

The second panel discussion **Beyond the Great Society** was composed of Richard P. Applebaum, Professor of Sociology and Global and International Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara; Mark Greenberg, Executive Director, Task Force on Poverty, Center for American Progress; Jen Kern, Director, ACORN Living Wage Resource Center; Almas Sayeed, Congressional Hunger Research Fellow, Center for American Progress; and Cassandra Q. Butts (Moderator), Senior Vice President for Domestic Policy, Center for American Progress. I sat in on almost the entire panel. It was very interesting and it consisted of three people from the Center for American Progress, where I'm doing my internship for the new readers. When the question part of the panel came up I was the person with the microphone and I chose most of the people who asked the questions. I left around 15 minutes early to set-up for the next panel.

The third and final panel discussion **Is It Bigger Than Hip-Hop?** was composed of Joseph "Fat Joe" Cartagena, Rapper, Actor, and Entrepreneur; Bakari Kitwana, Director of Rap Sessions: Community Dialogues on Hip Hop, and Author of The Hip Hop Generation; Alexis McGill, Executive Director, Citizen Change; Amina Norman-Hawkins, President, Chicago Hip Hop Initiative; Billy Wimsatt, Executive Director, League of Young Voters; and Jeff Johnson (Moderator), Senior Advisor for Youth and Urban Outreach, People For the American Way. I was there to count all of the people that were attending the panel. Once the majority of the people were seated I asked another person from the Center for American Progress to monitor the door so I could go change clothes. By the time I had come back into the panel they had just begun and the moderator was introducing people. This by far was the most interesting panel, because all of the remarks that were made by both the panelists and the audience. As you can see I was able to meet and take a picture with Fat Joe and Cousin Jeff. I was able to hear the beginning of the Closing Plenary, where United States Representative Tammy Baldwin spoke. I used the conference as a networking opportunity. It was amazing for me. While I was walking around during the panels or going to my next panel various people were coming up to me and introducing themselves. I was proud of myself because obviously these people saw something in me and they wanted me to know them. This was an opportunity of a lifetime and I am glad I took full advantage of it. Some of the people I met at the conference will be people I will keep in contact with for years to come.

The video feeds from the conference (I happen to be in a few of them) can be found at http://www.campusprogress.org/common/1005/2006-campus-progress-national-student-conference-multimedia.

Building a Movement: Highlights From the Conference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SjqkWEqrTk

2006 National Student Conference was a blast!!!

The Trials of Darryl Hunt

On Tuesday, July 11th, I attended the movie screening for "The Trials of Darryl Hunt" at Landmark E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street, NW. The movie screening was held by the Center for American along with Annie Sundberg. "The Trials of Darryl Hunt" documents a brutal rape and murder in North Carolina, and offers a deeply personal story of a wrongfully convicted man, Darryl Hunt, who spent twenty years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

In 1984, a young white newspaper reporter, Deborah Sykes, was raped, sodomized and stabbed to death just blocks from where she worked in Winston-Salem, NC. Base on an ID made by a former Klan member, a 19-year-old black man, Darryl Hunt, was charged. No physical evidence linked Hunt to the crime. Hunt was convicted by an all white jury, and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1994, DNA testing cleared Hunt, yet he would spend another ten years behind bars. The film chronicles this capital case from 1984 through 2004. With personal narratives and exclusive footage from two decades, the film frames the judicial and emotional responses to this chilling crime - and the implications surrounding Hunt's conviction - against a backdrop of class and racial bias in America. This unique look at one man's loss and redemption challenges the assumption that all Americans have the right to unbiased justice.

The panel discussion that followed the movie featured Darryl Hunt; Mark Rabil, Darryl Hunt’s attorney; Nkechi Taifa, senior policy analyst at Open Society Policy Center; and Clyde Williams, Center for American Progress. The movie was very moving. At a few points in the movie, I was brought to tears. I think everyone should watch this movie when it comes out, but especially the people who have lived in the South at one point in their lives. Being a native of North Carolina, I was shocked that I had never heard of his story. This is one reason I chose to pursue a career in the legal system, to try to make a positive impact on at least one person’s life. I know that Darryl Hunt's case is not the only case like this. During the discussion Darryl was asked about his faith and how it was strengthened throughout his prison sentence. He told the audience that his grandparents instilled Christian beliefs in him at a young age, by making him attend church every Sunday. After the screening and discussion had come to an end, I had a chance to speak to the entire panel and the director of the movie. I really enjoyed this movie and I am glad I had the privilege to view the movie before it airs on HBO.

