The front page headlines from the New York Times and the Washington Post May 2, 2011. I bought these papers to save the front pages.
Sunday night’s announcement that Osama bin Laden was located and killed, as the result of a U.S. operation in Pakistan, is no doubt historic. But its place in history comes not just from the end of the decade’s long search since 9/11; the way the story broke also deserves a distinguished mark in the record.
I will never forget sitting in my room watching my favorite prime time program, refreshing my Twitter stream, and seeing a single tweet from a reporter saying, “POTUS to address the nation at 10:30 p.m. eastern.” I follow nearly 1,400 people on twitter. The vast majority of them are journalists. And many of them are in political circles. But this was the only tweet mentioning anything about Obama speaking to the nation.
Immediately I began searching for more information. Was the tweet a mistake? No. The lone tweet was accurate and Twitter soon began waking up from its Sunday slumber to a chorus of questions about why POTUS was planning to speak at the strangest of all times to make news: Sunday night after 10 p.m. Whatever he was going to say was going to be big.
The press always knows what the president will say when he speaks. The White House is a leaky glass when it comes to speeches and remarks and there is always some degree of advanced information for reporters to broadcast. But not this time. Speculation was rampant as to what President Obama would say. Everyone knew it was big, but no one seemed to know what it would be. Continue reading →
ABC World News Anchor Diane Sawyer at the Newseum in Washington D.C., April 19, 2011. Sawyer was taking part in the Reel Journalism series. (Jordan J. Frasier)
One of the great things about Washington D.C. is that it attracts some pretty big names. Last night Diane Sawyer came to the nation’s capital to take part in the Newseum’s Reel Journalism series, which looks at important portrayals of journalism in film.
I could have cared less about the film; I just wanted to hear what Sawyer had to say. So I told my professors I was taking the evening off and I headed downtown.
Skipping class was a great decision because Sawyer was both informative and inspiring. She has reached the pinnacle of journalism and it was invaluable to hear from her, but since I did skip class, I thought I should prepare a short report of what she had to say. So here is Sawyer’s advice: Continue reading →
Me at the North Portico of the White House. (Jordan Frasier)
The East Room of the White House during the Community College Summit. (Jordan Frasier)
There are those moments in life that don’t seem possible. They are the moments that a person dreams about so often that when by chance they happen, the moment barely seems real. It’s moments like these that make up the lists we live for, and today I look to my list for the first time and am able to cross off a major entry.
Today I went to the White House.
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to enter the White House as a reporter, set foot in the briefing room, and attend a presidential event. I’ve walked by the Northwest Gate dozens of times, stretching my neck to see beyond the black metal, and yearning to go through it.
Today I did.
By some grace of dreams come true, I was given the opportunity to report on the White House Summit on Community Colleges today from the East Room of the White House, reaffirming my love of journalism, presidential paraphernalia, and life in general, all in one singular amazing day.
I honestly cannot believe my good fortune and am beyond grateful for the series of events that lead to today. So here’s what happened: Continue reading →
I was up really late last night! I wanted to stay up to see who won the WA governor’s race and thank goodness it was Christine Gregoire! The actual election did not turn out to be as close as the polls made it seem it would be which I was glad about.
I was also happy to see that the WA state assisted suicide law passed, I think that is a good move.
Apparently I was a little too conservative in my electoral predictions from yesterday. Obama had more and McCain had less electoral points than I had thought they would get. Oh well, at least it wasn’t the other way around.
Last night as I was watching the results come in I felt an immense pride for this country. I felt like, yes, the American people are smart enough to reject John McCain and Sarah Palin. I felt like a new group of Americans stood up and took control of this country and it is refreshing.
I was also thinking that this election was not the end, it is just the beginning. This country faces some tough times and we need to unite behind our new president and get things done. It’s not going to be easy but we can do it, we just need to try!
I also just felt such relief. I know it has been pretty obvious that Obama was going to win but nothing was final until last night. I am just so happy that we are not going to have to deal with McCain and Palin for the next four years. I watch their campaign events and ads and the negativity just made me sick. It was wrong for this country and thank god the country agreed!
If for nothing else, this election will go down in history just because of how fascinating it has been. I was thinking back and how I have enjoyed this process. There have been such great moments in this race that will be studied forever!
Once the race was officially called, people here took to the streets. It was so loud on campus, people were singing and screaming and going nuts! People were so happy. It was so encouraging. I can’t remember that ever happing in an election I remember, which granted are not that many, but you can just feel that this time is different.
The local news was also live at the White House where people were freaking out on Pennsylvania Avenue!
I could not believe the results from Montana. I kept watching them and for much of the night Obama was ahead; in the end McCain won but it was a close race.
I was really impressed by McCain’s speech last night. I thought it was very heartfelt and sincere. I thought he was going to break into tears. I think he really thought he was going to win. I thought what he said was great and I admire him for that.
