Campus Progress Public Speaking Workshop

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006 Campus Progress sponsored a public speaking workshop at the Center for American Progress. The workshop featured Jennie Blackton, writer; actress; radio; progressive activist.

In her earlier life, Jennie Blackton spent time on Broadway as the third daughter in Fiddler on the Roof; she learned how to talk fast as the first woman on rock ‘n’ roll radio in New York City; she hosted her own talk shows, the last being two hours live on Lose Angeles television; he wrote comedy as a sitcom writer of shows such as One Day at a Time all the way up to her last show, Roseanne; she was the happy recipient of two Emmys for her work as a writer/producer; she was the vice president of three movie studios. And yet, she felt she was contributing nothing to the world until she realized all her skills put together could help good candidates for elective office become the best public speakers and the most appealing one-on-one campaigners, and she could write stump speeches for them that would keep an audience listening! She also realized that if she didn’t pursue this, she would only have herself to blame when a good candidate lost a race because of his or her inability to engage an audience. So, 10 years ago, she shifted her life into politics and has never looked back. She’s worked all over the country, developing candidates for organizations, all over the world (training women to run for elective office in Malawi, Africa, for instance), and in races in almost every state. Her passion is finding and developing talent to run for elective the offices on the most ground level: county, municipal, city, and state offices.

Jennie Blackton, started with giving us a secret to public speaking, which was “Breathe from you diaphragm”. She also told us to make sure we don’t jam our mouth into the microphone and identify with the audience. Jennie taught us the full-proof guide she had created to public speaking. Once, we had learned the six steps, she gave a few of us the opportunity to practice in front of the group. First, a guy running for SGA president at his school got up. Second, a lady that plans to run for a seat on the School Board for Prince George’s County in Maryland. Third was a guy that chose to speak on an international issue. He spoke about Cyprus and how Turkey had illegally invaded a third of the island and is raping many women and girls. He really had a hard time due to the issue (he chose). The guy did not criticism well either. At that point, I said to myself if he got up there so can I. When she called for another volunteer, another intern from the Center for American Progress named Peter got up. She then asked would any ladies care to speak I then volunteered. I was the fourth person to volunteer. I chose to speak about the lack of security on the campus of North Carolina Central University. I spoke a little fast at first and she stopped me. After being stopped, I had to get “a feel” for the audience. By asking various questions for people to answer, I identified with them and they identified with me. When I finished speaking about my issue, I received criticism and I believe I took it very well. This was a learning experience for me and I will cherish the opportunity forever. Peter then spoke about drinking at the age of 21. He was short and to the point. I think he did a really good job. I enjoy opportunities like this when people can learn and grow.

The Road to Guantanamo

On Monday, June 19, 2006 I went to the movie screening for "Road to Guantanamo." The event was co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress and Reel Progress. The screening was held at the Regal Cinemas Gallery Place 14 at 701 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

In September 2001, four friends set off from the English Midlands for a wedding and a holiday in Pakistan. Two and a half years later, three of them returned home. The Road to Guantanamo, winner of the Silver Bear at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, tells the story of these British Muslims, held in the American military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for over two years until they were released without charge in 2004. They were known as the "Tipton Three" in reference to their home town in Britain. With international attention once again focused on the conditions at the prison, The Road to Guantanamo is the first film to tell the inside story of the life behind the wire with the firsthand accounts from three former detainees. The film chronicles the sequence of events that led from the four setting out from Tipton in the British Midlands for a wedding in Pakistan; to their crossing the Afghanistan border just as the U.S. began their invasion, to their eventual capture by the Northern Alliance and their imprisonment in Camp X-Ray and later at Camp Delta in Guantanamo.

The movie theatre was on the third floor of the building. The building was in Chinatown, a district in Washington, DC. This was a very eventful movie screening. It was funny because after a third or so of the movie had been shown the fire alarm went off. We all had to evacuate the building. Everyone went to various exits. I came out on the back side of the building and had to walk around to the front. After about 20-30 minutes, we went back inside. A lot of the people had left by the time the movie began playing again. I'm truly glad I stayed because the movie made many of the viewers realize our governments cruelty to terrorism prisoners and prisoners that are not citizens of the United States of America.

I enjoyed the film, The Road to Guantanamo; it was very interesting and disturbing. I was glad I had the chance to view this film. After the film was shown, they had discussion. The panel was Brig. Gen. Stephen N. Xenakis, Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute of Washington; Michael Winterbottom, Director, The Road to Guantanamo; William F. Schulz, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; Ken Gude, Associate Director of the International Rights and Responsibility Program, Center for American Progress. The panel was moderated by Anna Soellner, Director of Outreach and Special Events, Center for American Progress.

Friday Full of Fun

On Friday, June 16, 2006 American Constitution Society for Law and Policy had their 2006 ACS National Convention. The convention was held from Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The theme for the convention was "Democracy and the Rule of Law." On Friday, the Opening Address was given by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. For those of you who have been keeping up with my posts. This is the second event I have attended this week with Senator Hillary Clinton speaking.

