LaHood Hearing for Sec. of Transportation (January 21, 2009)

From Julie Schifeling ‘96 MA ‘03…

I want to share this particular Inauguration story because it illustrates beautifully what was happening all over D.C. and, I’ve heard, at parties all over the country. As I waited for a 10 a.m. meeting at the Eisenhower Foundation, I had the opportunity to talk to a man from New York named Lamar. Lamar decided at the last minute not to fight the crowds on the Mall and instead slipped into a little tea shop a few blocks away. The owner was inviting everyone in who needed to get warm and wanted to watch the swearing-in ceremony. No one was buying tea, and the owner didn’t care.  Lamar told me that when the Star Spangled Banner was played, everyone in the room stood, men removed hats, and everyone sang loudly and with great joy.  He said the experience shook his soul because he had not sung the Star Spangled Banner in years.  I could picture this little shop, filled with people from all over the country who, at any other time, may not see much commonality among or between themselves, but on this day, at this moment in time, all Americans.

Throughout the day, whether on the train, walking on the Hill, or just relaxing, people shared their stories.  ”Purple Gate” was now legend, thanks to those of us who survived it, and “Blue Gate” was gaining steam.  However, after discussing the inconveniences and confusion many of us went through, all conversations came back to the patience, kindness, and goodness of the crowd and, of course, the feeling of being a part of history.

Standing Room Only

Around 1:30, I made my way to the Russell Senate Building to attend the confirmation hearing of Rep. Ray LaHood, the Transportation Secretary nominee.  It was a packed house-standing room only.  The former congressman had many supporters in the room-his family, coworkers, friends, and me.  When he took his seat at the witness table, he was flanked by former Minority Leader Bob Michel ‘48 HON ‘90 and Sen. Dick Durbin. Their opening statements spoke to the integrity, fairness, and honesty of Ray LaHood. After opening statements by the Commerce Committee members, Chairman Rockefeller asked Mr. LaHood to give his statement, followed by questions. All praised the former congressman.  His “to-the-point” answers were also celebrated.

Most of the Committee’s concerns centered around the Highway Trust Fund, FAA Reauthorization Act, and Amtrak. Several Committee members also mentioned re-alignment of the Department of Transportation, the use of public/private partnerships, infrastructure, earmarks and, naturally, projects in their respective states. Ray LaHood answered every question and concern directly and honestly.  He spoke of his principles: (1) listening to others’ opinions; and (2) fairness (across regional and party lines).  He stated his priorities: (1) safety; (2) economy — job creation, long-term investments/results, new infrastructure; (3) sustainability of transportation system; and (4) livable communities with a strong focus on people and the communities in which they live.  He also stated he would be an “active” Secretary of Transportation.  The Committee was incredibly supportive and expected the full Senate would confirm shortly.

Heading Home (January 22, 2009)

I arrived at the airport early to avoid the delays that travelers experienced on Wednesday.  As luck would have it, Barb and her daughter Sophie from Chicago, whom I was with as we waited to enter the Purple Gate on Inauguration Day, were on my flight.  We had a chance to share stories, and other passengers began to share theirs as well.  It was clear this was an experience no one who lived it - and I suspect many more who watched, will ever forget. On the last leg of my journey, I was surprised and pleased to find Bob Michel ‘48 HON ‘90 on the flight.  I took the opportunity to tell him how much I enjoyed his remarks during Ray LaHood’s confirmation hearing, and we spent a few minutes chatting as we waited for luggage.  He is truly a National Treasure.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my experiences and thoughts during this remarkable journey.

Days 11 & 12 (January 20-21, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Trapped in a Tunnel

4:30 a.m. EST came all too soon. After hitting snooze a few times only to realize that today was the big event, the Inauguration of the 44^th President of the United States, did I get up!  Quickly I was out of bed and ready. Today’s attire included three pairs of socks, three pairs of pants, five layers on top, gloves, hat, scarf, and cap. I thought I’d overdone myself, but there was never a time that I felt warm for the entire day. I was on the metro by 5 a.m., along with hundreds of thousands of other tired Inauguration pilgrims, who also looked sleepy.

Coming up out of the Judiciary Square metro, I saw what reminded me of pictures of city riots, thousands of people crowded everywhere - except everyone was happy. There were police and National Guard at each corner directing the crowd.  Soon I was directed several blocks east to the line for guests with purple tickets.  I’d assumed there couldn’t have been more than a few thousand people who were recipients of the purple tickets, given the size of the area on the map.  I assumed wrong, however, as the line started at the security gate scheduled to open at 8 a.m. and went two blocks back west and into the 3^rd Street tunnel.

When I joined the line, I was nearly a quarter-mile into the car tunnel that runs under the National Mall.  I thought the crowds were bad by then (now 5:30), but I was wrong.  There seemed to be a lot of purple tickets as the line extended down into the tunnel and out of sight.  For someone who doesn’t like enclosed spaces, I was sure glad I got in line when I did because at least I could see the outside of the tunnel.  The line didn’t move for three hours, but everything was going well.  I stood next to a couple from Washington D.C.  We had an interesting conversation, focusing on the energy in the air, and the “melting pot” of people who were in attendance that day - blacks, whites, Latinos, children, elderly, blind, homeless, wealthy, citizens of other countries.  It had become apparent that this day was for EVERYONE.

Around 9 a.m., tensions began to spike for some, as people flooding into the tunnel began cutting in line.  A woman came down the line instructing us to be honest about our place in the line, and to kindly ask those who try to cut to go to the end of the line.  I kindly asked three different people to move.  They said they were just “confused” about where the line ended.  I’m not sure what could have been so confusing to them as the line clearly extended well past me where they tried to stand. But I took them at their word and didn’t think a thing of it. Around 10 a.m., things really started to get tense. I turned around and a girl who I’d been standing next to for the last four hours yelled at me, saying “I know you weren’t in line the whole time.”  I politely corrected her, at which point some other girls joined her by accusing me of “shaking hands” with the people 20 feet ahead in line and letting them cut. I again politely informed her that I did no such thing, and quoted one of her lines from a previous outburst - that such tension “doesn’t support the spirit of Obama.”  I’m not really sure what the “spirit of Obama” was, but it got the message across.  I think she was just trying to say that Obama would not approve of such dishonesty when trying to see his Inauguration.

Around 10 a.m., I received a text message from the ALERTDC service, stating that a woman was struck by a metro train and to expect delays. Things were getting crazy (the woman escaped with only minor bumps and bruises). Rumors began going through the line about what was taking so long.  One was that there was a fight in front of our gate between the purple ticket holders and the silver ticket holders.  Another claimed that the Secret Service detail at our gate had been pulled away due to a security breach, resulting in our gate being closed. In either case, the line wasn’t going anywhere fast.

The Purple Gate

At 10:30, I was still inside the tunnel and tensions were reaching a breaking point. Chants of “end of the line, end of the line!” were resonating from farther back in the tunnel toward all who walked in.  The crowd was getting stir crazy.  At 11, the line really began to move and soon I could see the gate, except things were not as they seemed.  Instead of an orderly line, all chaos broke loose and the line became a mass of people crowding toward the gates.  There was no room to move, except in the direction of the crowd.

At that point, I realized that the purple gate was closed and they weren’t letting people in.  As it was then 11:15, I tried to escape the confined crowd.  The crowd began shouting “let us in, let us in!”  It was a very intense couple of minutes as I tried to get from the crushing madness to a place where I wouldn’t get crushed.  I’m going to make a Facebook group (or at least join one), dedicated to those of us who stood in line and waited at the purple gate.  I think I’ll call it, “I was at the Purple Gate. The Official Group for Purple Ticket Holders to the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.” It’d be fun to hear other points of views on the line and mess.

It was at this point that I began to realize that I wouldn’t be seeing the Inauguration, or hearing it for that matter. I phoned a few friends and family I’d been texting all day to let them know my plight and considered what my next decision would be. Suddenly there was a loud voice over a horn that said they would be opening the gate for purple ticket holders. I was instantly back into the crowd, moving slowly toward the gate and being squeezed ever so tight!  Everyone held up their tickets and pushed jammed-packed while the same loud voice could be heard shouting, “No pushing! No pushing!”

