2007 has been an incredible year for me spanning a multitude of settings and events each of which left an indelible mark on myself. In fact its a ton to think about when you consider I was a wise-eyed college freshman trying to master Malibu at the start and now I'm (at least in my own mind) somewhat savvy of not only my school, but a little bit of my own life in general. I've seen and done much and I'm so thankful for every opportunity, but there is more. Much more. Next semester I'll be in London and from there who knows? And what's it all mean? Nothing if I can't incorporate my experiences into some modicum of understanding and perspective. Throughout these adventurous months, I've been trying to keep that in mind. I'll be looking to have fun and make the most of my time abroad, but I'll also be looking to grow as a person. Cheesy? You betcha, but I'm a sucker for that kind've stuff. It happens.
Anyways, beyond my own life 2007 was VERY eventful and 2008 should be even more so, with the host of primaries and the general election itself coming up as well as a critical stage of the Iraq War and perhaps most of all another Red Sox season. The important thing is to take it in stride, but if 2007 was any indication, these strides are going to be of the Carl Lewis variety. And I can't wait.
As they say in some places: Go big or go home.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Perfection!
Last night I was lucky enough to go to the Patriots-Giants game at the Meadowlands and I was fortunate enough to witness history. As a Patriots fan, the win was gratifying enough, but with so many additional circumstances surrounding the game it was that much more of a boost. My dad's side of the family has had Giants season tickets since the days they played at Yankee Stadium and my brother and I have got to spend some valuable father-son time with my dad at some pretty exciting games (my brother's first game there when he was just a kid was against the Cowboys and after the Cowboys blew them out my dad lost my brother to Cowboy fandom forever).
It's always an experience at Giants Stadium and this was no different. Usually I root for the Giants (especially when they play the Patriots' division rivals like the Jets or Bills), so the other usual suspects in our section I think recognized me as a Giants fan. But beneath my Columbia snow jacket was a Red Sox sweatshirt I had planned on unveiling, but reconsidered upon arrival. Good thing. While there were a ton of Pats fans at the game, there were only a few families in our section that were being mercilessly heckled for most of the game by the meatheads in our section. That is, until the Patriots pulled ahead. Then the long, shameful exodus of fans began, even as the Giants showed a spark of life. The realization of inevitable New England victory was too much for some fans to deal with, even the grizzled stadium veterans.
Eli Manning and the Giants played well... actually they played great. Against any other team they would have won. But they weren't playing any other team, they were playing the Patriots and the New England offense was clicking on all cylinders. Brady and Moss set individual records while the team's victory guaranteed regular-season perfection. 16-0. Unbelievable.
Congratulations Patriots on a well-played season, but now comes the playoffs... the second season. New England fans are looking for another championship to go along with the Red Sox earlier in the fall. Let's have some more victory parties, eh?
It's always an experience at Giants Stadium and this was no different. Usually I root for the Giants (especially when they play the Patriots' division rivals like the Jets or Bills), so the other usual suspects in our section I think recognized me as a Giants fan. But beneath my Columbia snow jacket was a Red Sox sweatshirt I had planned on unveiling, but reconsidered upon arrival. Good thing. While there were a ton of Pats fans at the game, there were only a few families in our section that were being mercilessly heckled for most of the game by the meatheads in our section. That is, until the Patriots pulled ahead. Then the long, shameful exodus of fans began, even as the Giants showed a spark of life. The realization of inevitable New England victory was too much for some fans to deal with, even the grizzled stadium veterans.Eli Manning and the Giants played well... actually they played great. Against any other team they would have won. But they weren't playing any other team, they were playing the Patriots and the New England offense was clicking on all cylinders. Brady and Moss set individual records while the team's victory guaranteed regular-season perfection. 16-0. Unbelievable.
Congratulations Patriots on a well-played season, but now comes the playoffs... the second season. New England fans are looking for another championship to go along with the Red Sox earlier in the fall. Let's have some more victory parties, eh?
Friday, December 28, 2007
RIP Benazir Bhutto
Early yesterday, reports from Pakistan alerted the world to the horrific turn of events in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan and the first woman leader in the Middle East, had returned from exile to run against military head of state Gen. Pervez Musharref. Musharref has been an ally of the United States' in the region and a leader in the War on Terror. But in Pakistan, stability has been "achieved" through trampling of rights. Bhutto's assassination is terrible, terrible news as Bhutto represented a lot in the way of hope and progress in the Islamic world and for us here in the States. I know the Bush administration had a lot invested in making a reconciliation between her and Musharref, but there was just that sinking feeling after her return that she was in incredible danger. Even after the first assassination attempt in October, she showed remarkable courage in pressing on to campaign further. A terrible loss for everyone in Pakistan and in their government, even Musharref who needed Bhutto and her Party to lend credence to elections, our government and the populace.
What the region needs is stability along with respect for human rights and this tragic event flies right in the face of that pursuit. Such a shame.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
Saturday, December 22, 2007
In a Season of Giving, He Gives Thanks
Below is the article published today in the CT Post. Enjoy.
In a season of giving, he gives thanksArticle Last Updated: 12/21/2007 06:38:40 PM ESTIn the season of giving, I'd like to take this time to acknowledge some of my most special memories from this past year.First of all, what better present to a New Englander like myself than another Red Sox World Series championship? It was an epic 86-year drought that plagued Red Sox nation before they achieved their title in 2004. That championship was for all those who had waited so long, and those who never got to see a Sox championship in their lifetime. Winning it all in 2007 was for us, for the generation of Sox fans spoiled with boundless talent and competent management. And for all those who think New England's Fenway Park will still sell out next year as a new baseball dynasty is established. depended on misery, let's see if the numbers back that up; for some reason I think * I accomplished a dream of mine and worked in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Christopher Shays, R-4. Ever since high school, I've had an interest in government and public service, so working in the Capitol and observing government in action was a treat for any wide-eyed political science major. There are still things I like and dislike about the federal government, but seeing how government can bring out the best and worst in people is a lesson I intend on holding onto forever.
Most importantly, the continued safety of my cousin Josh who is currently stationed in Iraq is something I'm especially grateful for during the Christmas season. Both Josh and his brother Luke enlisted in the Marines with the intention of serving our country. No matter what I have done and what I will do in life, none of it will compare to the selflessness and sacrifice displayed by my cousins. They are role models in my life and a source of inspiration as to why we should continue to support our troops.
Of course there are many other things I'm thankful for over the past year, but I can only hope I'll be as blessed in the upcoming year. So during this holiday season, take some time out of your day and reflect on all that you've been given. I guarantee that we can all find something for which we should give thanks.
Thomas Lambert, of Fairfield, is a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and a former editor of CTTeens. You may reach him at ctteens@ctpost.com.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Forgive Me
OK, this one slayed me. I couldn't resist lifting this from The Politico and posting it here. Pure gold.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Trying Something New... Work
It never ends. Ever since I got home from freshman year at Pepperdine this April, I've been at work. I'm an intern at the Fairfield Probate Court over the summers and breaks, and of course I'm recently retired from my internship on Capitol Hill working for Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4). And so it is, back to work in the Probate Court until I off for London after the start of the new year. While I'm not shedding any tears over the decline in value of the Dollar (as i hope to post about later on - Oh goody, a blog post about the ECONOMY! Whooopeee!), it's going to make things difficult for lads and lasses like myself studying abroad. Hence the dire need to put in as many hours as possible before I go broke over there. Seriously, I have visions of begging for food money in Hyde Park this time next month.
I love the Probate Court as it's staffed by good folks and a fantastic boss in Judge Dan Caruso. Its just I may find the working lifestyle easy to give up when I go abroad. I almost forgot I'm at college... to study. Isn't that like practice for the real deal, not actually DOING? I kid. But seriously, I wonder what it's like not to worry about walking the fine line between business formal and business casual. I guess we'll find out. It's going to take some transition time to remember what it's like to be a student again.
I love the Probate Court as it's staffed by good folks and a fantastic boss in Judge Dan Caruso. Its just I may find the working lifestyle easy to give up when I go abroad. I almost forgot I'm at college... to study. Isn't that like practice for the real deal, not actually DOING? I kid. But seriously, I wonder what it's like not to worry about walking the fine line between business formal and business casual. I guess we'll find out. It's going to take some transition time to remember what it's like to be a student again.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
My Christmas List*
*No, not an actual list of items I want (though tickets to any of the shows put on by any of these musicians would cause me to be indebted to you [And yeah, I know, a lot of these guys are dead/don't have "it" anymore. I was born 30 years late.]). I'm trying to put together a list of seasonal songs that don't suck. I can go either way on Christmas music in general, but 'tis the season and everything, right? So I've compiled (and burned) the following as the best I can come up with thus far. And yes, there is a clear Rock bend to this list. That's the point, duh.
1. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney & Wings (This really isn't all that great of a song... and I'm a big Macca fan, too. I put this song here more out of respect, though I think a Beatle could do better...)
2. Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On - Ringo Starr (... and here it is. Yay. Way to go Ringo. This song was buried in all of the best Christmas music lists I've pursued. But I think it's tremendous.)
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon (I'm not a fan of taking the "Christ" out of Christmas, but the song is solid. Plus it gives you something to think about... or something.)
4. Ding Dong, Ding Dong - George Harrison (OK, not Christmas, but this is seasonal remember. Would've been an even better tune had Harrison not been hoarse during the recording. Oh well.)
5. Jingle Bell Rock - Daryl Hall & John Oates (Now back to your regularly scheduled, non-Beatles Christmas party. Hall & Oates have a decent Christmas album and their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock holds up to the rest of what I was looking for here.)
6. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys (A Christmas time staple. Any respectable Christmas collection has this on it. Whether or not you like the Beach Boys is irrelevant. Leaving this song out is like having cereal for Thanksgiving dinner.)