This movie will debut on HBO in 2007!

Lunch with Seymour Hersh

On Tuesday, July 11th Alliance for Justice held a special event for students, summer legal associates, and interns in the Washington, DC area. The event was held at the National Education Association (NEA) Building at 1201 16th Street, NW. The event began at Noon and lasted about an hour and a half. The guest speaker of the lunch event was the infamous American Pulitzer Prize winner and author based in New York City, Mr. Seymour Myron Hersh.

His work first gained world-wide recognition in 1969 for exposing the My Lai massacre and its cover0up during the Vietnam War, for which he received the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. His 2004 reports on the United States Military's treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison gained much attention. In 2006 reported on the United States Military's plans for Iran, which called for the use of nuclear weapons against that country.

During this lunch session we had an intriguing discussion regarding homeland security, abuse of power, and protecting civil rights and liberties in a post-9/11 America. Mr. Hersh began with speaking in Iraq, Gaza and Jordan. He stated that no intelligence show that Iraq has a nuclear weapons program. Later saying, American fraud is prominent among ruling parties. Mr. Hersh went on to give us a little history on the chain of command. He was speaking about President Bush not acting on the terrible actions carried out by soldiers in Iraq and surrounding areas. Hersh then said that all old movies portrayed the United States positively in any war. He then said, "We don't fight wars any better that the Japs, Nips, Nazis and [any] other." Hersh told of how he spoke with one of his Pakistani friends that said no matter how much he hated a particular group in the Middle East region neither he nor his people would ever sexual humiliate another person. In the Pakistani world, once you have sexually humiliated someone you have crossed the line. Also, they seek revenge for up to 50 years later. Mr. Hersh spoke on several issues that were very interesting. I enjoyed hearing him and having the chance to hear him speak.

Navigating the Beltway: How to Get a Job in Washington

Lunch reception on The Hill was scheduled to discuss coming back to Washington, DC post-graduation. The reception was given by Campus Progress in the Mansfield Room of the Capitol on Thursday, July 6th, at 12:30p.m.

Campus Progress had a panel of successful young professionals. The panel featured: Jehmu Greene, National Director of Project Vote; Heather Higginbottom, Legislative Director for Senator John Kerry; Tanya Clay House, Director of Public Policy for People For the American Way; and David Halperin, Senior Vice President and Director of Campus Progress at the Center for American Progress.

Prior to Project Vote, Jehmu Greene served as the President and Executive Director of Rock the Vote, where under her leadership, Rock the Vote's membership grew from 1,500 to 1 million and the organization registered 1.4 million new voters. Before coming to Capitol Hill, Heather Higginbottom worked at the national non-profit organization, Communities in Schools, and on President Clinton's 'President's Summit for America's Future' where she coordinated the role of communities of faith in the Summit. Mrs. Tanya House began her political career as Legislative Counsel for United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) in 2000. From there she moved to the Senate to work for United States Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Most recently, Mrs. House was awarded the 2003 Congressional Black Caucus Chair's Award for her leadership in advancing the cause of civil and human rights for all Americans. David Halperin held a host of jobs and positions prior to the Center for American Progress.

The moderator asked the panelists questions mostly about their experience on the Hill and in Washington, DC. These professional people offered advice that will help all the attendees in getting a job and keeping one not only on the Hill and in Washington, DC but in any political arena. I had a chance to meet the entire panel and learn lots from them. I made sure to get contact information. It was a wonderful event and I am glad I attended it. The networking exchange was avid during this event.

The War Tapes

On Wednesday, June 28, 2006 I attended the movie screening for "The War Tapes." This event was held at Landmark E Street Cinema at 555 11th Street, NW. The movie screening started at 7:00pm. The Center for American Progress along with SenArt Films and Scranton/Lace Films held the movie screening. The event was filled with both interns and people from the community and the business district of Washington, DC.