Finding a Spot

Within minutes of being in the crushing mess, I was through the gate. I ran past the security guards once given the okay, and passed quickly through the metal detectors. I heard Dr. Rick Warren in the middle of his prayer as I darted into the purple standing section. Thousands of people were running with me to fill the purple standing room, in hopes of not missing any more of the ceremony.

I soon found a place as far up in the crowd as I could.  The only problem was that I couldn’t really see.  The Capitol was huge in front of me, but there were stands blocking the main stage and a tree in front of the closest Jumbotron.  Well, if I couldn’t see history…at least I could hear it!  Aretha Franklin moved the cramped audience. Soon Joe Biden took his oath and maddening cheers burst forward from the thousands around.  I was surprised with how short the oath was!  A beautiful song arranged by John Williams, featuring Yo-Yo Ma followed. Unfortunately, no one in the crowd appeared to be paying attention and instead talked to those around them.  It was a beautiful song, but the crowd was anticipating the looming BIG event.

New President

When Barack Obama stood up and took his oath, you could have heard a pin drop.  People from all walks of life were moved as he became the 44^th President of the United States of America. Unlike the silence during the oath, you couldn’t hear a thing after “so help me God” because the crowd began to shout,  “Obama, Obama, Obama!”  They fired cannons off for a minute after the oath was taken.  The cannons were probably about a thousand feet away from me, and my heart skipped a few beats when they first boomed!

The President then took the stage and delivered his Inaugural Address.  The massive crowd was again completely silent, except when cheering (or booing), during the address. It was mind-boggling to take in his words, realizing that they will be written into the history books. I’ll have to watch it again several times before I will even catch all that he said.  After his address, people began to leave, but I stayed and edged a little bit closer. One of the neatest things happened during the National Anthem-everyone  sang. Now I’ve been moved to patriotic tears before when singing the Star Spangled Banner on the Fourth of July…but singing with 2 million people in front of the Capitol….words cannot describe the pride and love in my heart that I had for America at that moment.

Lines, lines, lines

When the Inauguration was over, I immediately made a move back to the entrance, hoping to retrace my steps. I decided the metro was a no go for now, as I didn’t want to be crushed and potentially end up on the tracks. I called my dad, and he proceeded to navigate me through the streets of D.C. back toward Virginia. I stopped along the way for McDonalds and purchased a few buttons and souvenirs. Even though I was blocks away from the Mall, people were everywhere.  It was overwhelming to have so many people everywhere - like something out of a movie…but definitely cool.

Wanting to catch a glimpse of the parade, I found a public entry point closer to the White House and began waiting in yet another line to be screened by security. I met a mother and daughter from Maryland.  They watched the Inauguration ceremony on CNN, then decided that they needed to be a part of the action in the city and left home quickly. The mother said she didn’t care if they didn’t see the parade, she just wanted to be in the city with the masses during this important time. Nearly two hours later, and almost 4 p.m., the security gate was still far away.  Realizing that I probably wasn’t going to make it past security, and that if I did, I wouldn’t be able to see anything, I decided to leave the line.  At this point I had been standing, walking, and waiting in lines for almost 12 hours!!!  I was exhausted as I collapsed onto the metro.  I nearly feel asleep and missed my stop!  Thankfully, I finally found myself back at the hotel and had soon passed out on my bed for a well-deserved nap.  WHAT A DAY!  History had been made, and I had experienced it!  My head hurt as I tried to comprehend just how significant this day was.  WOW.

Farewell D.C.

That evening my group got together for one last meal before we went our separate ways.  The conversation was exciting as we swapped stories of the day.  Some saw people jump over barriers in a mad rush to see the ceremonies.  Others walked more than three miles to avoid the crowds.  Everyone was excited that they were present on this historic day!  Eventually we said our goodbyes and went back to our rooms to pack and sleep for a few hours before catching our flight home. I’ll miss these new friends! Maybe we’ll all end up in Washington someday?

January 21

I went to Reagan National Airport at 6:30 a.m. to catch my flight.  I didn’t get through the lines and security until 8:20 with my flight leaving at 8:40.  Needless to say, while I was going to miss D.C., I was glad to be escaping the huge crowds and lines. Here in the airport, I see a magazine cover with President Obama’s face on it and the words “What Now?” I stopped to ponder this question. What will he do now?  He’s already made history and he’s been in office less than 24 hours!  A feat and an accomplishment.  I hope that President Obama continues to move for change for the betterment of our country. It will be very interesting to see what his defining moment will be, as he’s had so many already.  I trust that the values he spoke of during his address will be a strong compass for his decision-making.  I also pondered that question for myself.  “What now?”  I’ve been to Washington, D.C., for 10 of the most extraordinary days of my life. What would I do with those experiences?  How would they shape me?  When will it finally hit me, and I fully comprehend the full significance of all of these events?

I just got a text message from President Obama. It said, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”  Now that’s cool.  You don’t get text messages from the President every day.  This is the beginning of something new for our country.

This trip has been the opportunity of a college career!  Thank you Dr. Galsky and Dr. Conley for the support and help in making this happen!  I’ve got one more year left at Bradley; I can’t wait to see what will be next.  Over and out….for now!

A Walk to Remember (January 20, 2009)

From Julie Schifeling ‘96 MA ‘03…

The long walk on Inauguration Day

The day started at 5:15 a.m.  Catching the Metro at 6:30 a.m., we slowly made our way to the Capitol.  I met some wonderful people.  One young woman is a 4th grade teacher in Alabama, and her class was going to be told today where she was.  She was busy collecting memorabilia to share with her students when she returns home.  I met several people from Chicago, one who had ties to Peoria, and another whose niece graduated from Bradley.  I met a gentleman from Los Angeles who, when I told him I worked at Bradley, went on and on about what a great school Bradley was and what a good basketball team they had this year.

After a very long walk, we were directed to the gate for purple ticket holders. Unfortunately, we were given the wrong directions, as were silver ticket holders who were cutting through our block’s long group.  It actually became a dangerous situation, with paramedics called in to take care of folks who were overcome, due to the crushing situation.

For the most part, everyone kept a great attitude and looked for ways to help each other.  A nice man found a way out, so he and I were able to escape the madness.  As we walked around, we found another way to get to the purple gate. So, after waiting in one line or another for over 2 1/2 hours, they finally let in the purple tickets holders, and we were able to be there for the entire swearing-in ceremony.

Anticipating the swearing-in

The atmosphere was electric and awe-inspiring.  Almost from the moment I reached the Capitol, I could feel the tears beginning to swell.  From the opening remarks, to hearing the great Aretha Franklin, the swearing in of Sen. Biden as our next Vice President, and music by Yo-Yo Ma and Izaak Perlman, the anticipation continued to build.

Having lived through the assassinations of RFK and Martin Luther King, Jr. as a child, I truly have no words for the feelings I experienced today.

Living in the moment

When President Obama was sworn in, everyone cheered, hugged and shed many tears.  Everyone was a friend today. When President Obama began his speech, everyone stopped talking and listened.  With the hundreds of thousands in my area alone, that in itself is remarkable. President Obama has mentioned often that we are one America, and today I saw it and am blessed to have been a part of it.  I don’t know how I will ever be able to thank Brad McMillan for this incredible opportunity.

As the ceremony came to a close, folks began to walk to their various destinations.  I’ve never seen such an incredible mass of humanity move quietly as one, offering to take pictures for each other before moving on. Everybody was talking to each other and sharing their hopes and their joy at having had the opportunity to witness history.

Although the first part of my day was a little chaotic, getting back to Virginia was quite easy. I was finally able to sit after being on my feet for almost five hours.

More later…

Days 10 & 11 (January 19-20, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Ticket to History

A very sad thing happened yesterday…my digital camera died!  After several hours of tinkering, it was clear that there was no hope of taking any more pictures with it until after it was serviced. I guess you get what you pay for with Black Friday specials!  Well, I couldn’t simply sit back and watch history without documenting the most important day of my journey, so it was off to Best Buy for a new camera. I’m pleased with my new camera, a Kodak (sorry Samsung) that I have affectionately named Red II (because it is my second red camera…creative right?).