7. Back Door Santa - Jet (I'll admit it: I love Jet. Sure, they may be knock-offs of the rock bands of yesteryear, but I dig that. A lot.)
8. Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles (Of all the songs on here, this is probably my favorite "moody" Christmas song. If you're blue this holiday season or long for the love of one who is not by your side, play this song on repeat. Even if you're perfectly happy, keep playing this song. I love this song, but then again I don't hate the Eagles like some do.)
9. Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters (When I was a lad, my mom would have 3 CD's in her car to listen to: The Grease Soundtrack, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Willy and the Poor Boys, and The Carpenters' Gold Collection. Thus, I have an irrational love for all three. And yes, I know all the words.)
10. Step Into Christmas - Elton John (I don't feel bad one bit for loving Elton John's music, especially this Christmas tune. It's really good, actually.)
11. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (To tell you the truth, I don't really like Tom Petty all that much. At least not as much as one would expect. But this is THE CHRISTMAS SONG... or at least a close second to the Kinks. Seriously, this track alone makes any Christmas mix passable.)
12. I Believe in Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Probably the most underrated Christmas song in my humble opinion. The band wasn't as special as it could've been, but the song is quality all around.)
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies (I don't like Barenaked Ladies, nor do I like the way they play this suite. So chalk this one up as a reach, a space-filler. But I do love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in general - it's probably my favorite traditional Christmas hymn. Suggestions for any better versions of this song are appreciated.)
14. Santa's Messin' With The Kid - Lynyrd Skynyrd (I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this song leaves something to be desired. Filler/respect placement.)
15. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry (Yes. The man himself, Chuck Berry delivers on this classic. See above, re: Little Saint Nick.)
16. Father Christmas - The Kinks (I keep going back and forth whether this or Tom Petty's tune are the best Christmas rock song. Going solely by the numbers, The Kinks have far more plays on my iTunes than any other Christmas song. For that reason, I'll give Father Christmas the crown, but both songs are a treat. Listen to them. Embrace them. Let them be your friend.)
17. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2 (A solid, albeit short tune. A little more meat, and this song could've been a contender.)
18. Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) - The Darkness (I kinda, sorta like The Darkness but this song fulfills all that I wanted in my list. I needed something contemporary to remind me rock isn't *completely* dead. Plus The Darkness does a good job here. A worthy addition to the mix.)
19. Lonely Without You (This Christmas) - Mick Jagger (Another one for the blue-hearted. Very well done and a nod to Sir Strutshisstuff.)
20. The Night Before Christmas - Carly Simon (Laugh all you want, Carly Simon is talented and this song delivers. Prove me wrong, I dare you.)
21. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (Sure, at this point I was just looking for classic rock bands with Christmas selections. But thats fine in this case, because Queen is always a good call. And who can't relate? Thank God it's Christmas. Amen.)
22. Christmas - The Who (Not sure if it qualifies as only parts of the song actually deal with Christmas. Still, the song is one of the best on one of the greatest, if not THE GREATEST, album of all time. Points awarded for sheer awesomeness.)
23. Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix (The best way to end any Christmas rock collection. Jimi always comes on strong and this holiday treat just reminds us of his talent on guitar. It's almost unfair.)
So there you have it. The Beatles at the top and the rest follow, as it should be. All at under 80 minutes by my count, making it nice and burnable. That's what I'll be listening to for the rest of the season until I get sick of it again... and then ready to listen next December. It's a love-hate thing. Right now, I love it...
1. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney & Wings (This really isn't all that great of a song... and I'm a big Macca fan, too. I put this song here more out of respect, though I think a Beatle could do better...)
2. Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On - Ringo Starr (... and here it is. Yay. Way to go Ringo. This song was buried in all of the best Christmas music lists I've pursued. But I think it's tremendous.)
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon (I'm not a fan of taking the "Christ" out of Christmas, but the song is solid. Plus it gives you something to think about... or something.)
4. Ding Dong, Ding Dong - George Harrison (OK, not Christmas, but this is seasonal remember. Would've been an even better tune had Harrison not been hoarse during the recording. Oh well.)
5. Jingle Bell Rock - Daryl Hall & John Oates (Now back to your regularly scheduled, non-Beatles Christmas party. Hall & Oates have a decent Christmas album and their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock holds up to the rest of what I was looking for here.)
6. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys (A Christmas time staple. Any respectable Christmas collection has this on it. Whether or not you like the Beach Boys is irrelevant. Leaving this song out is like having cereal for Thanksgiving dinner.)
7. Back Door Santa - Jet (I'll admit it: I love Jet. Sure, they may be knock-offs of the rock bands of yesteryear, but I dig that. A lot.)
8. Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles (Of all the songs on here, this is probably my favorite "moody" Christmas song. If you're blue this holiday season or long for the love of one who is not by your side, play this song on repeat. Even if you're perfectly happy, keep playing this song. I love this song, but then again I don't hate the Eagles like some do.)
9. Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters (When I was a lad, my mom would have 3 CD's in her car to listen to: The Grease Soundtrack, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Willy and the Poor Boys, and The Carpenters' Gold Collection. Thus, I have an irrational love for all three. And yes, I know all the words.)
10. Step Into Christmas - Elton John (I don't feel bad one bit for loving Elton John's music, especially this Christmas tune. It's really good, actually.)
11. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (To tell you the truth, I don't really like Tom Petty all that much. At least not as much as one would expect. But this is THE CHRISTMAS SONG... or at least a close second to the Kinks. Seriously, this track alone makes any Christmas mix passable.)
12. I Believe in Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Probably the most underrated Christmas song in my humble opinion. The band wasn't as special as it could've been, but the song is quality all around.)
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies (I don't like Barenaked Ladies, nor do I like the way they play this suite. So chalk this one up as a reach, a space-filler. But I do love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in general - it's probably my favorite traditional Christmas hymn. Suggestions for any better versions of this song are appreciated.)
14. Santa's Messin' With The Kid - Lynyrd Skynyrd (I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this song leaves something to be desired. Filler/respect placement.)
15. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry (Yes. The man himself, Chuck Berry delivers on this classic. See above, re: Little Saint Nick.)
16. Father Christmas - The Kinks (I keep going back and forth whether this or Tom Petty's tune are the best Christmas rock song. Going solely by the numbers, The Kinks have far more plays on my iTunes than any other Christmas song. For that reason, I'll give Father Christmas the crown, but both songs are a treat. Listen to them. Embrace them. Let them be your friend.)
17. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2 (A solid, albeit short tune. A little more meat, and this song could've been a contender.)
18. Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) - The Darkness (I kinda, sorta like The Darkness but this song fulfills all that I wanted in my list. I needed something contemporary to remind me rock isn't *completely* dead. Plus The Darkness does a good job here. A worthy addition to the mix.)
19. Lonely Without You (This Christmas) - Mick Jagger (Another one for the blue-hearted. Very well done and a nod to Sir Strutshisstuff.)
20. The Night Before Christmas - Carly Simon (Laugh all you want, Carly Simon is talented and this song delivers. Prove me wrong, I dare you.)
21. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (Sure, at this point I was just looking for classic rock bands with Christmas selections. But thats fine in this case, because Queen is always a good call. And who can't relate? Thank God it's Christmas. Amen.)
22. Christmas - The Who (Not sure if it qualifies as only parts of the song actually deal with Christmas. Still, the song is one of the best on one of the greatest, if not THE GREATEST, album of all time. Points awarded for sheer awesomeness.)
23. Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix (The best way to end any Christmas rock collection. Jimi always comes on strong and this holiday treat just reminds us of his talent on guitar. It's almost unfair.)
So there you have it. The Beatles at the top and the rest follow, as it should be. All at under 80 minutes by my count, making it nice and burnable. That's what I'll be listening to for the rest of the season until I get sick of it again... and then ready to listen next December. It's a love-hate thing. Right now, I love it...
Upcoming Column
I just penned a column for the Post about being thankful for certain things around the holidays. Unfortunately it has to follow the 405 word limit, so it'll be on the shorter side. Look for it to run around Christmas weekend.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Cover boy
If you log on to www.pepperdine.edu, my mug shot should appear right on the home page (you may need to refresh the home page a few times). Pepperdine did a student spotlight on me and here is the piece, as written by Lyric Hassler:
Student Spotlight: Thomas Lambert
School: Seaver College
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
Career Goal: To work in public service or Constitutional law
Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut
Unique Interests: The Boston Red Sox, classic rock bands, and Guitar HeroThomas Lambert approaches life with a pen in hand and politics in mind. The Seaver College sophomore contributes articles and op-eds to the Connecticut Post and recently completed a semester in Pepperdine’s Washington, D.C. internship program. There he worked for his home-state Representative Christopher Shays and learned a few things about life in the Beltway. Before heading off to his next adventure (a semester in Pepperdine’s London program), Lambert took some time to describe how his time in Washington impacted his life, and how he's taking the reins in his education.
Tell us about your experience in the Washington, D.C. internship program.
I was fortunate to work for an amazing Congressman who represents my home district. Every day I saw him pour his heart and soul into his job to best represent the people of our district. It was really important for me, personally, considering the people I was working to help are my neighbors and friends.
In my internship, I had significant interaction with people from my community. No one realizes his duty to that community more than Congressman Shays, it seems to me. He squeezes the most out of every moment of his day for the benefit of his constituents. I’m really in awe of him and what he does.
It sounds like you had a great experience in your congressional office. What are your impressions of Washington, D.C.?
Before I got to Washington, there were aspects I liked and disliked about the city. After being there for a semester, that is still the case. Perhaps what I found most disappointing is how bureaucracy and politics create a divisive climate. Power can bring out the best and the worst in people, and that’s a lesson I intend on remembering for the rest of my life.