At the ACS Convention Senator Clinton’s topic was “Privacy.” Yes, privacy, it was shocking to the entire audience considering she doesn’t have much. Senator Clinton began by stressing the importance of security in the homes of American citizens. She believes in protecting the privacy, which she no longer possesses, for citizens. With the illegal wire-tapping and other versions of the invasion of privacy were important to her. Senator Clinton and her policy team came up with an acronym for an act to aid in ending the invasion of privacy called the PROTECT Act. She also insisted that citizens should have an opt-out option. Continuing to say that citizens should be notified every time their information is about to be tampered with. I agree that something should be done. Recently, construction companies, doctors, and others have threatened to divulge the personal information of citizens, over the internet, when they were not paid or compensated for work. Senator Clinton, then spoke about the HIPAA Law, which was arranged during the Clinton Administration. The HIPAA Law protects the health information of patients. She went on to talk about the standards of the American people, genetic discrimination, FISA and other minor issues concerning privacy.

Later on, Friday, June 16, 2006 Center for American Progress held an Intern Bar-B-Que. My roommate attended the event with me. The interns along with some of the staff played two games of Capture the Flag. Our President and CEO, John D. Podesta, came to the Bar-B-Que and even participated in a game of Capture the Flag. The Intern Director was the cook. We had hotdogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. It was a nice social event offered to the interns and the staff. It allowed us to socialize in a different environment. I enjoy interning at the Center for American Progress. I could not have wished for a better internship.

More Opportunites

Wednesday I had the opportunity to go back to the Campaign for America's Future Take Back America Conference. This conference was being held from Monday, June 12th through Wednesday, June 14th. On June 14th only ten interns from Center for American Progress were offered a chance to go to the conference. The interns that went attended the session entitled "The Investment Gap: Put People First." The panelist for this session included: John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress, Governor Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania and Donna Edwards, Candidate for Congress, Maryland District 4th, on leave as Director, Arca Foundation.

Once the panelists were introduced by the moderator, they each spoke for about 10-15 minutes. John Podesta was the first to speak. His primary topic was the current tax codes. John Podesta said, "[The government] made an assault on middle-class America." He went further and later said, "[The government's] tax code... pickpockets middle class." John Podesta concluded his time by speaking briefly about healthcare, tax breaks, and new Center for American Progress ideas. Next, Donna Edwards came up to the podium and began to speak. Donna Edwards first spoke about education and it being a top priority. She stated that our young, African-American males are in trouble because they are not going to college and technical schools are not available in many places. Donna Edwards believes that more funds should go into Vocational/Technical training. She also stands behind infrastructure investment. Donna Edwards said, "[The government should] set new priorities, state not only what's wrong, but where we're going and how we're going to get there." She spoke shortly on a few other topics before next speaker. Governor Ed Rendell was the last speaker. He began by suggesting that the government cut spending. Ed Rendell recommended that the government eliminate vast contracts and accounts. He explained how he was able to preserve revenue in Pennsylvania just by eliminating the numerous cell phone contracts and office supply accounts. Education was the next topic on the Governor's list. Ed Rendell believes in and supports yearly testing. Ed Rendell states that the No Child Left Behind Act gives the money to test yearly, but does not provide the funds to remediate those who are falling behind. An innovative idea proposed by the governor is something I hope comes to past. Ed Rendell suggests that we need to put licensed nurse practioners in small clinics built in large chain drug stores to provided medical attention for minor injuries and wounds. He also proposed that a small clinic should be built beside emergency centers to provide care for minor injuries and wounds. Ed Rendell felt the Democratic party seemed afraid. He then said, "We're the party of religious values." He concluded on the topic of religious values.

The floor was then opened to questions for the panelist. Most of the "questions" were unwanted comments from the audience. I am glad I was given the opportunity to attend this conference. In life we are always given chances. It is often how we accept and utilize them that separate the smart from the wise.

Donna Edwards and JaMeese Mangum at the Campaign for America's Future Take Back America Conference.