That being out of the way, the next order of business was to pick up the Inauguration tickets-the tickets to history.  I rode the metro with Lauren Porto ‘10 to Capitol Hill to pick up our tickets at the National Republican Club next to the U.S. Capitol.  It was here that I experienced my first metro backup. There were people crowded everywhere trying to get in and out, but not moving anywhere fast. This made me kind of hesitant for tomorrow as I am a self-proclaimed claustrophobic. But not even confined spaces are going to stop me from witnessing history tomorrow. I’d heard that some ticket holders had to wait in line for four hours to pick up their tickets. However, due to the ingenuity of Congressman Schock, the ticket pickup was in a different building than the House Office Buildings that were bogged down by security checkpoints.

Soon we had our golden tickets in hand (actually they were silver, the section we were designated to stand in). The tickets came with a very ornate program for the ceremony that I’ll treasure, and I’m sure will be a collector’s item. Lauren and I talked for a while with another family from central Illinois who came for the Inauguration. Excitement filled the conversation.

On the way out of the building, we noticed a coatroom dedicated to longtime Congressman Bob Michel ‘48 HON ‘81.  We also ran into fellow Bradley students, Kyle McEvilly ‘10 and Kamila Badat ‘10 who are spending the semester interning in Washington D.C.  Both were excited to be here for such an important event, and we are hoping to see meet up with them in the silver section tomorrow. I’m always so impressed and wowed each time I run into other members of the Bradley family when I’m out and about–especially here in Washington D.C.

Joy in the Streets

Before heading back to the hotel for dinner, we stopped by the shops in Georgetown for a little last-minute souvenir shopping.  What we weren’t expecting was to find drums and dancing filling the streets. A crowd of 200 people danced up and down the streets to huge drums. It was really quite the sight, and I found myself joining in the dancing as we passed by. This all happened in front of Manifest Hope, an art gallery that I mentioned previously. There seemed to be quite a buzz there with an “Obama” van parked in front and cameras everywhere. It was fun watching people rejoice in the streets and to join in their rhythm for a few moments. The art gallery was closed, but we received free stickers for our interest.

Later, I stopped by the Obama van and spoke with one of the guys in charge. He told me how the van drove around the battleground states, getting people excited to vote and sharing Obama’s message of hope and change. I was really impressed when he mentioned that they donated all the money they made from selling Obama t-shirts and shoes, not to the campaign, but to organizations that helped those in need. Now that is something to be proud of that our President-elect inspired. I left Georgetown and crossed the Key Bridge with excitement and joy for the coming events.

Surprise purple ticket

So as I sit here typing, it is 1 a.m. EST.  I am planning on getting up at 3 a.m., in order to be on the metro by 4 a.m. when it opens, in order to be at the security gates by 8 a.m. when they open even though the pre-ceremony does not begin until 10 a.m. EST. However, I just received a phone call from a friend who was not feeling well, offering me her ticket in the purple standing section that is quite a bit closer than the silver section. Of course, I took her up on the offer. THANK YOU, JESSICA!  This means that I will be alone tomorrow, but that is always a good opportunity to make friends…you never know where another member of the Bradley family will pop up! I’m going to try and see bits of the parade as I heard that a family friend will be marching with the Virginia Military Institute and that Bradley seniors Alex Navrotski ‘09 and Beth Hoover ‘09 will be marching with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. It will probably be too crazy to see the parade and the Inauguration, but I’m excited to take in the whole day–one that will be historic for our nation and an impacting experience for myself.

Alongside of the historical significance of today’s events are the high expectations of the Inauguration address. Barack Obama has been compared to the greatest American Presidents, Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy among others–yet he has not taken office and completed a single act as President. His first act as President will be to address the country.

The words of FDR and Kennedy during their Inaugural addresses were rallying cries for the nation–past, present and future.  What will the new President say?  Will his significant words be instantly recognizable?  Or will they be slowly defined through his actions as President over the next four years?  It’s hard to believe that a junior Senator from Illinois could inspire a nation and set such huge events in motion. One of the greatest orators of my time is getting ready to give possibly the speech of a lifetime, but he isn’t the only one preparing. Millions of Americans are preparing to hear his message and answer the call.

Today is going to be a defining moment in our nation’s history. I can’t wait to share everything with all of you.  Here’s to the dawn of our nation’s next great era!

Traveling to the Inauguration (January 19, 2009)

From Julie Schifeling ‘96 MA ‘03…

The magnitude of this particular inauguration became apparent in Chicago.  Extra security was in place at the gate we passed through before we boarded the plane.  As one woman proclaimed, “They have to be careful because we don’t want nobody hurting Obama.”

Once on board, the excitement started to grow.  A young woman from Springfield, Illinois, (and an Illinois State University grad) who works for the Department of Human Services, decided at the last minute to make the trip.  Most on the flight did not have tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, and one young woman hadn’t yet determined where she would be staying. Nevertheless, all expressed the desire to be a part of history.

Once on the ground, the excitement grew.  You could see it in the eyes of those who were making their first trip to the Capitol that this was something special, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I will be spending the evening with friends in Virginia, visiting and mapping out my transportation into Washington, D.C., in the morning.  Much more tomorrow…

New blogger signing on (January 19, 2009)

From Julie Schifeling ‘96 MA ‘03…

Growing up, I would watch every political convention, each State of the Union Address and Inauguration, and imagine that I one day I would attend one of these events.  Little did I know that Bradley University and its alumni would provide me with opportunities to turn these dreams into reality.  In 2003, while in Washington, D.C., to conduct thesis interviews, Congressman Ray LaHood ‘71 provided me with a ticket to the State of the Union address–historic because this was when President Bush laid out his plan to go into Iraq.  Fast forward to 2009.  Brad McMillan, Executive Director of the Institute for Principled Leadership, and my boss, returned from Washington, D.C., where he attended Rep. Aaron Schock’s ‘02 swearing-in ceremony and reception, and surprised me with the announcement that he secured a ticket for me to attend President Obama’s swearing-in ceremony.  I was speechless.  So, the airline tickets have been purchased, accommodations secured, and I will arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday afternoon, excited and humbled to be able to attend this historic event.

Day 9 (January 18, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Traveling to the concert

Today, I woke up early to begin what I expected to be a long and busy journey to the National Mall to see the “We Are One” concert.  The concert had been receiving a lot of media hype, as it was to feature many entertainers, including U2, Beyonce, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Usher and the President-elect.  Lots of excitement surrounded the event.  I journeyed to the events with Lauren Porto ‘10 and Owen Irwin ‘10, along with other members from our group.  Military police, D.C. police and National Guard troops were everywhere in the streets, all of which were closed down for blocks.  We met small crowds in the Metro and on the streets until we reached one of the security checkpoints leading into the National Mall.

It was good to know that concert attendees were being watched over; however, it was eerie to be near such high security. As we entered the Mall, we scoped out an area near the reflecting pool and also close to a Jumbotron screen. The crowds began to swarm close to noon.  I turned to look at the Washington Monument, and the hill it is on looked like a giant anthill with little ants covering the ground.  As concert time approached, the crowd carried out the biggest human wave I’ve ever seen.  Soon Elmo appeared on the screen and got the crowd going by leading us in a cheer.  When Elmo said, “We are” the crowd would yell “one!” Expectations ran high for the concert about to begin.

“We are One”

The concert began with great fanfare, and the Jumbotron screens announced that this was an HBO production. Although this was a free concert, I’m sure HBO was hoping a few people decided their network was worth the extra premium in the future.  Soon the Vice President-elect and his wife, along with the President-elect and his family were welcomed on stage and took their seats that were enclosed within bulletproof glass.  On top of the Lincoln Memorial, five snipers were positioned throughout the entire show. Clearly security was of the essence.

The concert was a celebration not only of the accomplishments and historic nature of Barack Obama’s election, but also a tribute and memorial for great leaders of the past and our country.  The atmosphere was reminiscent of something from a grand Fourth of July spectacle, only without the fireworks fanfare and warm weather.  My favorite highlight was a series of readings by Tom Hanks, paying tribute to the nation’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.  The crowd was moved as we remembered the man who saved the Union, and whose constant gaze was on the audience during the concert.  I also enjoyed appearances and readings by comedians Steve Carell and Jack Black.  It is not often that you see them present a serious message in front of an audience.  It was a nice change.

The Vice President-elect gave a speech; however, the crowd didn’t seem to latch onto every word of his as they were with some of the speakers. A group of college students next to us claimed that they lived next to Joe Biden and were friends of his family.  They yelled quite raucously throughout the entire concert for Joe Biden.