But Washington can be about so much more than politics. Not only is it the center of the political world, but major corporations, learning institutions, and non-government organizations all have an essential role in the make-up of the city. Washington is an incredibly active city that houses a tremendous potential for the achievement of so much good.
In my Pepperdine group, there were interns working for TV networks, the One Campaign, and communication firms. The spectrum of opportunity is so vast, it’s impossible not to find a niche there.
In addition to politics, you've found your niche as a writer for the Connecticut Post. How did your work in that field begin?
There is no doubt in my mind that I inherited my writing addiction from my mother. She worked as the assistant managing editor of the Connecticut Post and is now a journalism professor. She first got me involved in the Post’s teen publication program. The next thing I knew I was interning in the Post’s editorial desk, sitting in on editorial board meetings with local politicians, and asking questions of distinguished public servants.
Then I started writing featured columns about my life as a high school student and, later, college, as well as opinion columns about my views on political issues. I know I’m incredibly blessed to have these opportunities and I constantly look for ways to use them to reach my fullest potential and to inform my peers.
You obviously care a lot about politics. What do you say to your peers who don’t?
I’m of the belief that no one has to like or even care about politics because, ultimately, it is a free country. But, I like to say, don’t expect to be disconnected from politics and then be happy with the results because, like it or not, politics run everything!
The laws of this country affect every aspect of our lives to varying degrees, and when citizens become politically conscious, they can understand just how to make our laws work better for us.
You'll learn about the laws of a different country in your next stop: London. What motivates you to spend a semester there?
College to me wasn’t ever about spending four years on one plot of land in Malibu, or anywhere else for that matter. College is about perspective. It’s about learning. And, ultimately, it is about creating more opportunities for later on in life.
For me, the best way to accomplish these goals was to make the most of what Pepperdine has to offer, both on campus and around the world. The D.C. program helped me understand my major beyond the textbook. I am hoping that London will give me a greater perspective of how our world functions. I hope the London experience strengthens my understanding of politics, and also helps me get perspective on my own life.
I won’t say that I don’t miss Malibu. I had an incredible group of friends last year from my dorm, Peppers Hall, who are now spread across the globe. I look forward to returning junior year and seeing everybody again and continuing to have more fun and learning about each other's experiences.
Reporting by Lyric Hassler
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Chris Shays Sighting!
This one made me proud. *Sniff* a perfect end to the semester.
Christopher Shays describes himself as a casual baseball fan. He's the kind of guy who tracks the Red Sox and Yankees hardball rivalry from a distance but would never be caught dissecting box scores in the morning's Washington Post. Actually, after coming face-to-face with some of the leading characters -- namely a handful of players, commissioner Bud Selig and union leader Don Fehr -- during Congressional steroid hearings in 2005, the Connecticut lawmaker has a somewhat more jaded perspective on the game.
Rep. Shays smiles thinking back on the likes of Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro parading before the House Committee on Government Reform -- the sense of entitlement they carried on their broad shoulders, the way they dismissed allegations of widespread steroid use in the game, even though committee members suspected otherwise.
"Let me just say that they were deceitful,'' Shays, a Republican, said of the collective baseball group. "They weren't cooperative. And they were arrogant. And they were like, 'How dare you question us,' kind of attitude. And I want you to know I don't take offense at that. There are certain things as a member of Congress I don't like. But personally, I was just stunned by it because I haven't see worse behavior in anyone in my 20 years in public life in Congress.''
And so, Shays believes baseball has only itself to blame for the PR mess it's in today.
"The union is extraordinarily powerful and the commissioner doesn't run it,'' he said. "It is run by some of the major teams, as far as I can tell. You need someone who really has the [will] to do some really tough things . . . It has just been a long tradition of tolerance. The irony sometimes is people cover up in order not to give baseball a bad name, but in the process everything just ferments. It gets worse. And in the end the name suffers even more. So it is a commissioner who is not willing to take decisive action and it is a players' union that feels very privileged.''
Led Zeppelin Reunion!
Led Zeppelin came together for a one-night only concert the other night in London and the reviews have been spectacular. Talks of a full fledged tour have been circulating too. Just to hype this incredible act even more, enjoy these clips soon as their likely to be taken down by Youtube. Still, you won't regret watching. Somehow, these guys can still rock. As someone who was never fortunate enough to see Zep or any of the other great bands perform live in their heyday, it's pretty encouraging to see some of these guys still have it in them. I'm struggling to think of a price that would be too high for me to see them in concert; I may just blow my whole life's savings.
NEWS REPORT- Black Dog
KASHMIR
Stairway to Heaven
Good Times, Bad Times
NEWS REPORT- Black Dog
KASHMIR
Stairway to Heaven
Good Times, Bad Times
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Surfs Up
The Pepperdine Men's basketball team just completed an 83-65 victory over the perennial NCAA tourney team Pacific last night. The win is significant because it brings the Waves to 5-6 thus far this season, just three wins shy of their total from all of last year. Pepperdine is clearly a team on the rise after some pretty fallow years. New coach Vance Walberg, a success on the JUCO circuit and responsible for showing Memphis coach Jim Calapari the system he now uses, has a distinctive way to run his team that requires certain players. Simply put, the player he inherited last year were not the right fit. This year, though, the stellar recruits Walberg landed are living up to the hype. Granted they are freshman and inexperience has dealt numerous blows to the team, but with the expected maturity, this team should be fun to watch. That includes the recruits coming in next year which by all accounts seem great in and of themselves.
So as the schedule increases in difficulty, including a big game at Memphis, look for the team to make some news and play some competitive ball.
So as the schedule increases in difficulty, including a big game at Memphis, look for the team to make some news and play some competitive ball.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A Whole Lotta Dome
Congressman Shays was kind enough to bring us interns up to the top of the Capitol dome for a tour on this snowy Wednesday. Enjoy some of the pics:
Before going on the tour, a candid view of the office.
Interns Brian and Chris outside the office.
I'm all about the Connecticut pride.
Me posing with my favorite statue in the Capitol.
Congressman Shays pointing out some of the details of Brumidi's work.
The men of the office atop the Capitol Dome.
Look at that talent.
View of Longworth from outside the Dome.
View of the Mall from outside the Dome.
Me with the Mall in the background.
Goofing off atop the Capitol Dome.
Conquering the District.
Hope you enjoyed. This really was a treat for the rest of the interns and I as it's quite an honor to go to the Capitol Dome. This is the last week of my internship so I'm really trying to treasure these moments while at the same time getting as much work out of the way as possible. This has been an incredible semester to say the least with so much learned. I hope to better encapsulate my thoughts later on in the blog. But for now, I offer some images of my last week.
Before going on the tour, a candid view of the office.
Interns Brian and Chris outside the office.
I'm all about the Connecticut pride.
Me posing with my favorite statue in the Capitol.
Congressman Shays pointing out some of the details of Brumidi's work.
The men of the office atop the Capitol Dome.
Look at that talent.
View of Longworth from outside the Dome.
View of the Mall from outside the Dome.
Me with the Mall in the background.
Goofing off atop the Capitol Dome.
Conquering the District.Hope you enjoyed. This really was a treat for the rest of the interns and I as it's quite an honor to go to the Capitol Dome. This is the last week of my internship so I'm really trying to treasure these moments while at the same time getting as much work out of the way as possible. This has been an incredible semester to say the least with so much learned. I hope to better encapsulate my thoughts later on in the blog. But for now, I offer some images of my last week.
Monday, December 3, 2007
SWAMPED!
I had a fantastic weekend at home and in the city this weekend, but I now have to deal with the inevitible crush of work that's been building up. I'll try to resurface soon, hopefully with some good news that's in the works (possibly more media profiles of me or the like). Until then, keep me and all other interns and sutdents in your thoughts as this crucial time for work comes to a close!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
New York, New York
In the city for this weekend, looking to peek some snowflakes. Its my second to last weekend before the semester ends so we're all trying to scramble and do as much as we can. I volunteered for the California contingent heading north. Catch you on the flip side!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
America: Sunny Side Up
A great piece by David Brooks in the New York Times today rebuking the fear-mongering by many out there looking to mischaracterize the truth and prey on the American spirit. Anyone buying into the defeatest attitude being spewed by politicians and pundits alike should take a breather and read this enlightening piece. Take a peek:
So it’s worth pointing out now more than ever that Dobbsianism is fundamentally wrong. It plays on legitimate anxieties, but it rests at heart on a more existential fear — the fear that America is under assault and is fundamentally fragile. It rests on fears that the America we once knew is bleeding
away.And that’s just not true. In the first place, despite the ups and downs
of the business cycle, the United States still possesses the most potent economy
on earth. Recently the World Economic Forum and the International Institute for
Management Development produced global competitiveness indexes, and once again they both ranked the United States first in the world.In the World Economic Forum survey, the U.S. comes in just ahead of Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Germany (China is 34th). The U.S. gets poor marks for macroeconomic stability (the long-term federal debt), for its tax structure and for the low savings rate. But it leads the world in a range of categories: higher education and training, labor market flexibility, the ability to attract global talent, the availability of venture capital, the quality of corporate management and the capacity to innovate.
William W. Lewis of McKinsey surveyed global competitive in dozens of business sectors a few years ago, and concluded, “The United States is the productivity leader in virtually every industry.”
...
The American economy benefits from low levels of corruption. American culture still transmits some ineffable spirit of adventure. American students can’t compete with, say, Singaporean students on standardized tests, but they are innovative and creative throughout their lives. The U.S. standard of living first surpassed the rest of the world’s in about 1740, and despite dozens of cycles of declinist foreboding, the country has resolutely refused to decay.
Third, not every economic dislocation has been caused by trade and the Chinese. Between 1991 and 2007, the U.S. trade deficit exploded to $818 billion from $31 billion. Yet as Robert Samuelson has pointed out, during that time the U.S. created 28 million jobs and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.6 percent from 6.8 percent.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Could It Be? The Surge is... Working???