New Opportunities Presented

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Campaign for America's Future Take Back America Conference. This conference was being held from Monday, June 12th through Wednesday, June 14th. On June 13th several of the interns from Center for American Progress were allowed to go to the conference. The speaker was suppose to begin at 8:00 AM. Upon arrival I along with the audience was told the speaker was running relatively late. Around 8:15 AM Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton came out on the stage. I knew she was going to be the speaker because Center for American Progress informed us prior to attending the event. However, I was still shocked to see Senator Clinton on a stage less than 30 yards away. She spoke on Oil, Estate Tax, the Federal Marriage Amendment (that was not passed), Crime Rate, Social Security, the New Energy Policy, Foreign Policy, National Security, and the upcoming elections. She criticized the current Administration on some issues very personal to the audience. Senator Clinton said, "[We should] define success not by what we prevent but what we build." I think this was a key point she made during her speech. She also stated that people working on minimum wage have not had a raise in 20 years. Women working the same job as a man and not receiving equal was another issue she brought up. Senator Clinton said "America is better than the government we already have." She said that we recently received the largest cut in student loans for financial aid in 50 years. On another topic, Senator Clinton said, "...the President is always talking about an ownership society, [he's the reason] you're on your own!" She also posed a rhetoric question saying "Does the administration watch cowboy movies all day?" I really enjoyed hearing Senator Hillary Clinton speak it was a great opportunity. The next to come to the podium on stage was the House Democratic Leader Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. I was surprised to see her after Senator Clinton. Congresswoman Pelosi spoke on issues similar to Senator Clinton. Congresswoman Pelosi said "[The] level of sacrifice is not being matched with the level of planning [by the administration]." She also pushed the upcoming election. After Congresswoman Pelosi spoke, John Powers came to introduce the next speaker. He was a moving speaker, considering he was an Iraqi soldier. He quoted Thomas Jefferson "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." John Powers now works for War Kids Relief. Senator John Kerry was the next to come to stage. I was so shocked to see the Democratic Candidate for the 2004 Presidential Election. Senator Kerry spoke about coming back from the Vietnam War and how American citizens said he should not have protested the war. He said, "True patriots have the right to question and criticize." While speaking about patriots, Senator Kerry said, "Patriotism isn't love for power, it's loyalty to the idea of America." Senator Kerry spoke about the young Americans and innocent Iraqis who are constantly losing their lives. He said that the war was a mistake. "We were mislead...I was wrong to vote for the Iraqi War Resolution." He went on to say, "Truth may be a stranger in the White House today." Senator Kerry felt we needed a deadline for the withdrawal from Iraq. Senator Kerry said that this week he planned on proposing to set a date to withdraw from Iraq. He thought that it was time for the Iraqi people to want the democracy that we want for them. These are some additional quotes made by Senator Kerry: "Tell the truth to the American people, then tell it to them all the time," "Make America secure by making America energy independent," "Export products, not jobs," and "It's time for leadership and statesmanship." Senator Kerry spoke on affordable healthcare, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), global warming and veterans. I am glad I was presented with this opportunity I took full advantage of.

C-SPAN at CAP

Washington, DC June 5,2005 At the Center for American Progress forum "Is the Federal Marriage Amendment Consistent with Federalism and Democratic Values?" was recorded and shown live on C-SPAN at 10:00 AM. I had the pleasure of sitting in on the forum. The forum was moderated by Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Center for American Progress, Neera Tanden. There were four panelist involved in the forum. Dale Carpenter Associate Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School and author of the new Cato study, "The Federal Marriage Amendment: Unnecessary, Anti-Federalist, and Anti-Democratic". Louis Michael Seidman John Carroll Research Professor of Law, Georgetown University School of Law. Mark Agrast Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress. Bruce Fein Former Associate Deputy Attorney General and General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission under President Ronald Reagan. In the forum, all of the panelists were able to provide ample information to support their point that the Federal Marriage Amendment should not be passed. I learned a lot about the new amendment that President George Bush is backing. They each stated that the passing of the amendment would prevent states from being able to ratify or condemn same-sex marriages, civil unions, etc. Each panelist was eager to speak and the audience was filled with people from various backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, and other factors. Some of the audience members asked good solid questions that the panelist loved. The panelists were extremely kind during and after the forum.

My First Week as an Intern

My first week in Washington, DC was fun. I began my internship in the Executive Office of John Podesta at the Center for American Progress Tuesday, May 30, 2006. Tuesday, I went in and had orientation with all the other interns at CAP. After we returned from lunch we completed orientation and went to our various departments. At 3:30 PM we had an all staff meeting that lasted an hour and a half. I know I probably dozed off a couple of times because it was so cold and the meeting had absolutely nothing to do with the interns. The good thing about the meeting is once it’s over we celebrate birthdays and have cupcakes or cake. Around 5:30 PM the interns were suppose to have a meeting discussing any concerns they might have had with their departments. I think all of the interns were able to leave a little earlier than usual. The next day I went in, we had a speaker lecturing about technology, its impact and other issues concerning technology. This lasted from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. I went to hear him speak but left relatively early because the turn-out was wonderful and I didn’t have a seat. Shortly after his lecture ended we had another event about organizing and policies. I attended this lunch time series because I am interested in becoming a well-organized, proficient and ingenious leader that will make a vast difference in the years to come on NCCU’s campus. The session was very informative and interns from all over the capitol attended. Later on in the day I had some paper work to completed and some background information to assemble for the Board of Trustees meeting in June. Thursday, we did not have any events but I worked on an itenary for Mr. Podesta and other things that needed to be executed. I was able to read a little of the articles on CAPs website as well as CNN and the Washington Post. I have truly had an eventful week at the Center for American Progress. I honestly believe I could have not found a better suit for me this summer.