Another great performance was by Stevie Wonder, Usher and Shakira.  While Stevie and Usher seemed in their element and delivered marvelous and inspiring performances of “Higher Ground,” when Shakira joined them on the stage, she just felt awkward.  Still a good number though.

The best performance was given by country singer Garth Brooks, who did a cover of “Shout.”  Not only did he have his back-up choir jumping, but thousands in the audience, and even the President-elect joined in!  The concert featured performers chosen to appeal to all generations (I didn’t know who Bettye LaVette was…oops).

Eventually, President-elect Obama took his turn at the podium.  The crowd never screamed louder during the concert than when he spoke. The crowd was also never quieter during the concert than when he spoke, hanging onto each word.  His speech was humble, focusing on America and celebrating our history and hopeful future. I believe this was the best approach for the concert, which at times may have felt a little bit like a campaign celebration.

Beyonce was the last to grace the stage and gave my favorite performance of “America the Beautiful” to date. One last note, at the end of the concert a kind female voice came over the speakers saying, “Please remain seated until the Vice President-elect and President-elect and their families leave the platform.”  Of course, the thousands in attendance had all been standing for well over two hours, and a roar of laughter filled the National Mall.

One thing I did during the concert was collect free buttons. I collected several Inauguration buttons from Pepsi and one from the National Park Service.  My grandma always had a collection of buttons, so I’m hoping to start mine this weekend–no one turns down free buttons.

The Return Journey

Although, we beat the crowd on the way into the National Mall, we faced mass-orchestrated chaos on the way out. Our initial plan to cross immediately into Virginia to Arlington Cemetery was hindered by a police blockade for the celebrities who participated in the concert.  This meant that we would be taking a three-mile walk back to our hotel as we figured the metro would be overwhelmed with people leaving the concert.  This was a good choice as one of the students from South Dakota in our group ended up in the metro during the rush and said that the number of people was scary and, at times, almost unbearable on the train.  It was if Washington, D.C., had been shut down as hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets, stopping traffic where traffic was still allowed.  I was reminded of all the disaster movies I’ve seen with people filling the streets, walking to an unknown destination.  Luckily, we knew our destination, and within an hour and a half, had made it safely out of the District and into our hotel.  This was a good practice run for learning how to get out of the crowds during the Inauguration, when the crowds may be eight times larger.

On the way back, I saw an art gallery displaying modern artwork featuring Barack Obama.  I’m hoping to make it back to the gallery tomorrow.

Day 8 (January 17, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Newseum

With the seminar over, I now have plenty of time to peruse the streets and sites of Washington, D.C., that I had yet to see.  First stop, the Newseum, a newly open museum documenting the history of the news!  The museum features several exhibits, most notably a replica of eight panels of the Berlin Wall, a radio tower from the world trade center, hundreds of interactive displays and daily front pages from newspapers around the world.

My favorite display was a gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photos.  If you are ever looking to be moved through photographs–this is the place.  The best of human emotion is documented alongside the depravity of indescribable loss.  I was moved by the stories surrounding each photo and the photographer who captured the scene.  Just as the pictures had an effect on me as the viewer, they had a strong impact on the journalists who captured them, as well. A 3D movie highlighting the importance of having a free press came complete with movable chairs and special effects.  I would expect something like this from Disney, not a museum, but I had a good time nonetheless.

National Archives

I love the movie National Treasure, and I felt like character Ben Gates as I went into the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence among other important documents.  I, however, was not there to steal that document.  Rather, I was there to see the oldest and arguably most important record of our nation’s founding that has brought us where we are today.  In the viewing area before the entry to the line for the other documents, a display featured the Magna Carta.  Though the display casing for the Magna Carta was impressive, it paled in comparison with that of the Constitution and the Declaration.  I could see the temperature, pressure and pH-monitor inside the casing of the Magna Carta.   Just like in the movie, when visitors so much as breath on the glass casing, the monitor will pick it up in an effort to keep the document exposed to the perfect environment for preservation.  Now that’s high-tech.

The Declaration was unrecognizable.  At 200 years old, not much of it is left to see on the original document.  At first glance, I even missed the famous signature of John Hancock.  However, upon closer examination I was able to see the famous signature.  It was awe-inspiring to know that the powerful document that declared our nation independent from the largest world power at the time was only inches away.  The Constitution and Bill of Rights were just as impressive in their display, surrounded by thick bullet and explosion- proof glass.  It’s a wonder to see something preserved for such a long time. It is also comforting to know that the strength of our nation, while founded with those documents, does not rely upon their physical existence to move forward.  I enjoyed seeing a piece of history that truly may not last physically for the ages.

On my way out of the Archives, I saw a Caterpillar mobile power unit.  I work at Caterpillar Logistics and found it fascinating to see yet another piece of central Illinois present in the city.  I never even thought about the important work that Caterpillar is doing for these Inauguration events.  I also saw the Internal Services and Revenue Building, the press box where D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty will watch the parade, and the red carpet for the BET honors inaugural gala.

National Holocaust Memorial

I ‘d been told that the National Holocaust Memorial is a must see in D.C.  I was told correctly.  As the Pulitzer Prize winning photos moved me earlier in the day, I was moved once again.  Its permanent exhibit, The Holocaust, documents and presents the history of this atrocity from beginning to end.

To see how the Nazis fueled hatred and anti-Semitism into genocide is disturbing and sad.  The museum is truthful and graphic in its telling. This was, after all, the mass killing of six million people for no reason other than their existence.  One particular part of the exhibit that stuck with me was a room that had thousands of shoes on the ground collected from the concentration camps after the war.

A quote on the wall by Yiddish poet, Moshe Szulsztein said it all:
“We are the shoes, we are the last witnesses.
We are shoes from grandchildren and grandfathers
From Prague, Paris and Amsterdam,
And because we are only made of fabric and leather
And not of blood and flesh,
Each one of us avoided the hellfire.”

The great part about this museum was its call to action.  This was not simply a museum to see and walk away from, but to see and be changed.  The truth is that there is a genocide going on today in the world, and we, as citizens of this planet, have an obligation to speak up on behalf of genocide victims. I’m not sure exactly what that will entail, but I hope to be a stronger advocate for those whose voices are being snuffed out due to such hatred.

“We are One” Dress Rehearsal

Leaving the Museum, Lauren Porto ‘10 and I decided to stop by the Lincoln Memorial to scope out the set-up for the “We Are One” concert tomorrow.  According to the news, over one million people are expected to show up, so we wanted to make sure we knew the lay of the land. The first thing, I noticed were the hundreds of portable toilets among the national monuments.  Despite their extreme numbers, with an expected 4-million visitors and only 5000 portable toilets…well, you can do the math.  We also saw several of the first-aid stations and fences going up everywhere.

As we approached the Lincoln Memorial, we heard what appeared to be a sound test for the concert the following evening.  Jumbotron screens are being constructed throughout the national mall for the concert and the Inauguration.  On the stage we saw Barack Obama and Joe Biden stand-ins conduct stage movements, as the HBO stage crew practiced changing sets for the bands.  The weather was cold, so I will be certain to dress in MANY, MANY layers tomorrow.  But, I’m not complaining. The temperature is still far above the sub-zero temperatures in Illinois lately!

From the scope of the practice session this evening, I can tell that this concert is going to be amazing.  It will be broadcast twice on HBO tomorrow, but you can look forward to the inside scoop and my response to my first HUGE crowd of people!  It’s been a long and exciting week, but now the true fun begins–the official Inauguration activities.  Inside Union Station where I grabbed a bite to eat, Inauguration attendees were arriving by the thousands.  This is going to be historic.

See you all tomorrow!  Please let me know if there are any questions you have about my experiences so far.

Day 7 (January 16, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Meeting Sen. Roland Burris

This morning the seminar portion of The Washington Center officially concluded. Our speakers included Sam Donaldson, a panel of retired congressman, and a wrap-up lecture by Prof. Steve Bell.

In the afternoon, following up on the invitation to meet newly appointed Illinois Sen. Roland Burris, Lauren Porto ‘10 called his Chief-of-Staff and we were soon waiting to congratulate him and wish him well in his service to our great state. Although the situation surrounding his appointment was not ideal, he is now our senator, so we wanted to let him know that we support him.