Just came across this editorial from that conservative bastion, the Boston Globe. Many good points have been made and it seems that the collective conscious of the media seems to be shifting. It's gone from doom and gloom to "hey, wait a minute." The question for Democrats who, as the columnist pointed out are "invested in defeat," is should they abandon a strategy of proclaiming failure that has thus far worked for them, or should they have an honest analysis of the facts and see this thing through? Here's the article with some of my favorite parts:
Now I for one still blame the administration for its handling of the war from the moment the government was toppled to the moments before the surge as one of the worst management examples in a long time. Let's not forget how absolutely horrible the war was, how much chaos there was in Baghdad and throughout the country, and how feeble the administration was in addressing needs. And last year I was the biggest proponent of just brining our troops home right there and then. But luckily the surge, coupled with the sheer will of the Iraqi people as a whole and by the fighting spirit of our men and women in uniform, is working as of now. The important steps at this point are to foster that success with continuous promotion of Iraqi independence in the military, and a swift kick in the behind to the Iraqi government. Success is attainable if we're all on the same page and we're all firing on all cylinders.
It is quite evident that our men and women in uniform have paid the ultimate sacrifice far too many times and would have been better off with better leadership from the onset, but from what I know from people personally involved in fighting the conflict, we owe it to our troops to continue to support them both here and abroad. And that means having a government that, should the executive branch change parties, doesn't run from our troops or the work they have accomplished. Hopefully all those that still accuse Americans who believe in our troops that we can't accept the fact we have lost a war will in turn realize their own hypocrisy and hear the good news that is *finally* streaming from even the media at this point.
Let's hear it for good news from Iraq. No reason we can't all be happy with good news. Unless you have too much invested in the bad...
THE NEWS from Iraq has been so encouraging in recent months that last week even the mainstream media finally sat up and took notice. Can the Democratic Party be far behind?
In a story titled "Baghdad Comes Alive," Rod Nordland reports in the current Newsweek on the heartening transformation underway in the Iraqi capital:
"Returning to Baghdad after an absence of four months," he writes, "I can actually say that things do seem to have gotten better, and in ways that may even be durable . . . There hasn't been a successful suicide car bombing in Baghdad in five weeks . . . Al Qaeda in Iraq is starting to look like a spent force, especially in Baghdad."
The signs of life, Nordland acknowledges "grudgingly" - his word - are undeniable.
"Emerging from our bunkers into the Red Zone, I see the results everywhere. Throughout Baghdad, shops and street markets are open late again, taking advantage of the fine November weather. Parks are crowded with strollers, and kids play soccer on the streets. Traffic has resumed its customary epic snarl. . . . The Shorja bazaar in old Baghdad, hit by at least six different car bombs killing hundreds in the last year, is again crowded with people among the narrow tented stalls. On nearby Al-Rasheed Street, the famous booksellers are back in business . . . People are buying alcohol again - as they always had in Baghdad, until religious extremists forced many neighborhood liquor shops to close."
Newsweek's isn't the only big media voice bringing tidings of comfort and joy from the Iraqi theatre.
On Tuesday, The
New York Times led its front page with a good-news headline - "Baghdad Starts to Exhale as Security Improves" - and a large photo of an Iraqi bride and groom, bedecked in wedding finery and accompanied by a band. Below that: a picture of smiling diners at Al Faris, a restaurant on the Tigris riverbank that is booming once again. Inside, across four columns, another photo showed an outdoor foosball game in Baghdad's Haifa Street, once dubbed the "Street of Fear" because it was the scene of so many lethal sectarian attacks.In another Page 1 story the day before ("U.S. Says Attacks in Iraq Fell to the Level of Early Last Year"), the Times recounted some of the auspicious data: civilian fatalities down 75 percent in recent months, Iraqi security-force casualties down 40 percent, total weekly attacks nationwide down nearly two-thirds since June. The Los Angeles Times, too, fronted a story on the promising developments, reporting on an "unexpected flowering of sectarian cooperation" in which "Sunnis and Shi'ites are joining hands at the local level to protect their communities from militants." The results, reported the paper from the rural community of Qarghulia on Monday, "are palpable. Killings are down dramatically and public confidence is reviving."
Of course things could still change for the worse. In the Middle East there are few guarantees. Neither the US military nor the Bush administration plans to dust off that "Mission Accomplished" banner anytime soon.
Still: "By every metric used to measure the war," as The
Washington Post editorialized on Nov. 18, "there has been an enormous improvement since January." The Post credits this achievement to American soldiers in Iraq, to General David Petraeus, "and to President Bush, for making the decision to launch the surge against the advice of most of Congress and the country's foreign policy elite."With the media at last paying attention to the progress in Iraq, shouldn't leading Democrats think about doing the same? Perhaps this would be a good time for Hillary Clinton to express regret for telling Petraeus that his recent progress report on Iraq required "a willing suspension of disbelief" - in effect, calling him a liar. Perhaps Senate majority leader Harry Reid should admit that he may have been wrong to declare so emphatically: "This war is lost, and the surge is not accomplishing anything."
All of the Democratic presidential candidates have been running on a platform of abandoning Iraq. At the recent debate in Las Vegas, they refused to relax their embrace of defeat even when asked about the striking evidence of improvement. They continued to insist that "the surge is not working" (Bill Richardson), that "the occupation is fueling the insurgency" (Dennis Kucinich), and that the "strategy is failed" and we must "get our troops out" (Barack Obama).
Blind opposition to war that seems lost is understandable. But can Democrats be so invested in defeat that they would abandon even a war that may be winnable? With developments in Iraq looking so hopeful, this is no time to cling to a counsel of despair.
Now I for one still blame the administration for its handling of the war from the moment the government was toppled to the moments before the surge as one of the worst management examples in a long time. Let's not forget how absolutely horrible the war was, how much chaos there was in Baghdad and throughout the country, and how feeble the administration was in addressing needs. And last year I was the biggest proponent of just brining our troops home right there and then. But luckily the surge, coupled with the sheer will of the Iraqi people as a whole and by the fighting spirit of our men and women in uniform, is working as of now. The important steps at this point are to foster that success with continuous promotion of Iraqi independence in the military, and a swift kick in the behind to the Iraqi government. Success is attainable if we're all on the same page and we're all firing on all cylinders.
It is quite evident that our men and women in uniform have paid the ultimate sacrifice far too many times and would have been better off with better leadership from the onset, but from what I know from people personally involved in fighting the conflict, we owe it to our troops to continue to support them both here and abroad. And that means having a government that, should the executive branch change parties, doesn't run from our troops or the work they have accomplished. Hopefully all those that still accuse Americans who believe in our troops that we can't accept the fact we have lost a war will in turn realize their own hypocrisy and hear the good news that is *finally* streaming from even the media at this point.
Let's hear it for good news from Iraq. No reason we can't all be happy with good news. Unless you have too much invested in the bad...
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
May not be able to get on the blog tomorrow, so let this serve as my best Thanksgiving wishes to everyone. Remember to put a can or more in some collection boxes you may see during your day or a few dollars toward a local food pantry. While many of us are so blessed with everything and anything, please keep in mind that are down on their luck or just need some help.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with friends and/or family and look forward to blogging some more very soon!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Counting Down...
Hours away from a nice break for home for Thanksgiving. I can smell the apple pie already...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Twilight of His Career
No this post is not an attempt to prove the doubters wrong about Congressman Shays' future. He is running again and is very excited to do so. Rather, I read a blog post at a premier Red Sox fan board I frequent regarding the infamous quote allegedly made by then Red Sox GM Dan Duquette to slight future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens. Here it is for ya:
For those that are mercilessly subject to the misrepresentation of this quote, it certainly is interesting, isn't it?Infamous quote from former Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette, speaking about pitcher Roger Clemens.
Most members of the media (who have used the quote for years to ridicule both Duquette and the Red Sox in general) and fans believe Duquette was speaking about Clemens's last few years with the Sox and the decision not to resign him as a free agent. ... However, this is not completely accurate.
Here is the quote:
End of an Era - No return fire from Sox - Brass tried to keep ace
By Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
December 14, 1996
The Red Sox brass kept a mostly stiff upper lip yesterday, putting the shiniest gloss possible on the news that lifelong Sox Roger Clemens had left the fold.
Restraining themselves from returning the type of salvos that Clemens threw at the club, and particularly Dan Duquette, during his press conference in Toronto, the general manager and CEO John Harrington were more subtle.
The Sox were officially "disappointed" but far from devastated at losing Clemens, who, over 13 seasons, compiled a 192-111 record, three Cy Youngs, two 20-strikeout games and a share of the team lead with Cy Young for most wins and shutouts (38).
"The Red Sox and our fans were fortunate to see Roger Clemens play in his prime and we had hoped to keep him in Boston during the twilight of his career," said Duquette, who joined Harrington on a conference call yesterday afternoon. "We just want to let the fans know that we worked extremely hard to sign Roger Clemens. . . . We made him a substantial, competitive offer, by far the most money ever offered to a player in the history of the Red Sox franchise.
"Unfortunately, we just couldn't get together. We were hoping he could finish his career as a Red Sox and we also wanted him to establish a relationship beyond his playing career. We wanted him to have the status of a Ted Williams, but at the end of the day we couldn't get it done." ...
It turns out that the "twilight" Duquette was talking about was not 1994-96, but from 1997 on (if Clemens had decided to stay in Boston). And his "twilight" comment was made AFTER Clemens had signed with the Blue Jays, not during contract negotiations.
It is also worth nothing that in 1996, Clemens himself believed his career was coming to a close. On September 18, 1996, the day he struck out 20 Tigers, Clemens told the Globe: "If you work hard enough, good things will happen to you. I know I'm winding down. The wins haven't fallen my way this year."