This morning I made sure that I am on all the lists for inauguration tickets!! I can’t wait to be in DC for the swearing in ceremony in January. It will be a historic day!
What did you think of last night? Share your comments in the comment section!
Yesterday’s question of the day was: This is a picture of what?
Shout out to Courty and Gayla for guessing the right answer!
Today’s question of the day is: George Washington was first sworn in as president in this city; where was it?
What a day I have had! As you all know by now Hillary Clinton was on campus today and let me just say that this is the hardest I have ever had to work for a political rally. Hints today’s title! I wasn’t working for money but I was working for an autograph; and I guess it wasn’t so much work as jockeying for a good spot! Lol
This rally was the most unorganized mess I have ever been in the middle of! The lady who was in charge of organizing it was really unprepared and she made things worse by moving lines all over the place. I got to the rally site, which was in the main courtyard of GMU, at 12:30. When I got there I was sitting on a bench reading and there were a few other people milling around and two other people on my same bench.
There were some people sitting on another bench in front of me but they got up to leave so I got up to steal their bench because it was closer. Well at the exact same time the two other people who were sharing my original bench, they had the same idea I had so we laughed at ourselves and started visiting.
Anyway, the three of us decided to form an alliance to get good seats. Then we found out that we needed VIP bracelets to get front row seats but we ended up getting those and then we were told to stand in this line where we were in the front. Well then the lady in charge moved us to the back of this other line and all over and it quickly became clear that we would not get front row seats!
Well that was just not acceptable; I don’t go to political rallies if I can not be in the front row! So the three of us decided to sneak to this other area and sure enough, we were able to get ourselves positions in the front row! But for a second I thought my perfect record of front row positions was not going to last!
Anyway, Hillary was amazing, pure the usual! I even got her to sign a copy of the picture her and I took last April! That will be framed as soon as I come home in three weeks!!
Here are some pictures and a short video clip that I took!
And I took this picture for Blogger Jack! =)
Last night Tina Fey was back on SNL!! I love when she is on the show playing Sarah Palin, she is just too good! John McCain was also on the show and he was pretty good too! Here are the videos if you missed them:
Here is another video that I am so jealous of! I wish I could have done this for Halloween!! Candy voting! What a concept! Embedded video from CNN Video
I want to give a huge shout out to a blogger friend Wendy for sending me the quote from the Holocaust museum that I couldn’t remember! So here is the official quote:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.” -Pastor Martin Niemoller
Thanks Wendy!!
Yesterday’s question of the day was: What is the approximate highest voter turnout in US History?
According to the Political Science Department of GMU it was about 65%… that is sad!
Today’s question of the day is: What is the capital of Kyrgyzstan?
Over the last few days I have been doing some research to find different events that I can go to around the area. And boy did I find a good one! One Saturday September 27th, the Library of Congress is holding the National Book Festival right in the middle of downtown DC! I am so excited! It is free and there are going to be some great authors. The authors all have a speaking engagement and then a book signing, it will be amazing!
Among the authors I will see are Bob Schieffer, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Kimberly Dozier, Marc Brown, Cokie Roberts, Jenna Hager, and Laura Bush!
How awesome!
I was also on the local ABC Station’s website here in DC and I found a video that shows me at the McCain/Palin rally! Check this out!
Tomorrow I am taking a trip to Ballston, VA to check out the area so come back to the blog tomorrow for an update on how it goes! lol
This morning I had my Democratic Theory class and the theory behind democracy really is fascinating! Today we talked about having consent for the process of government and not necessarily the people or the outcomes of government. I thought this was an interesting idea.
We also discussed the core principle needed to have a successful democracy. They are natural resources, diversity, and education. It is such a fascinating subject!
I found a link to the SNL video of Sarah Palin for those of you who did not see it. Here it is:
Yesterday’s question of the day was: 75% of us have no idea what the temperature of our refrigerator is supposed to be!
Today’s question of the day is: Nearly all of us use this, but it didn’t become popular until 1984. What is it?
Post your guess in the comment section and check back tomorrow for the answer!!
Well bloggers, I have had quite the day! I woke up at 5:30 this morning and walked two miles into Fairfax to attend a McCain/Palin “Road to Victory” Rally! Then this afternoon I attended a lecture with a former US Ambassador to the South Africa area!
I got to the rally at about 6:30 and it started at 9:00, and just as can be expected, I was in the front row right in front of the podium! Lol Now, I went into this rally knowing that I’m not voting for the McCain/Palin ticket but I had an open mind (or at least fairly open).
So the program started at 9:00 on the dot, which is amazing for a political event that it started on time, with a country music singer from somewhere in Virginia. He was pretty good. He just did covers of different country/Americana songs to warm up the crowed. And we needed to be warmed up, it was really cold this morning but it got hotter later in the day.