During our short wait to meet with Sen. Burris, his office must have received more than 20 phone calls from people regarding tickets his office might have for the Inauguration. The receptionist kindly explained over and over that they did not, but I can only imagine that this had almost been her full-time job since his appointment. Soon Sen. Burris emerged from his office with a glow of excitement on his face. Although new to his post, he looked like a seasoned senator. Again, I noticed that he appeared shorter than I thought from on television. Why is this always my first reaction?  His actions, however, were different.

He took the time to shake each of our hands, ask about our hometown, major and discuss our school and university experience.  I could tell that things were very busy in his office, yet he took nearly 15 minutes to meet with us.  This was unlike the exposure I’ve had with other senators and was very pleased. I hope he can make this welcoming attitude a highlight of his tenure.

Capitol Tour

My group then crossed the road and went down the stairs into the lavish and newly opened Capitol Visitor’s Center for the official Capitol tour.  The Visitor’s Center is beautiful and there are statues everywhere, which I later learned were given one per state to be displayed. The tour began with a 15-minute movie, “Out of Many, One”.  The movie was a broad display and record of the history of the Capitol building and its influence on our nation’s democracy.

I felt truly inspired to finally be in the Capitol. The tour, however, was a bit disappointing because of the limitations created from security concerns.  Unlike the House and Senate Office buildings, there were places our group simply was not welcome to explore and as a result we only saw three rooms: The Rotunda, Statuary Hall, and the crypt. In the lavish Rotunda, I learned about the artwork that donned its wall. (Did you know that the Statue of Liberty could fit inside the Capitol Rotunda and be 24 feet short from the top?)  Unlike my impression of the senators, the Rotunda actually appeared taller than I expected.

Inside Statuary Hall I was able to see Illinois’ contribution: a statue of Frances Willard, the great educator from Illinois and the first female statue to be added to the collection. The crypt was an odd room that was supposed to be the final resting place of Pres. George Washington and his wife Martha. I don’t blame Pres. Washington for requesting other burial plans. I’m not sure I’d want to be buried in such a frequently travelled place but I wonder what his reasons were?

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi interrupted our tour twice and created a buzz each time she walked across the Rotunda. I thought she appeared to enjoy the attention. After the tour, we obtained gallery passes to watch the Senate and House in action.

An interesting note on obtaining such passes; if you are a U.S. citizen you must travel to the office building of your senator or representative to get a pass, requiring a decent walk and considerable amount of time to locate their offices. However, if you are not an American citizen, you are able to get  passes from the desk inside the Visitor’s Center. This, in effect, makes it easier for non-citizens to see our government in action than citizens. I understand that this is in place to encourage U.S. citizens to meet their representatives; however, the end result is a little skewed. Luckily, we had a Canadian in our group and quickly obtained passes without the extra walk. Much to our disappointment, the galleries were closed when we arrived.

Influx of tourists

On my group’s return trip from the Capitol, I noticed an influx of tourists arriving for the Inauguration, excitement on their faces to accompany the hundred of Obama hats and buttons each one was wearing. I thought it was funny that after only one week in Washington, I was quick to point out “tourists” who were new to the city, even though I myself was one! Throughout the metro, official signs had begun to spring up, directing passengers in the direction of the “Capitol” and the “Parade Route”.

New Friends

One of the greatest experiences throughout this seminar has been getting to know students from across the country and expanding my horizons as new friendships are built. In my group there are students from South Dakota, Missouri, Kentucky, and Canada. Each one of us has had similar experiences in our lives that have helped shape who we are, but have also had very different experiences due to our regional differences. I’ve enjoyed so much the conversations we’ve had this week; not only on politics, policies and speakers, but on careers, goals, and our futures.

There have been many opportunities to spend time together whether travelling on the metro, walking the streets of downtown D.C., or studying together as we prepare for our seminar. The friends I’ve made will not last forever, but I’ve got some great contacts that I know I’ll see again.  We’ll attend the “We Are One” concert together on Sunday, where we’re hoping to see Beyonce and our president-elect. I wonder if they’ll both appear shorter than I imagined. We are all excited that we have a ticket to history!

Day 6 (January 15, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Ambassador from Pakistan

The morning began with a special guest, His Excellency Ambassador Husain Haqqani, the Pakistan Ambassador to the U.S. He began with a quote that Hillary Clinton said during her hearing for the post of Secretary of State, “The world cannot solve its problems without America, but America cannot solve its problems without the world.”  The Ambassador provided a perspective on our country and the world that is often difficult for some Americans and myself to fully grasp in our country that he said was a “self-contained world”. He mentioned statistics that many Americans do not own passports and proudly state that they have never travelled abroad.  The Ambassador encouraged us as college students to travel the world, to better understand our global neighbors.  There is a transformation going on in Pakistan to a fully democratic country and he was excited by his country’s progress. An interesting viewpoint was when he discussed the war on terror and Pakistani youth. He said that the mission of their government on the war on terror is to “give a future to those whom the terrorists are trying to recruit today” and said they measure their success by the question “are we denying terrorist the opportunity to recruit more of our youngsters?”.  Much attention is given in America’s youth surrounding the war on drugs while in Pakistan he said that they are just trying to keep young people from blowing up themselves and others. This was shocking to think on the differences, yet also the similarities, between our two countries’ youth. Is the war on drugs waged to give young Americans hope and a future?  Another interesting story was his account of dinner with President Bush. The President asked how many of the Pakistani delegation had been in jail in their country for government-related issues–all raised their hands.  The Ambassador went on to explain how Pakistan has grown the last few years and how very lucky we are to live in a country where you aren’t exiled or imprisoned each time a new party comes to power.  In regards to prison time, I guess Illinois government isn’t doing so bad after all–but we certainly could do better.

Meeting Congressman Schock

My next stop after lunch was the Cannon House Office Building (CHOB) with Owen Irwin ‘10 and Lauren Porto ‘10, where we met the 18^th District of Illinois Representative, Aaron Schock, in his office. On the way, we passed in front of the east side of the U.S. Capitol. This building is as phenomenal looking as it is huge; there was also an impressive security detail and it was difficult to keep track of the large number of police hidden among the pillars. When we arrived at the CHOB, we located Schock’s office on the fifth floor. We were greeted by his Chief-of-Staff and welcomed to his office. Schock was on his way back from the House and we waited with a reporter who was going to interview him. It was apparent that not only was his office extremely busy, but that the Congressman was busy too-an  accomplishment and testimony to the dedication and labor of a very young junior representative. Soon he walked in and immediately gave us his full attention.  He welcomed us back to his office and gave us a quick tour of everything-which wasn’t much he admitted as he’d only been there for a week. Speaking to the Congressman was quite an honor, but what was most memorable was the respect and interest he gave to us. He was excited to hear what we thought about Washington and to provide insight and help in any way possible. We even joked about Beyonce and his “celebrity status” as the youngest member of Congress. He was very down to earth and certainly humble. We snapped a photo and soon were off.  We’ll see Rep. Schock again at the Inauguration. While in the building, we stopped by several other House offices: Ron Paul of Texas, Peter Roskam of Illinois, and Nancy Pelosi of California. At each office we were welcomed and greeted kindly by the staff.  Each told us (with the exception of the busy Speaker of the House) that the Congressman would have enjoyed getting to meet us and take a photo.  It was encouraging to see how transparent the House was and how open our lawmakers were. Had we been on official business representing a need for our constituency, we could have most certainly had an attentive audience with the representatives.

Senate Offices

Taking Rep. Schock’s advice, we travelled over to the complex of Senate Office Buildings to visit the offices of renowned Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton, among others. We probably looked like confused freshman on the first day of class, wandering the hallways, excited yet extremely nervous.  The first office we found was John McCain’s. The door was open and we walked right in. I was so nervous.  Eventually we inquired whether Sen. McCain was in. We were informed that the senator was not in and encouraged to stop back another time.  We continued our Senate search by locating the directory of Senate Offices. The list did not contain Sen. Clinton’s office as she had resigned earlier that morning and vacated her offices already. Another surprise was the addition of Roland Burris to the directory as Senator for Illinois.  After a short elevator ride we found Burris’s new office. Although Sen. Burris was not in, we were given a phone number and encouraged to stop by tomorrow.  We hope to congratulate him and wish him well in his service to the people of the great State of Illinois.  A quick stop was made at Sen. Dick Durbin’s office as well.  All and all, my impression was that the Senate and senators were much more closed than the House.  While in the House, you found busy representatives eager to meet with visitors when their schedule allowed; in the Senate you found senators not as obliging in all cases.  I wonder if this is related more to their job requirements or term limits?  Would getting elected every two years change how you acted as opposed to every six years?