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Free Rice
Here at Tavern Banter, charity is always welcomed as a means of helping our fellow man. This is a perfect, easy way to do that. It's a Web site called "Free Rice" where one plays a vocabulary game with winning answers earning free rice for the world's hungry through the United Nations. It's a perfect game to play as we get ready for this Thanksgiving season and a great way to fill in the time if you're a little bored. Please, check it out!
A-Rod Crawls Back? Hardly.
I'm still having trouble understanding the saga of Alex Rodriguez's off season. It began in October after the Yankees were nearly swept in the first round against the Cleveland Indians as questions surrounded the future of not only Rodriguez, but also closer Mariano Rivera, catcher Jorge Posada, ace Andy Pettitte, and manager Joe Torre. Quickly, those questions sorted themselves out as Torre was shown the door for former Yankee catcher/bench coach and NL Manager of the Year Joe Girardi, Posada was given a four-year deal that makes sure Posada's grandkids don't have to work again, Pettitte opted out of coming back, and Rivera has been offered the most lucrative contract of any reliever (though he has yet to accept).
But A-Rod's story has been, in a word, weird. His original deal signed with the Texas Rangers included a clause that allowed him to opt out of his contract after a certain period of time. After much speculation and a very fat offer from the Yankees to the tune of $350 million dollars, A-Rod and his agent Scott Bora$ announced during the later innings of the World Series that the star third baseman would not be rejoining the Yankees. As classless as a move as it was to announce that at that particular time, it seemed to me at least a pretty clear "F U" and the end of their faulty relationship. But it now turns out it wasn't the end. It's being portrayed in the media that Rodriguez crawled back to the Yankees without his agent Scott Boras advising him, but rather billionaire Warren Buffet. A-Rod would be making significantly less as the contract was negotiated on the Yankees terms, a 10 year/$275 million dollar deal. But this is in no way a loss for Rodriguez aside from his reputation. One has to wonder how much he had to grovel at the feet of Hank Steinbrenner to squeak out 10 year deal. And he gets a huge bonus should he set the all time home run record. So while the media portrays A-Rod as a big loser, forgive me if I don't buy into that story. I mean, the guy is loaded once gain and if anything looks like he REALLY wants to play in pinstripes. And let him. The richest man in baseball has yet to deliver a championship to the Bronx, and for a team that once was the dynasty of baseball, they will be playing catch-up to the Red Sox.
But A-Rod's story has been, in a word, weird. His original deal signed with the Texas Rangers included a clause that allowed him to opt out of his contract after a certain period of time. After much speculation and a very fat offer from the Yankees to the tune of $350 million dollars, A-Rod and his agent Scott Bora$ announced during the later innings of the World Series that the star third baseman would not be rejoining the Yankees. As classless as a move as it was to announce that at that particular time, it seemed to me at least a pretty clear "F U" and the end of their faulty relationship. But it now turns out it wasn't the end. It's being portrayed in the media that Rodriguez crawled back to the Yankees without his agent Scott Boras advising him, but rather billionaire Warren Buffet. A-Rod would be making significantly less as the contract was negotiated on the Yankees terms, a 10 year/$275 million dollar deal. But this is in no way a loss for Rodriguez aside from his reputation. One has to wonder how much he had to grovel at the feet of Hank Steinbrenner to squeak out 10 year deal. And he gets a huge bonus should he set the all time home run record. So while the media portrays A-Rod as a big loser, forgive me if I don't buy into that story. I mean, the guy is loaded once gain and if anything looks like he REALLY wants to play in pinstripes. And let him. The richest man in baseball has yet to deliver a championship to the Bronx, and for a team that once was the dynasty of baseball, they will be playing catch-up to the Red Sox.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Neverland
It is hard to think that this semester is almost over for me. In under a month, I'll be on Christmas break and gearing up for a semester abroad in London and Greece where hopefully I can open my eyes to even more perspective in the world. But if next semester is anything like this, it'll be over before I know it. Even with the long days and constant flow of work, both in the office and in the classroom, it seems as if this semester has just slipped away from under me. To me, that's a pretty alarming realization as I'm sort of a romantic with my college experience: I love it so much, I want to to last as long as possible or at least seem that way. I know seniors in the program who are graduating in the spring but swear they were freshmen just last week.
I suppose I have to come to terms with the harsh reality of a college career creeping faster and faster toward the real work life. And not that I'm shying away from my future, I just wish I could better enjoy my present. If I have to have any major problem with my life thus far (which I absolutely know is a better shake in comparison to a lot of other folks' situation), its that I haven't made the most of each moment and lived it to the fullest. At the risk of sounding cocky, I know I am capable of great things and I hope more than anything to live out my potential. It's just way too easy for me now to avoid the future and hide behind the curtain of my college years. Can you blame me? Things are going beyond well, I really am blessed in almost every way. I'm comfortable with things the way they are now. I only wish that these good times can last a little longer. I don't want to blink and open my eyes to a diploma in my hand just yet.
Again, these concerns seem trivial to what others are putting up in their lives and no one realizes that more than me. As the brother of someone coping with muscular dystrophy, and the cousin of two Marines, I know I should feel incredibly lucky. And I am. I only wish I could better enjoy what has been given to me.
Here's to hoping that the skills I have developed and experiences I have achieved here in Washington, D.C. go to good use one day. But for now, I look forward to enjoying the innocent life a little longer. I'll take the responsibility one day, but if I have learned anything about working an 9-6 job for a semester, it's that i should savor what and be thankful for what I have. Because soon enough it'll be over, and there is no telling what the future holds.
I suppose I have to come to terms with the harsh reality of a college career creeping faster and faster toward the real work life. And not that I'm shying away from my future, I just wish I could better enjoy my present. If I have to have any major problem with my life thus far (which I absolutely know is a better shake in comparison to a lot of other folks' situation), its that I haven't made the most of each moment and lived it to the fullest. At the risk of sounding cocky, I know I am capable of great things and I hope more than anything to live out my potential. It's just way too easy for me now to avoid the future and hide behind the curtain of my college years. Can you blame me? Things are going beyond well, I really am blessed in almost every way. I'm comfortable with things the way they are now. I only wish that these good times can last a little longer. I don't want to blink and open my eyes to a diploma in my hand just yet.
Again, these concerns seem trivial to what others are putting up in their lives and no one realizes that more than me. As the brother of someone coping with muscular dystrophy, and the cousin of two Marines, I know I should feel incredibly lucky. And I am. I only wish I could better enjoy what has been given to me.
Here's to hoping that the skills I have developed and experiences I have achieved here in Washington, D.C. go to good use one day. But for now, I look forward to enjoying the innocent life a little longer. I'll take the responsibility one day, but if I have learned anything about working an 9-6 job for a semester, it's that i should savor what and be thankful for what I have. Because soon enough it'll be over, and there is no telling what the future holds.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Veterans Day
I got this Facebook post from my cousin the other day and it blew me away:
Josh is a Marine currently serving in Iraq. His younger brother, Luke, also enlisted and is training to become an MP in the Marines. They are both my cousins and some
of my fondest childhood moments were spent at their elbow in the ocean surf of Rhode Island or at their back hiking a trail at Yellowstone. Years have gone by since we were eating pears in my backyard or sitting side by side on my grandfather's lap, and our paths have diverged. But while time and memories have filled the gap between us, if anything my respect for my cousins has grown exponentially. They are heroes of mine in every sense of the word. On this Veterans Day, I'd just like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their sacrifice and in not-enough-words express how much they mean to me, how much they mean to my family, and how much they mean to our country.
So when I got this Facebook post from my cousin, forgive me if I shed a tear. Because while he's proud of me for being in the newspaper and for the work that I've done behind a desk, it doesn't come close in any way to what he has done in his life thus far. If anyone is honoring the Lambert family name, it is Josh and Luke.
Stay safe guys and know just how much you mean to everyone here in the States.
Joshua Lambert (Kansas City, MO) wrote
hey i got saw an article about you in a package your parents sent to me. Your a stud! your making the lamberts into a name that all will be in awe of one day.. = ] hope your takin good care of yourself. i hope to be able to send a letter back to your folks here shortly when we get a break. see ya bro.
Josh is a Marine currently serving in Iraq. His younger brother, Luke, also enlisted and is training to become an MP in the Marines. They are both my cousins and some
of my fondest childhood moments were spent at their elbow in the ocean surf of Rhode Island or at their back hiking a trail at Yellowstone. Years have gone by since we were eating pears in my backyard or sitting side by side on my grandfather's lap, and our paths have diverged. But while time and memories have filled the gap between us, if anything my respect for my cousins has grown exponentially. They are heroes of mine in every sense of the word. On this Veterans Day, I'd just like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their sacrifice and in not-enough-words express how much they mean to me, how much they mean to my family, and how much they mean to our country.So when I got this Facebook post from my cousin, forgive me if I shed a tear. Because while he's proud of me for being in the newspaper and for the work that I've done behind a desk, it doesn't come close in any way to what he has done in his life thus far. If anyone is honoring the Lambert family name, it is Josh and Luke.
Stay safe guys and know just how much you mean to everyone here in the States.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Rome
So I've been getting Netflix these past few months and have been ordering the TV series Rome. Unfortunately, only two seasons were made of Rome, but man is it a fantastic show. Blood, violence, sex, just overall poor morals... basically what one would forbid they're kid to watch. But the plots were great, it is (for the most part) historically driven, and it's never boring to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone of the appropriate age level interested in watching some quality TV programming. The only thing is, it's hard to just pick it up in the middle of a season and go with it. Hence why I started from the beginning. But I can't emphasize enough how awesome the show is. Too bad they only made two seasons... it's just gold.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dennis and the Dems
The back office was giddy with delight today as the Democrats continued to derail their own majority. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and a host of other liberals brought forth to the United States Congress articles of impeachment for Vice President Dick Cheney. It was privileged, so it was not on the Democratic hierarchy's list of goodies for the day, and Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) was furiously trying to sink his own party's bill to avoid further embarrassment. The result? Chaos.