In March 2004, just as the insurgent movement strengthened, several members of one National Guard unit arrived in Iraq, carrying digital video cameras. "The War Tapes" follows three men: Sergeant Steve Pink, Sergeant Zack Bazzi, and Specialist Mike Moriarty. Steve is a young carpenter with a dark, irreverent sense of humor who joined the Guard for college money. Zack is an inquisitive, ironic traveler and university student. Mike is a husband and father of two, driven to fight by honor and redemption. You will see Operation Iraqi Freedom through their eyes.

The soldiers were not picked by casting agents or movie producers. They selected themselves. 10 soldiers from Charlie Company carried cameras on IED-riddled roads and into combat—and into their own internal conversations. They learned how to choose and tell their stories in constant instant message conversations with Director Scranton. They filmed under unbelievable conditions. The unit was based at LSA Anaconda in the deadly Sunni Triangle, under constant threat of ambush and IED attacks. They traveled, as a unit, 1.4 million miles during their tour, and lived through over 1,200 combat operations and 250 direct enemy engagements. Because it’s filmed by citizen soldiers telling their own stories, "The War Tapes" is funnier, spicier, and more wrenching than stories other people might tell about them.

Following the movie screening the Center for American Progress held a panel. The featured panelists: P.J. Crowley, Senior Fellow, Director of National Defense and Homeland Security, Center for American Progress; Steve James, Editor/Producer, The War Tapes Staff; Sergeant Zack Bazzi, New Hampshire Army National Guard; Sergeant Patrick Campbell, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and moderated by: Melody Barnes, Executive Vice President for Policy, Center for American Progress. The moderator spoke briefly about the panelists and their background. The moderator then asked the panelist various questions. Upon asking three or four questions, the moderator opened the floor to questions and the audience asked between five or six questions. I had the chance to meet the panelists at the end of the panel discussion.

The movie screening ended around 10:00pm. The movie was very moving and shows how the United States was fighting the war in Iraq. I was surprised to see how the United States was behaving in a war with people who were disadvantaged. The movie was events that actually occurred in Iraq. I enjoyed the movie screening and it opened my eyes to certain issues that I was oblivious to.

Understanding the Senate: A Leader's View

The Center for American Progress held a Progressive Policy Skills Seminar called Understanding the Senate: A Leader's View. The Senate has long been known as the world's greatest deliberative body. Navigating the Senate has always been and continues to be a great challenge for the American public, as well as for senator themselves. Nevertheless, no great progressive advance can be enacted without the Senate. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle discussed his experiences as a Senate leader.

Senator Tom Daschle is a Distinguished Senior at the Center for American Progress. Senator Daschle's work for the Center focuses on health care policy and global economic, security and health issues. Senator Daschle is also a member of the Global Alliances' steering committee, an international coalition of progressive leaders dedicated to the development and exchange of progressive policy ideas. In addition to his work at the Center, Senator Daschle is also a visiting professor at the Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute, conducting student seminars, guest lectures in classrooms, and holding public discussions related to politics and policymaking. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978, Tom Daschle served there until 1986 when he was elected to the U.S. Senate from South Dakota. He became Minority Leader of the Senate in 1994 and Majority Leader in 2001. He was the second longest serving Democratic leader in history. Daschle now serves as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Washington office of the law firm Alston and Bird.

In the discussion brought up four key points that are needed for democracy: Level of Tolerance, between competition; Respect of the Rule of Law, a good example is Russia; Leadership, without it you can not have a democracy; Participation, the degree people get engaged/they will give a lot more. He stated that for when running for political office the "Less time, [the] more money you need". Senator Daschle then explained how a congressman is divided. The Natural, legislator (8,000 votes in 4 terms); Ambassador of your state, foreign travel and economic trade; Political Leader, encourage participation; Service to your state. As a Senator, your priorities are broken down to Washington, State and Home. Some senators' priorities fall in that order also. Senator Daschle felt that family should come first. While on the subject of family he made the following statement: "If your kids become more of a liability to society than an asset, then all the rest of it [statesmanship] doesn't matter. And you only have one shot at raising them."

I am really grateful this event was held at the Center for American Progress. Even though Senator Daschle is in house, his appearances are far and in between. Following the discussion, I had the opportunity to meet Senator Daschle. I was so excited and jovial that I just told him my name and that I was an intern at the Center for American Progress. The Center for American Progress offers numerous events to help the community meet people with political influence. In addition to meeting him, three people from the UNC in Washington program that I invited attended the event. This was a very pleasant Monday to start a week on!