Surprise Encounter

Next we wanted to see the hearing for Eric Holder, President-Elect Obama’s selection for Attorney General. In the basement of the Russell Senate Office Building, we were near the elevators when Owen whispered, “Sen. McCain”.  My heart stopped beating and my mouth gaped open for a split second as Sen. John McCain walked past by brushing against my shoulder as he walked toward the elevator. Lauren and I did not know what to say; could we really run into John McCain in the basement of this building?  Luckily, Owen responded with a quick, “Hello Sen. McCain” and was greeted with an enthusiastic “Hello to you” from the senator. He was shorter than I had imagined. Clearly I needed to prepare myself for the reality that anyone could be around the next corner.  I was ready for our next encounter (hoping that there would be one).

Attorney General’s Hearing

We found our way to SR-325, where the hearing was going on behind large wooden doors.  The three of us were confused as to whether or not we could enter. Owen asked a cameraman near the door if we could enter or if we had to wait. His response spoke volumes and really sums up the openness and accessibility of our democracy.  He said “I don’t know, can you?  It’s called a democracy.  It’s YOUR country.”  Wow!  If that doesn’t speak to you about the greatness of our country, I don’t know what will.  So we walked into the hearing for Eric Holder in progress and took seats.  The United States government is truly a government of the people, by the people–I need to exercise this right more often, not only during elections.  Why is there a perception that Capitol Hill is off limits?  Was this created by the people?  Or by lawmakers?  The hearing was fascinating, as senators grilled Mr. Holder on his past record and policies pertaining to their constituents. Questions were fielded to Mr. Holder about civil liberties and gun laws.  I was struck by the firmness of the senators and the confidence of Mr. Holder’s voice. After 20 minutes we had to leave in order to make an engagement later that night with The Washington Center which had arranged a special performance by political comedian Mark Russell.  He was equally as offensive to both political parties and had the audience engaged with every off-color joke he told.  Today was full of events, and I must say I’m still recovering from my encounter with John McCain. At least I’ll be prepared for when I visit the Capitol for a tour tomorrow.

Day 5 (January 14, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

White House press secretary speaks

Today, I was excited to see the C-SPAN trucks outside of the auditorium once again.  The schedule of speakers said only “Guests TBA”, so I was unsure what or who to expect.  However, a short young woman with blonde hair walked into the auditorium and up to the front where the host of Washington Journal Live Steve Scully was preparing for the show and began talking with him.  I’ve seen her before, I thought to myself, but I wasn’t recalling exactly where.  Then the announcement was made, our guest today would be White House press secretary Dana Perino!  This was going to be an interesting show, guaranteed.  The live broadcast began with much the same pomp and circumstance as the day before, and I was feeling like a veteran by this point.  Dana began by explaining a little bit of what President George W. Bush had been up to the last few days.  She said that the First Lady was busy packing and that President Bush was as busy as ever working with the Obama transition team.  Press Secretary Perino said that her job was to be “responsible for the care and feeding of the press.”   She explained that this entailed getting to the White House by 6:20 AM each morning and reading a binder of information at home each night.  She does her job well.  Several students asked questions that reflected President Bush in a less than positive light.  Her responses were always quick, well defended and difficult to counter-argue.  She was asked what one myth she would dispel about President George W. Bush and said that the most frustrating myth is that President Bush has “gone it alone” in world affairs.  She said that he has “good relations around the world” and that “[other nations] trust him”.  Another interesting, and funny moment is when she addressed Bush-isms.  She said that part of her job was also to correct any comments made by the President that may have been interpreted wrong.  Press Secretary Perino said that new mediums such as youtube have made her job even more interesting because of off the cuff statements that can be recorded and posted at almost any time.  For example, at a recent event President Bush was overheard saying “Wall Street got drunk, we all got the hangover”.  Her discussion was very engaging and the audience hung on every word she said, she was after all the mouth of George W. Bush.  The question was not asked, but I wanted to ask her how she handles situations when personal convictions or beliefs run against decisions or information she is reporting or asked to report.  Often people call her position the “spin doctor”.   I would be curious to know exactly how much of that is true.  Maybe she will write a book someday.

Canadian Embassy and Obama Motorcade

My afternoon took me to the Canadian Embassy to visit and hear about Canadian involvement in Washington and United States policies.   The Embassy building itself was impressive and ornate.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I didn’t expect the building to be so large (this seems to be a theme, confused expectations and buildings being larger than imagined).  From the Embassy the United States Capitol building could be seen straight ahead.  The Canadian Embassy was the closest embassy to the Capitol building which the Canadian representative said was indicative of the close relation between the United States and Canada.  The representative answered questions from students for over an hour.  A theme I kept hearing repeated was just how excited Canadians, and the rest of the world, were for the Obama Inauguration.    The representative said that many world leaders and their countries are looking forward to associating closely with the Obama Administration.  I wonder if this will continue beyond the initial excitement of having a new President?  The Canadian Embassy is hosting a large celebration event at their Embassy which will feature the Chicago Bears!  On our way out of the embassy, we encountered closed roads and police officers everywhere.  Something was happening, someone was on the move.  I walked up to a police officer patrolling the curb in front of the embassy and struck up a conversation.  He was very polite and answered many questions.  Then he asked if I knew who was going to be coming through here.  Of course I did not.  Obama, he said. WHOA!  Over the walkie-talkie at his side I heard “departure” followed by “on the move”.  Then the motorcade followed-motorcycles, police cars, SUV’s, ambulances and even a helicopter overhead.  I waved at the motorcade hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of President-elect.  While I can’t be sure, I’m pretty sure that I did see him in one of the middle SUV’s.  Again, the windows were all tinted, but I think that it was probably him in there.   To think, I was 150 feet from Obama!  An interesting thing I noticed was that the motorcade was missing the traditional flags that are on the cars of heads of state.  I found the motorcade to be quite impressive, I wonder how much more so this will be after the Inauguration.

Pentagon Memorial at Night

I met after this with my group in Union Station to discuss all of the days activities.  My faculty advisor, Nancy Cade, from Pikeville College in Kentucky, helped prepare us for the Inauguration day.  She asked us if we have any concept of what a million people will be like.  I have no idea what a million people will be like, much less 2 to 4 million which are expected on that day.  I felt overwhelmed at the thought, but look forward to experiencing something of such magnitude!  I had the rest of the evening free so I decided to go to the Pentagon to see the 9/11 Memorial.  I rode the metro to the “Pentagon” stop and when I got off of the escalator I was surprised to find that the Pentagon was literally right next to me!  Here was the center of all defense and military operations and I was right next to it!  I began looking for the memorial and found signs that lead me 3/5 of the way around the building.  This was a long walk.   It was rush hour and many people were going home from work.  I was struck with just how normal they looked.  Not always military personnel, but easily someone’s mom, dad or grandma.  There were signs everywhere about military IDs, and not cameras.  I was a little intimidated walking around the building.  I finally found myself at the 9/11 memorial.  It was inexpressibly beautiful and haunting.  I remember when the Pentagon was hit.  I remember hearing on the news, seeing pictures and much more.  Yet here I was, paying respects at literally the same place where the building was hit and the lives were lost.  The memorial features smooth benches with an almost wing-like appearance, representing the lives lost both on the plane and on the building, depending which way the bench pointed.  Each bench represents a life that was lost and is arranged in order from youngest to oldest.  The youngest was born in 1998 and was three years old.  Underneath each bench is a section of flowing water and a soft green light illuminated each.  I pondered the artistic meaning behind the symbolism of this memorial.  I uttered the words “thank you” and left to walk back in the cold.  There were a lot of things on my mind.

Day 4 (January 13, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

AlertDC

I woke up this morning to a text message from the AlertDC emergency text messaging service telling me that delays on the metro system were due to police activity regarding a suspicious package left at the stop before our usual morning destination. Seven text alerts later, the situation had been cleared, and that metro stop was given the all clear.  It was a brief reminder that we do live in a post 9/11 world.