Like or dislike or Vice President, the debate as to whether he should be impeached is just down right foolish and it showed where the Democrats' priorities are with their agenda. Not only can they not grasp what the majority of American people want them to accomplish (hey, whats the progress on those Appropriations bills?), but they have to waste hours in the day doing a silly charade to distract the American people from the core issues. And they can't even get on the same page as to how to accomplish their goals? I mean really, impeachment? It got so bad, our office was hollering at the chance to merely debate the bill and blast the latest extremist liberal attempt at ruining the Constitution. It was like watching a train wreck. And lets not forget, this is the same Dennis Kucinich who claims to have seen a UFO. And, here's the kicker, he's running to be the Democratic nominee FOR PRESIDENT. Hahahahahahahahaha....
So suffice to say, my day was pretty great. I promise some more interesting stories should they come up, but I'm not sure many can top my new favorite DC variety act: Dennis and the Dems.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Home for the Weekend... Again
Back home until Sunday night as the parents are getting an award from the Bishop for service. I'll probably head over to Fairfield Republican HQ at some point too. Catch y'all on the flip side.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Indian Summer
Today I got to attend a hearing on wildfires in relation to global warming. Here are my notes on the hearing:
House (Select) Energy Independence and Global Warming (10 a.m.): Holds a hearing on “Wildfires and the Climate Crisis.” Abigail Kimbell, chief of the U.S. Forest Service; Steven Running, professor of ecology at the University of Montana; Michael Francis, director of the Forest Program and deputy vice president of the Wilderness Society; and Michael Medler, member of Firefighters United for Safety Ethics and Ecology, and assistant professor at Huxley College, testify.
The hearing was much more contentious in the beginning than in the second session after votes. Ms. Kimbell pointed out many of the problems facing America’s forests, particularly in the West and the Great Lakes region, where rising average temperatures have led to shifts in the ecological system. This means increased life cycles for some particularly hazardous insect life that kills trees and leaves behind a wake of flammable tinder. Also discussed was the level of CO2 emissions that are released from wildfires and scientists have said that the current wildfires have spewed enough emissions into the air over the past couple weeks where they are at the same level all the power plants in California have emitted all year. What was generally accepted though was that global warming itself does not directly lead to wildfires in that wildfires do not start more frequently because the earth is warmer. However, people put themselves and forests at risk by developing deeper and deeper into forests known for wildfire activity. Many wildfires are allowed and run their course naturally without any risk to the population. But developments near fires can be filled with harmful air particles released by fires into the air causing severe illness. A few of the members attacked the administration for not giving Ms. Kimbell enough of resources to fight global warming caused by deforestization and a few questioned her policies in terms of focusing on suppressing fires versus preventing them. Thinning forests and removing brush was a widely hailed idea on both sides of the aisle for ways to contain forest fires and Republicans attempted to criticize liberal environmentalist groups who block the thinning of forests or the removal of dead trees after a fire so that a forest can be replanted. Ms. Kimbell complained that there is too much litigation her agency must go through to rehab forests after a fire and by the time they are allowed to do their work, it has lost its value. The rest of the speakers spoke in a panel after a recess and were in wide agreement global warming should be a concern for Americans in regards to wildfires and that new areas are becoming vulnerable to potential fire activity.
Global warming to me is silly to deny any longer. Climate change is quite obviously a fact, and whether or not humans are directly responsible and on what scale, it begs for us as a society to embrace more environmentally friendly policies to ensure our carbon emissions aren't ruining our planet. Environmentalism is a concern that to me transcends party lines as it belongs to neither side of the aisle; it is neither a Democratic issue nor a Republican one, though I would be the first to admit my party has done less than it should in terms of embracing environmentally responsible policies. And while some put it off as a less than immediate concern, like the bankrupting of our social security system, it does face potentially devastating consequences if gone unchecked in the present, again like social security. It's time for our government to not only embrace climate change for what it really is, but also to take steps NOW to curb global warming. It's encouraging seeing businesses begin to embrace the reality of what the American populace wants by going "green," but practical solutions go beyond alternative energies and fuel efficient cars. They touch on conservation of our land and preserving the healing powers of our planet by restoring mother nature to rule itself. When housing booms threaten these already strained forests, people not only risk the health of their environment, but risk their own health with the frequent wildfires that NATURALLY rip through a region. And when agencies like the U.S. Forest Service cannot thin forests of dry, choking brush and dead vegetation due to interest groups (liberal and conservative), we are asking for disaster. Like my notes mention, forest fires such as the ones in California, exacerbated by the consequences of global warming, produce tremendous amounts of CO2 and pollute the air with unhealthy particle emissions.
There are sensible solutions for fighting global warming that occur beyond carpooling or recycling, though the widespread practice of both are certainly effective. Its just up to the government to do its part in terms of protecting its population any way it can and not just rely on citizens to pick up the slack where the government can't deal with a tremendous problem itself. We all own this issue... it's about time the governing body caught up to where it's people stand and institute sensible global warming measures.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Happy Halloween
This past weekend, in honor of the World Series, I was able to kill two birds with one stone and throw on a Red Sox jersey as my costume. I'll try and change it up tomorrow and throw on one of these bad boys:
We have one in the Congressman's office that just kind of hangs there as a running joke that the worst intern of the week would have to wear. Except we all WANT to put it on, so now it just kind've sits at our system administrator's desk. Whats the prize for the BEST intern of the week? Think of it as a trophy:
We have one in the Congressman's office that just kind of hangs there as a running joke that the worst intern of the week would have to wear. Except we all WANT to put it on, so now it just kind've sits at our system administrator's desk. Whats the prize for the BEST intern of the week? Think of it as a trophy:
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Nation watches, waits...
In a few hours, I will either be thinking of excuses to call in sick tomorrow, or just very upset. FOX at 8... stay tuned.
Oh My Goodness Gracious!
Sox up 3-0. Break out the brooms, Boston may be sweeping.*
*Which I called, back in the ALCS, for what it's worth.
*Which I called, back in the ALCS, for what it's worth.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Live Blogging World Series, Game 1
9:17- Starting a little late, thanks to the Public Policy paper due tomorrow. I'll be live blogging tonight's World Series Game 1 and doing some casual cheering for the Sox. Very casual. We're already once through the Sox lineup which started with 3 straight K's dealt by Josh Beckett, and a 3 run first for the Sox highlighted by a lead off HR for tiny ROY Dustin Pedroia. It's currently 3-1.
9:22- Youk goes 1st to home on an Ortiz double that barely cleared the glove of Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki! The Greek God of Speed! 4-1 Good Guys.
9:40- Uh oh, they're showing the Doppler. Rain is falling steady at Fenway... this isn't good!
9:53- Beckett K's his 6th with a man on second in the top of the 4th. Man is he dealing tonight. I swear, the guy gets even better under the spotlight. He's some kind of awesome.
9:54- Posted that too soon. 7 K's through 4 for Beckett heading into the bottom of the inning with a 4-1 lead.
10:11- Varitek with a 2 RBI double down the left field line to put the Sox up 6-1 with two out and men on second a third. A hit here by Drew blows this game wide open for the Sox.
10:24- Beckett with 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk through 5 innings of work. Can we pitch him every day?
10:37- Game = blown open. After Ellsbury gets balked to second, Youk drives him in on a double and is driven in himself by Big Papi who scorches his own double to right center. 8-1 Red Sox, bottom 5.
10:48- It's official: the game is a laugher. 10-1 with the bases loaded, bottom of the 5th still. Who's pitching tomorrow?
11:02- 34 minutes later, the inning is finally over. 7 runs later, one is left wondering... Sox in 4 or 5?
11:16- Live blogging update on my paper: onto page 3! It's a nail-biter, folks!
11:25- Anyone wanna guess when this will end? I have to get some sleep.
11:28- Buck and McCarver wondering why Beckett is out there in the 7th with a 12 run lead. Well, gee, he only has 81 pitches and why burn more relievers when you don't know what tomorrow will bring? He'll be pitching on full rest anyway in Game 5... why the need to conserve him now?
11:43- Still 13-1 heading into the 8th. Yawn.
12:07- Gagne finishes off the game that has gone on into tomorrow. 13-1 final and we'll see you later for game two!
By the way, are we positive Josh Beckett is not the second coming? It deserves to at least be investigated. I could believe it.
9:22- Youk goes 1st to home on an Ortiz double that barely cleared the glove of Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki! The Greek God of Speed! 4-1 Good Guys.
9:40- Uh oh, they're showing the Doppler. Rain is falling steady at Fenway... this isn't good!
9:53- Beckett K's his 6th with a man on second in the top of the 4th. Man is he dealing tonight. I swear, the guy gets even better under the spotlight. He's some kind of awesome.
9:54- Posted that too soon. 7 K's through 4 for Beckett heading into the bottom of the inning with a 4-1 lead.
10:11- Varitek with a 2 RBI double down the left field line to put the Sox up 6-1 with two out and men on second a third. A hit here by Drew blows this game wide open for the Sox.
10:24- Beckett with 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk through 5 innings of work. Can we pitch him every day?
10:37- Game = blown open. After Ellsbury gets balked to second, Youk drives him in on a double and is driven in himself by Big Papi who scorches his own double to right center. 8-1 Red Sox, bottom 5.
10:48- It's official: the game is a laugher. 10-1 with the bases loaded, bottom of the 5th still. Who's pitching tomorrow?
11:02- 34 minutes later, the inning is finally over. 7 runs later, one is left wondering... Sox in 4 or 5?
11:16- Live blogging update on my paper: onto page 3! It's a nail-biter, folks!
11:25- Anyone wanna guess when this will end? I have to get some sleep.