After the music, we heard from the Mayor of Fairfax and about 10 other important republican leaders from the state of Virginia. Although I didn’t really know who these people were, it was very interesting.
The first major speaker was former presidential candidate Fred Thompson. He is a very good speaker but I didn’t really agree with what he was saying. None the less, it was a good speech.
After him, it was time for the main event. Both of the candidates came out at the same time with their spouses and Cindy McCain took the podium first. Cindy is much better looking in person and she is very well spoken. She introduced Governor Palin.
Now let me just start out by saying that Sarah Palin blew me away! I still question her qualifications but she is a phenomenal politician! She took the podium and I was captivated. She is just amazing; there is no other way to describe it. She will be the focus of political studies for a long time to come!
Here is a short video clip of her speech today that someone posted on youtube!
Sarah also did some talking about her husband Todd. He did not speak but he seemed very pleasant and was kind of joking with the crowd and waving.
Last to take the stage was John McCain. Now in all fairness I have not been the biggest fan of John McCain, and to tell you the truth I am even less of a fan now. Now aside from his experience and all of that, he is just not presidential material as a person. He is kind of a crusty old man! I was really not impressed and I decided he is worse in person than he is on tv.
One thing that was classic old man and made me laugh so hard was that John McCain could not stop fiddling with his pants! I don’t know if he was having a problem with his belt or if he had a wedgie or I have no idea! But he kept messing with his pants!
It was also cool today because the “Straight Talk Express” was in attendance! I was almost as excited to see this bus as I was the candidates. It is a part of election history now!
Also, one lady near the front row almost collapsed and died towards the end of the speech! I thought she was a goner but the Secret Service and paramedics came to her rescue!
Before we were let into the venue, which by the way was a really cool park that I did not know existed; there was a small controversy over the line. There was a line that was started to wrap around the block but parking at the venue was limited so there were shuttle busses running from a nearby mall. Well unknown to the people in line at the venue, there was another line at the shuttle bus. So when the buses brought the people to the venue, they thought they could go straight to the front of the line. It is not a good idea to get between people and their spot in line anywhere, much less at a political rally and we almost had WWIII. But the Secret Service and local police stepped in and made the shuttle bus people go to the back of the line! I guess they should plan better next time!
So there ended up being about 23,000 people at this rally and the campaign was saying that is the most people ever to attend a McCain rally. It was clear that the majority of those in attendance were not there for McCain at all, everyone was there for Palin! It was all about Palin today. People had shirts and signs for her and that is all people were talking about in line.
I was able to shake the hands of John, Cindy, Sarah, and Todd. Now the only person I am missing from this election is Joe Bidden. I’ve got to work on that one! Lol
One thing that I got a kick out of that told me that I was for sure at a Republican rally was that before the speakers started, there was a pastor there to lead us all in prayer!
There were also about fifty Obama supporters in a designated protest area. That was not making the Republicans too happy. It was really funny to listen to them complain. Having been to several campaign events in my life, the conversations among people in line are so funny! They are always the same, just changed slightly depending on the party.
One thing that I think is so smart of the McCain campaign and the republicans is their use of pro-America cheers; because who can’t refrain from a good old USA chant? No one wants to be called unpatriotic.
I was disappointed in both McCain and Palin for using a teleprompter. I thought that was a little lame. Neither Hillary nor Obama use one. I feel like the candidates should be able to talk without reading off of a screen!
I also thought some of you would be interested to know that Sarah Palin was wearing major red high heels! Lol I t reminded me of the Kellie Pickler song!
I took over 500 pictures today so I have put a selection of them into a slideshow so check it out! All of the pictures on the page today are ones that I took!
I am so tired this evening so I apologize if I left something out or if there are bad typo…
Yesterday’s question of the day was:
48% of Americans say they have felt the need to apologize for the mess inside their car!
Did you all hear Obama talk about lipstick? He said, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig!” This is ironic given Palin’s joke about hockey moms and pit bulls. Not a good thing for Obama!
Today’s question of the day is:
According to a recent study, Americans spent 7.1 billion on this in 2007. We didn’t want to, but had to. What is it?
Post your guess in the comment section and check back tomorrow for the answer!!
Well it’s day one in Virginia and we have been shopping and picking up stuff for my dorm and we had a surprise encounter! After lunch we stopped by the Fair Lakes, VA Whole Foods and as we were walking down an aisle I noticed cameras, a production crew, and a crowd of people. So naturally I had to see what was going on, then what to my wondering eyes did appear??? But Emeril Lagasse! lol Well I guess you never know who you will run into!
Here are some pictures, sorry about the quality but it’s the best I could do with the lighting… Other than that excitement, the weather is nice and its not muggy at all. The flights were good and everything is going smoothly.