Live on C-SPAN

At the UDC auditorium we were greeted by the sight of a television broadcasting truck, indicating that C-SPAN would be covering part of our morning session – live.  The weekly C-SPAN show, Washington Journal Live, was filmed from the auditorium.  It was exciting being in the same room with a live television broadcast!  The host, Steve Scully, fielded questions live over the phone from the viewing, listening, and live audiences.

Special guests joining him for the program were Bret Baier from FOX News and Juan Williams from National Public Radio (NPR).  Mr. Baier said in response to a question on media biases that “news is a business, and you are trying to make money.”  I found this response both unsettling and revealing.  I do not mind that news may be slanted towards a political base to make money. However, I am concerned when people do not realize the bias and may actually think that FOX News or MSNBC is giving them the “real news.”

Mr. Williams poignantly stated, “News has drifted away from the networks to cable.  [Viewers] don’t go for it for just the news. They go to it looking for an angle they already have.”   Certainly this is something to consider when media insiders admit such things about the media empire and its viewership.

Another interesting tidbit I picked up from the morning session was the prediction from Tom Wheeler, Head of Transition of Technology and Science for the Obama administration, that the digital transition may be delayed beyond the February 17, 2009 date that has been set due to the coupon program running out.  This means we should prepare for continued public service announcements about the upcoming digital transition.

White House security and Obama transition

I haven’t seen a strong police presence in the city beyond the high profile locations and tourist spots.  I believe that I may have found where they are all hiding – the White House.  Today, I stopped by the White House and was surprised to see just how much security surrounded the area. Blockades and police were everywhere on Pennsylvania Avenue in preparation for the Inaugural parade.  I enjoyed seeing the spot on the White House lawn where the press corps broadcast their live news reports.  I was also impressed at the security detail around the enclosure that will house President Obama and Vice President Biden with their families during the parade.

To wrap things up, my group crossed the block to the Hay-Adams Hotel where the President-elect is staying with his family.  The security surrounding the complex was intense, and I wasn’t even allowed to take pictures of the building head-on.  Welcome signs for Malia and Sasha Obama were on the building across the street. I bet they’re having the time of their lives.  I wonder what that would be like to be a child of a President?

Chamber of Commerce reception

Next door to the Hay-Adams Hotel was the United States Chamber of Commerce where I attended an evening reception with special guest Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation.  The reception was very nice and bustling with the 673 students from 47 states at the convention. It was an honor to see Peoria’s name among the list of contributing cities to the construction of the chamber in Washington.

While we were hoping that President-elect Obama would hear the good time (and fun) we were having at the chamber and stop by, we were pleased to have Mr. Schieffer speak with us for a few minutes.  His talk was directed to the attendees of the seminar, and he helped put into perspective the importance of all that we are seeing this week.  It was interesting to hear him recount his own stories of professional reporting, such as getting the first interview with Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother on a whim. He was gracious and connected with the audience, treating us with respect and interest.

I was able to meet him and shake his hand after the reception.  It was a great honor to meet someone with such a strong reporting history and realize all the change he has seen in his lifetime.  A true inspiration.

Tomorrow I’m visiting the Canadian Embassy with the Canadian students in my group; I’m looking forward to visiting more with our friends from up north.

Day 3 (January 12, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

A new week

Once again I found myself up before the sun had risen, taking a brisk walk to the metro station with new friends from across the country.  It always amazes me how college students can adapt to new people at the drop of a hat.  I’ve decided that it will be cheaper for me to buy individual fares instead of a day pass today.  I’m not sure why, but I really enjoy using the fare machine as it gives change in golden one dollar coins.  The Presidents on the front were a nice touch to the patriotic march of the city during the Inauguration week.

Advertisements give hope

As if “Pepsi frenzy” had swept through the metro overnight, Pepsi advertisements about the upcoming Inauguration were everywhere.   I’ve never witnessed a company back an event so wholeheartedly.  Although I drink lots of Coke, I have to say the messages were energizing and exciting to see plastered throughout the metro.  I may begin drinking more Pepsi.  Many lobbyist messages appeared in the metro from MoveOn.org and Amnesty International, urging President-elect Obama to action during his first 100 days.

Memo to a new president

Our morning time began with a lecture by Dr. Michael Genovese, the author of our course textbook, Memo to a New President.  Dr. Genovese highlighted many of the challenges that President Obama will face when he comes to office-both those inherited from the current administration and those that all Presidents face. He said that at the beginning of the campaign, candidates were talking about “hope, change. Now [they're] talking about survival.”  Another interesting emphasis he made was that the “framers, by design, made it difficult for the President to lead.” It’s interesting to think that the creators of such a document went through such difficulty to prevent the nation’s primary leader from having too much power.  Dr. Genovese left us with a statement to consider for the day: “The question is not ‘will Barack Obama be powerful,’ but ‘will he be wise?’”  I’m hoping that he is.

Off the Record with the Secret Service

Special Agent David O’Connor was another invigorating speaker.  Mr. O’Connor is in charge of security detail for special events such as Inaugurations and conventions.  He said that the “preparation, scope and the enormity of the Inauguration will be unlike any we’ve ever seen before.”  I cannot even imagine where one would begin to plan for the security of such an enormous event.  He was both interesting and strangely entertaining at the same time. Students at the seminar asked him questions about his service at past venues such as the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.  His responses were honest and sometimes unorthodox-but I was glad to have heard him speak and to know that the safety of this event is in capable hands.  Who knew that someone with such a serious job could have such a personable demeanor?  I wonder why that is?

Presidential portrait gallery

A picture is worth a thousand words-especially if you are the President of the United States. Marc Pachter, Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American History, was another guest speaker who discussed the importance of portraying Presidents through official paintings.  When President Bill Clinton’s picture was commissioned, there was a controversy because he was featured in too casual of dress.  However, the official picture of President George Washington featured him in the equivalent dress of the time-and no one said anything back then.  Mr. Pachter said one of the most important descriptions of an American President is the initial picture of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stewart.  He said that until that picture, no one knew what a President looked like. That picture featured Washington as a common citizen instead of the successful general he was during the war. I wonder how the office of President would have been impacted by the commissioning of such a portrait of Washington as its definitive painting?

Finding common ground

My favorite speakers of the day were Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel, columnists for USA Today. The two are nationally known political commentators who are on the road presenting a dialogue on bipartisanship.  Mr. Beckel, a liberal, began his comments by declaring that the days of polarizing politics are over, and that “the day has now come when [politicians] will be punished for being polarized.”  His conservative counterpart, Mr. Thomas, introduced the common ground theme by saying that “the key to common ground is in personal relationships.”  Mr. Thomas provided important insight into how not only the Congress needs to begin mending bridges, but how everyday citizens should, as well.  It was encouraging to hear both sides point out how President-elect Obama is already practicing common ground to unite the country in tackling the huge economic crisis and appointing a diverse cabinet.  Mr. Thomas also gave a warning to those who wish to change Washington saying, “You don’t change Washington, Washington changes you.”  I wonder how much truth there is to such a statement?   I hope that I can bring this message of finding common ground amongst Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives back to central Illinois and Bradley.  We all need to find issues we agree on, and begin an open, safe and respectful discussion on those we don’t.

Group meeting - O Canada!

In an effort to find common ground not just within this country but also on the international scene, group discussion turned to three Canadian students in my group who are here for the Inauguration.  Certainly, they come from a country both similar, yet extremely different from mine.  In discussing common ground I was able to learn about some of the prejudices that exist in their country. While different from American prejudices, they highlight the same need people have for building a common ground.  An interesting discussion began about the segregation and separation movements of some regions of Quebec.  The students said that they face discrimination for attending an English University, and that they find adults are rude to the “Anglo-phones” (English-speaking Canadians) in their region. It’s apparent that there are prejudice barriers to overcome no matter where you are in the world.  Are we capable of overcoming them? I hope so.

Heads of state

During the evening I made a quick stop at the National Archives and Smithsonian along with Lauren Porto ‘10, only to find them closed for the evening.  Of course, I was sad to have missed one opportunity to view the United States Constitution, but we were both in for a surprise.  As we were walking to the metro station, we saw a motorcade, sirens and all, of Capitol Police cars heading our way.  I quickly grabbed my camera hoping to see someone of interest.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t make out a face, but I did notice the Mexican flag on several of the vehicles.  It was then that I realized that those cars must have the Mexican President Felipe Calderón on board, as he had met with President-elect Obama earlier that day.  Although I didn’t see him, it was fascinating to think that a foreign head of state may have been just feet away.  I’m still not sure how I’m going to react to seeing the President-elect in person. He seems so much larger than life!  Only one more week!