11:28- Buck and McCarver wondering why Beckett is out there in the 7th with a 12 run lead. Well, gee, he only has 81 pitches and why burn more relievers when you don't know what tomorrow will bring? He'll be pitching on full rest anyway in Game 5... why the need to conserve him now?
11:43- Still 13-1 heading into the 8th. Yawn.
12:07- Gagne finishes off the game that has gone on into tomorrow. 13-1 final and we'll see you later for game two!
By the way, are we positive Josh Beckett is not the second coming? It deserves to at least be investigated. I could believe it.
Grasping for Straws
Politics is an ugly business, there is no doubt about that. My time here in DC has confirmed that, if not by the fantastically sadistic phone calls and letters we get than by the baptism by fire an intern has to be ready for while in government. Let's face it, government isn't a sexy place to be, as well as it shouldn't be since there are countless broken, corrupt parts that make up the Beltway. Fans are few and hard to come by in constituent contact to our office, but again, thats just the nature of the beast for every office.
But in many ways, my internship has been characterized by experiences outside of being handcuffed to a copier. I've had opportunities to sit in on tons of enlightening hearings and briefings and witnessed first hand democracy at work. I'm truly blessed and I wouldn't take anything back.
Then to make things even more incredible, the outstanding Washington correspondant for the Connecticut Post, Peter Urban, contacted our office and I was fortunate enough to be the subject of an article. Granted, this piece was not designed to be Pulitzer prize winning material, but rather a piece to help the folks back home gain some insight into who is working (without pay) for their best interests. In the interest of full disclosure, I have a few ties to the Post from my mom being a former employee to my own internship for the Post's Editorial section. I know and trust the paper and the resulting article couldn't have pleased me more. To think of the opportunity to make PAGE 4 of the Post! This soon in my life! It was such a rush. And the reaction to it from everyone was so positive. I honestly feel like I've done something special.
But remember, this is politics, and its a nasty business... I accept that and welcome that. And the man I work for, Chris Shays, is no stranger to the most brutal and unwarranted of attacks. So be it no surprise that those who continue to mischaracterize one of the brightest, most kind hearted, and moderate leaders on the Hill have to go to such lengths to attack him that they stretch far beyond the usual ad hominem salvos. That's right, they go after an intern.
My oh my, aren't the internet and the blogosphere a great invention? To think, we now have the capacity to totally and blatantly miss the forest for the trees in a way that means our liberal, basement dwelling brethren can act as surrogate demi-gods and critique pay-less, college, wide-eyed kids. Is this what it's come to?
And we're not talking about kids who are ignorantly challenging the establishment because its cool or questioning authority because we're know-it-alls... but kids who are trying to help themselves and their community by taking advantage of opportunities to make a difference. Kids who not only talk about rocking the vote, but actually show up on election day and the days leading up to it on the campaign trail. Kids who are conscious enough to get involved and take advantage of the qualities God gave them. Perhaps I've totally crossed over to pretentious mode, but I think I've reached that plateau of being plugged in and aware.
But that doesn't satisfy the liberal mob who must have blood. Once they've had their fill of Chris Shays, they move on to the interns. Thats what the blog-post about me has boiled down to: attacking kids. Whether it be the condescending "We want you to make the most of your internship" all the way to the ignorant "He should have better heroes/role models," to the crazy "you will one day realize the shame of working for Shays" and the baffling "why hasn't he enlisted?" What isn't twisted from the Post story itself is simply fabricated and my personality and record butchered. As an intern in the office, I know the general deal with MyLeftNutmeg. Only they take themselves seriously in their self-aggrandizing mirror. But behind the binary curtain, they're exposed as liberal nutjobs that would make Michael Moore proud. Virtually no attack has merit, so be it no surprise that neither does the one on interns.
And man do they grasp for straws.
I'm super pumped I got to meet Chevy Chase. I told Peter Urban that. It fit the tone of the story. And now apparently I hate the troops. Are you kidding me? No attempt at honest dialogue was made. None. No benefit of the doubt was given to a kid. None. They came close... they asked rhetorical, loaded questions of what I could possibly believe, but in the end the worst was assumed. And why? Because they are desperate, petty, Shays-hating liberals.
You want my views on Iraq, scroll down to where I explain my disgust for the way Bush handled the war, how the Democrats would be even worse for it, and how it does touch me personally seeing as I have a grandfather who is a veteran of WWII, an uncle who is a graduate of West Point and recently retired a Lt. Col. in the Army, and two cousins in the Marines, one of which is currently in Iraq. But yeah, the war hasn't touched me. Yeah, I need new heroes.
If anything, the referenced tripe from the liberal fairyland can stand on its own unintentional comedy for the desperation and ridiculousness it oozes in every petty paragraph. This is the current state of liberal America: attacking kids. I only felt compelled to respond because of the personal nature of the attacks, otherwise I wouldn't even dignify it with a response. But come on, enough is enough. If any of the folks there would have the courage to apologize, I would gladly accept it in the name of forgiveness. But until then, I suggest they think long and hard at who they put in the cross hairs and what they want their Web site to be labeled as. Because right now, it's sitting pretty between grabage and idiocy.
But in many ways, my internship has been characterized by experiences outside of being handcuffed to a copier. I've had opportunities to sit in on tons of enlightening hearings and briefings and witnessed first hand democracy at work. I'm truly blessed and I wouldn't take anything back.
Then to make things even more incredible, the outstanding Washington correspondant for the Connecticut Post, Peter Urban, contacted our office and I was fortunate enough to be the subject of an article. Granted, this piece was not designed to be Pulitzer prize winning material, but rather a piece to help the folks back home gain some insight into who is working (without pay) for their best interests. In the interest of full disclosure, I have a few ties to the Post from my mom being a former employee to my own internship for the Post's Editorial section. I know and trust the paper and the resulting article couldn't have pleased me more. To think of the opportunity to make PAGE 4 of the Post! This soon in my life! It was such a rush. And the reaction to it from everyone was so positive. I honestly feel like I've done something special.
But remember, this is politics, and its a nasty business... I accept that and welcome that. And the man I work for, Chris Shays, is no stranger to the most brutal and unwarranted of attacks. So be it no surprise that those who continue to mischaracterize one of the brightest, most kind hearted, and moderate leaders on the Hill have to go to such lengths to attack him that they stretch far beyond the usual ad hominem salvos. That's right, they go after an intern.
My oh my, aren't the internet and the blogosphere a great invention? To think, we now have the capacity to totally and blatantly miss the forest for the trees in a way that means our liberal, basement dwelling brethren can act as surrogate demi-gods and critique pay-less, college, wide-eyed kids. Is this what it's come to?
And we're not talking about kids who are ignorantly challenging the establishment because its cool or questioning authority because we're know-it-alls... but kids who are trying to help themselves and their community by taking advantage of opportunities to make a difference. Kids who not only talk about rocking the vote, but actually show up on election day and the days leading up to it on the campaign trail. Kids who are conscious enough to get involved and take advantage of the qualities God gave them. Perhaps I've totally crossed over to pretentious mode, but I think I've reached that plateau of being plugged in and aware.
But that doesn't satisfy the liberal mob who must have blood. Once they've had their fill of Chris Shays, they move on to the interns. Thats what the blog-post about me has boiled down to: attacking kids. Whether it be the condescending "We want you to make the most of your internship" all the way to the ignorant "He should have better heroes/role models," to the crazy "you will one day realize the shame of working for Shays" and the baffling "why hasn't he enlisted?" What isn't twisted from the Post story itself is simply fabricated and my personality and record butchered. As an intern in the office, I know the general deal with MyLeftNutmeg. Only they take themselves seriously in their self-aggrandizing mirror. But behind the binary curtain, they're exposed as liberal nutjobs that would make Michael Moore proud. Virtually no attack has merit, so be it no surprise that neither does the one on interns.
And man do they grasp for straws.
I'm super pumped I got to meet Chevy Chase. I told Peter Urban that. It fit the tone of the story. And now apparently I hate the troops. Are you kidding me? No attempt at honest dialogue was made. None. No benefit of the doubt was given to a kid. None. They came close... they asked rhetorical, loaded questions of what I could possibly believe, but in the end the worst was assumed. And why? Because they are desperate, petty, Shays-hating liberals.
You want my views on Iraq, scroll down to where I explain my disgust for the way Bush handled the war, how the Democrats would be even worse for it, and how it does touch me personally seeing as I have a grandfather who is a veteran of WWII, an uncle who is a graduate of West Point and recently retired a Lt. Col. in the Army, and two cousins in the Marines, one of which is currently in Iraq. But yeah, the war hasn't touched me. Yeah, I need new heroes.
If anything, the referenced tripe from the liberal fairyland can stand on its own unintentional comedy for the desperation and ridiculousness it oozes in every petty paragraph. This is the current state of liberal America: attacking kids. I only felt compelled to respond because of the personal nature of the attacks, otherwise I wouldn't even dignify it with a response. But come on, enough is enough. If any of the folks there would have the courage to apologize, I would gladly accept it in the name of forgiveness. But until then, I suggest they think long and hard at who they put in the cross hairs and what they want their Web site to be labeled as. Because right now, it's sitting pretty between grabage and idiocy.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Back in the Saddle Again
OK, after a signature break from blogging, I'm back from a fantastic vacation. After spending a weekend at home on a kind of working-vacation (I helped staff the Congressman's LI Sound Public Hearing), the next weekend my fellow classmates in the Pepperdine DC Internship program got to take an educational field trip to the Caribbean for a much appreciated break from the working life. It was so awesome and I'm sure I'll write more about it later, I promise, but other more pressing things have come to my attention.