Day 1 & 2 Recap (January 10-11, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Getting to D.C. 1/10/2009

I’ve learned that when traveling, uncertainty is the norm. My initial flight out of Bloomington was delayed three times, and my connecting flight to Washington from O’Hare was cancelled twice.  I heard there was a blizzard.  I eventually flew through Atlanta and arrived in Washington around 10 p.m.  Much of the journey was spent reading course material, but I took a much-needed break to look out my plane window as we finally glided into Reagan National Airport and realized that I was now in one of the most important cities on Earth.  I also caught my first glimpse of our U.S. Capitol Building from the air–an impressive sight.

A city in transit–braving the metro

Once at the airport, I soon had my first experience on the metro line.  I’ve ridden on mass transportations systems in other cities; however, I was truly impressed by the ease, organization and artistry of Washington’s metro.  This system was built for all citizens of the city and all citizens of the city used it–regardless of class.  After one short metro ride, I was safely checked into my room and got some much-needed rest.

The morning begins with CNN  1/11/2009

The alarm went off at 6:15 a.m. EST. Mind you, that is 5:15 a.m. Peoria time, and quite early for college students such as myself! I was once again back on the metro, only this time accompanied by a massive swarm of over 500 students from the seminar I am attending, all making our way to the University of the District of Columbia campus for our first day of speakers.  At the auditorium we were greeted by Eugene Alpert, Ph. D. and Senior Vice President of The Washington Center who told us, “Washington is like the game show, Jeopardy. All the answers are here. You must find the right questions to ask.”   As I contemplated those words, I realized even more that I was truly in for a special time in Washington, D.C., the city with the answer to my nation’s questions, and many of the world’s, as well.

Another segment of the morning lecture series featured Dana Bash, the Senior Congressional Correspondent for CNN.  Dana was a wealth of information, experience and knowledge on all things Washington, having previously covered the White House under George W. Bush, the campaign trail with John McCain, and now the Congress.

I presumed that her experience would be impressive, and I was excited to hear her answer questions from students in a genuine way.  I’ve never had the opportunity to meet the President or either of the presidential candidates, and it was insightful to hear firsthand from someone who had.  She described John McCain as sometimes being the “get-off-my-lawn old man” while at other times being “extraordinarily funny.” Ms. Bash also described President George W. Bush as being casual and articulate, especially on education and immigration issues.

After hearing about the candidates and seeing them on TV countless times, I’ve begun to envision them as less than human.  Hearing firsthand accounts of their human nature felt somehow refreshing and encouraging.

Her inside views and opinions were golden, including her insight into the media and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  Ms. Bash was one of the first to speak with the Governor following the November 4 defeat.  Another interesting tidbit was when she mentioned her shock at learning of Hillary Clinton’s appointment to the office of Secretary of State. “You have ‘no drama Obama,’ and you get drama when you have the Clintons.”

Another jewel she gave was advice to aspiring journalists when responding to questions about her career’s future. She said she “stopped guessing a long time ago; what we cover is unpredictable.”

After Ms. Bash had concluded, I had my picture taken with cardboard cutouts of President-elect Obama and Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin.  Of course, this could never replace the opportunity of actually meeting a national figure, but one can only hope that such a meeting may occur.  In Washington, I’m told you never know whom you might run in to.

Tour of the city

In the afternoon, I was particularly looking forward to a bus tour of Washington D.C.  Until that point my only acquaintance with the city was its extensive metro system underworld.  The bus tour consisted of site visits to the Iwo Jima Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the FDR Memorial.  I’d seen pictures of many of these national treasures; however, I’d never imagined that their size and stature would be so impressive.  My breath was taken away by the grandeur of these monuments.

Looking around, I saw the beginnings of the creation of a sort of infrastructure for the Inauguration day activities taking shape all around me.  Seeing the hundreds of portable toilets lining the National Mall in anticipation for millions of people over the next week, was a daunting realization–millions of people were going to fill these open areas!  In front of the Lincoln Memorial, a giant stage was being constructed to host President-elect Obama and Vice-President-elect Biden during their pre-Inauguration exercises and the jumbotron screens from which millions will watch the ceremony on the mall.  It was clear to me, in a new way after seeing this orchestrated effort in its infancy, that I was going to be a witness to history.

At the Lincoln Memorial I bought my first pieces of Obama inauguration souvenirs.  There are hundreds of “Obama stores” in D.C. dedicated to selling t-shirts, cups, mugs and more with his likeness.   The city feels as if it is preparing to welcome home a beloved friend with a huge party.  Big events are going to happen in D.C. over the next few days–and the next four (eight) years.

I’ve always been moved by memorials to those who have served our country through the armed forces, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  While standing at the Vietnam memorial, I was simply lost in the sheer number of names of lost lives–men and women, from such a horrific atrocity as war.  Staring at the names, I realized that the “Billy Joe Clayborn” in front of me could just as easily have been “Benjamin David Koch” in a different time and era.

War is an evil thing, yet here it was appropriately memorialized, being remembered in marble art that was sullen, yet beautiful.  As I read those names, I pondered what the memorial was truly saying to the millions of visitors who come each year.  I believe I found my answer as I noticed my reflection looking back at me while I studied the names on the wall.  We all play a part in remembering these sad times of human history and must work to ensure that more of these memorials are not built.  I stared back at the wall, at the names, at myself, and I was connected to the thousands of lives that were lost.

At the WWII Memorial, I looked up my grandpa in the directory of service.  I was not surprised to see his name was not in the database, but I was once again reminded of the selfless sacrifice that all of those who served during that time made.  My grandpa did not lose his life; however, he gave service to a country he loved and never requested anything in return, not even a mention in the WWII Memorial database.  Cards at the memorial gave instructions on how to add a name to the registry.  My grandpa is about to turn 90.  I’m going to show him pictures from the memorial and thank him for his sacrifice.   I’m also going to ask him if he wouldn’t mind if I submitted his name to the database for future ancestors to see.  I imagine he will decline the offer, but I’m still going to ask.  I want to make sure that I pay proper respect and give due thanks for all that he helped accomplish.

End of the day

While the weather had been pleasant earlier on (dare I say 40 degree weather is pleasant), it began to get quite cold after the sunset.  Our tour ended at Union Station, and after enjoying a delicious meal, it was off to the hotel to reflect on the day and prepare for the next.  I’ve enjoyed the seminar so far and look forward to continuing to build friendships with students from around the country. We’ll learn more about the media and its effect on politics, and we’ll discuss the new administration.  These are exciting times.

My Trip Overview

From Ben Koch ‘10…

Never would I have dreamed that part of my Bradley experience would send me to see the Inauguration of our 44th President!  However, I’ve embarked on the journey of a lifetime.  From January 10 - 21, I will be in Washington, D.C. attending an Academic Seminar with The Washington Center and witnessing the historic Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.  For the first seven days I will be learning from top scholars around the country about the media and the presidency.  I will likely have the opportunity to hear from Bob Schieffer, Moderator of Face the Nation and Ted Koppel, former Anchor of ABC News Nightline.  Throughout the seminar I will be paired with students from across the country in small groups as we learn the ins and outs of “the District” and make site visits to important offices in D.C.  I’ll even have the opportunity to be on C-SPAN 1 or 2!  Yes, I am actually excited about being on C-SPAN. I find that while being extremely informational about government issues and policies, it is also quite calming when you need a break during finals.  To culminate the experience, I will be writing a letter to President-elect Obama expressing my opinion on what issues he should address during his first 100 days and how he should address them.

The last three days I will be attending Inauguration events and celebrations.  On the top of my list, I plan to view the Inauguration Ceremony from prime seats in front of the Capitol, thanks to Congressman Aaron Schock ‘02.  Other highlights include an Abraham Lincoln bicentennial celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, the Inaugural Parade, volunteering in Washington D.C. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and possibly a free Aretha Franklin Concert.  I also plan to take in all the sights of one of the most important cities in the world and one full of so much history.  Being a part of this experience is a blessing.  I look forward to sharing with you about this exciting journey for myself and for our entire country.   Let the change begin.