Namely, my campus at Pepperdine was threatened by incredible wildfires that were ripping through southern California. Being from the northeast, it's easy to underestimate mother nature's fury outside of snow and rain, but wildfires are real and deadly. Last year there was a minor fire in Malibu about a half mile away that lit up the night while I was on campus. Thankfully, I'm here in the District during the most recent fires, but all of Sunday I was on the phone with people back on campus checking in on them.
People in our group were feeding each other updates on the progress of the fires, but none of the chaos and confusion we were experience came close to matching what must have been going through my classmates minds out in California. My roommate from last year said he was rushed to the caf in nothing but his boxers and bathrobe and that it was difficult to get a cell phone signal because everyone on campus was calling loved ones. I'm so glad everyone on campus was OK, but its such a tragedy nonetheless. Its not just stars, celebrities, and elites in Malibu. Thankfully, the school kept the students on campus because Pepperdine is probably the safest place in Malibu during fires. They received some flak for not moving kids out, but far and away it was the best decision. Not only did they know where everyone was and were able to manage them, but it ensured students didn't move themselves into greater risk.
Also, the Red Sox moved on to the World Series this past weekend. I was in the dark all week with no internet, cell phone, and only spotty TV service, so I didn't see any of the games until Game 7. And boy was that a rush. While the excitement of the game was dampened by the fires in Malibu, as soon as word came that everyone was alright, I shifted gears. And man oh man, what a game. Look for more thoughts from me as the World Series gears up and starts on Wednesday.
And then there's the whole deal of the newspaper article written about me. I'm not going to put all my thoughts here just now, but I'm extremely grateful for all the positive reaction I got. Scroll down a bit to check out the article that also got posted on MSNBC. Also check out what the folks at MyLeftNutmeg.com wrote. Pleasant bunch aren't they? Even college interns are fair game. My word, what a bunch of wackos. I'll comment more on that later.
Until then though, enjoy the articles and keep those affected by the California fires in your prayers.
Namely, my campus at Pepperdine was threatened by incredible wildfires that were ripping through southern California. Being from the northeast, it's easy to underestimate mother nature's fury outside of snow and rain, but wildfires are real and deadly. Last year there was a minor fire in Malibu about a half mile away that lit up the night while I was on campus. Thankfully, I'm here in the District during the most recent fires, but all of Sunday I was on the phone with people back on campus checking in on them.
People in our group were feeding each other updates on the progress of the fires, but none of the chaos and confusion we were experience came close to matching what must have been going through my classmates minds out in California. My roommate from last year said he was rushed to the caf in nothing but his boxers and bathrobe and that it was difficult to get a cell phone signal because everyone on campus was calling loved ones. I'm so glad everyone on campus was OK, but its such a tragedy nonetheless. Its not just stars, celebrities, and elites in Malibu. Thankfully, the school kept the students on campus because Pepperdine is probably the safest place in Malibu during fires. They received some flak for not moving kids out, but far and away it was the best decision. Not only did they know where everyone was and were able to manage them, but it ensured students didn't move themselves into greater risk.Also, the Red Sox moved on to the World Series this past weekend. I was in the dark all week with no internet, cell phone, and only spotty TV service, so I didn't see any of the games until Game 7. And boy was that a rush. While the excitement of the game was dampened by the fires in Malibu, as soon as word came that everyone was alright, I shifted gears. And man oh man, what a game. Look for more thoughts from me as the World Series gears up and starts on Wednesday.
And then there's the whole deal of the newspaper article written about me. I'm not going to put all my thoughts here just now, but I'm extremely grateful for all the positive reaction I got. Scroll down a bit to check out the article that also got posted on MSNBC. Also check out what the folks at MyLeftNutmeg.com wrote. Pleasant bunch aren't they? Even college interns are fair game. My word, what a bunch of wackos. I'll comment more on that later.
Until then though, enjoy the articles and keep those affected by the California fires in your prayers.
My first fan club.
http://www.myleftnutmeg.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8252
My response will follow shortly.
My response will follow shortly.
CT Post Spotlights a Chris Shays Republican Intern
by: CaptCT
Sun Oct 14, 2007 at 14:02:51 PM EDT
At a time when young men from Connecticut are losing their lives in the Iraq War, the Connecticut Post brings us some happy news from the land of the Young Republicans. In a story about one of Republican Congressman Chris Shays's interns, we are reminded that the Iraq War doesn't touch a great many Americans:
WASHINGTON - As a self-professed political junkie, Thomas Lambert is in heaven these days.Since the end of August, the native of Fairfield, Conn., has worked as a college intern for Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, where he has witnessed democracy played out on a daily basis.
"Having an opportunity to work in D.C. for Chris Shays is a dream come true," says Lambert, 20, a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.
Lambert ... has always viewed Shays as a model politician. "He is seen as a maverick, independent guy but if anything he is not marching to his own drum but the drum of the people he represents," Lambert says.
Of course, the story fails to mention that many of Shays' 20-something constituents are marching not to their own drums, but to war drums.
The glaring omissions from this story are these questions: How does Mr. Lambert feel about the Iraq War, which Congressman Shays has consistently supported? And if this intern does support the war -- and, like Chris Shays, feels threatened by "Islamofascists" -- why doesn't he enlist? Has he ever visited Walter Reed hospital, and what were his impressions? (Do interns for Democratic Congressmen, who were not interviewed for this story, feel the same way?) Based on those answers, we can better discern the type of future leaders the Republican Party and Chris Shays are grooming in Washington.
Instead, we find that the intern is escorting Sputnick and meeting the actor Chevy Chase.
"Going to school at Pepperdine, you're supposed to play off meeting actors, but Chevy Chase - the guy was in 'Caddyshack.' He's a hero," says Lambert, who worked as a caddy at The Country Club of Fairfield.This month, Lambert served as an escort for Sputnik, which the Russians launched into space 50 years ago.
Chevy Chase is a hero because he was in the movie Caddyshack? Perhaps Mr. Lambert never heard of Killington's Jason Lantieri, or other CT residents who failed to make it safely back from the war. Perhaps it was just a poor choice of words from a kid wowed by celebrity. Perhaps, if he were asked, Mr. Lambert would have told us how torn he is about this conflict. Maybe he did express such thoughts, but the Post failed to print them. We don't know.
The Post and other CT newspapers would better serve its readers, especially the young ones, by reminding them that there's a war on, and the war comes with a price.
Instead, the Post tells us how great it is to be an intern in Washington and to meet a "hero" like Chevy Chase.
CT Post Spotlights a Chris Shays Republican Intern | 11 commentsI'm sure young Lambert is also well versed (0.00 / 0)on the going-ons of Lilo and Britney.just like his boss.
they focus on WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
*rolls eyes in disgust*
... and therefore I believe the President and Vice President of the United States must be impeached.
He worships Chevy Chase?!? (4.00 / 2)Chase played AT BEST "fourth fiddle" in Caddyshack behind Bill Murray, Ted Knight, and of course, Rodney.Jesus, even his movie heroes are losers!
Connecticut Bob
Indeed (0.00 / 0)While I think you're all reading way too much into a puff piece article that practically writes itself: area student interns for local Congressman. I wholeheartedly agree with your take on Caddyshack - Bill Murray's interactions with the gofer define that movie!
[ Parent ]puff piece (0.00 / 0)I agree that it's a puff piece. But that's the problem with it. It drives home the point that so many Americans think they aren't affected by the war at all. If life is like "heaven" for you, why would you care if the war ends or not?If the role of journalism is to write happy stories about a friend's child, which is what this is, then it's fine. If the role of journalism is to help readers make sense of current events, then the article is a joke.
And if the writer is presenting the story as a "day in the life" of a Congressional intern and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, then my conclusion is that this 20-year-old kid should think about the sacrifices other kids his age are making.
[ Parent ]Neither Urban nor the intern comes off very well (0.00 / 0)Of course, far be it from Peter Urban to talk about substantive issues (after all, this is the Peter Urban who once wrote that Joe Lieberman "was independently elected as a Democrat." No joke. He really did. If you can write drivel like that, then you can also write about Pepperdine University without revealing what a far-right university it is. Pepperdine is the place that offered Bill Clinton's inquisitor the presidency of its law school- right in the middle of the investigations.And of course, far be it from Peter Urban to ask the young man about his views of the war, about his feelings about Shays' being a major chickenhawk on Iraq when he dodged the draft during Vietnam. No, it seems that except for the rare commentaries from Hugh Bailey (the only resident of Bridgeport, but who couldn't be bothered to vote in the last election), we get mostly puff pieces about our federal representatives. I mean, really! Is this what passes for "news" at Connecticut Post?
Perhaps that's why this state's reporters and pundits read this site so religiously- to get real news and intelligent commentary.
On a more positive note - (0.00 / 0)a beautiful picture of BigDavefromQueens (who also posts, and usually rec'd, at Kos) in the CT Post today. He's wearing his famous Bush mask, holding a sign saying "Ann Coulter Perfected Joe Lieberman and Richetelli" - with his hand on Joe's shoulder, who is cringing.My hero! (Dave, not Joe).
Sue, Connecticut for Lieberman Party Secretary
get a life (2.33 / 3)alright none of you people are going anywhere in life, to criticize someone who is actually doing work in washington to get to the top is absurd, since none of you will ever have his chance. People know the war is going on, its pretty hard to miss if you ever put on cnn or fox news. IF you want to criticize a topic talk about Darfur where the lives of hundreds of thousands are being tortured. This criticism is pointless, and I really hope that this writer becomes enthused enough by my comment to do something worthwhile with his life.Ryan J. Steadly
Some day (0.00 / 0)..if you're lucky, you'll look back at your internship for Shays with the requisite shame it deserves.
Join the Nedheads at YouTube.
[ Parent ]don't you have a CTTEEN column to write (0.00 / 0)and why doenst the connecticut post look a little further than former employees for a story anyway?? ?are they just lazy?
... and therefore I believe the President and Vice President of the United States must be impeached.
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