Internship Journal #8

Last modified on: 9/16/2007, 10:17 PM

What a week this has been!! I am exhausted. We have had staffers of the Clinton Administration come into speak with us about the media and the effect they have on people holding political office. The Parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representative spoke regarding House rules. We had two speakers from the Naval Postgraduate School speak regarding Iraq and the war. They gave suggestions regarding the exit strategies the Bush Administration should take into account. Leon Panetta has spoken several times and his insight into the lack of consensus in Washington, D.C. today is very interesting. Most of the people who have spoken to the group are very concerned by the lack of consensus in D.C. today and I am certainly with them on that front. The compromise that is needed to create policy is lacking in a way that Washington has never seen. So, this begs the question, if the D.C. politicians are not willing to come to any consensus and are moving farther to the left or right, how can they possibly get anything done? Well…no one can answer this question at this time, but suffice it to say that not much is getting done, unless the policy is a nonpartisan or bipartisan. I hope to have the opportunity to answer this question in particular. Mr. Panetta suggested that the independent party could have a great opportunity if the partisan bickering does not end soon. He suggested that the American public will become so frustrated with the status quo of the two party system that they will begin migrating to the independent party and the more people that migrate, the more likely it is that they will have the chance to win seats in the Congress and eventually the Presidency. He went on to suggest that the only way the Republicans win the White House next year is , if Michael Bloomberg enters the race as an Independent. He would pull enough votes away from the Democratic Party to help the Republicans win.

My brain is so full today!! I was actually able to get some rest today, though. Not sleep, but rest…I sat around on my bed today and I was very happy not to have to do anything, until this evening. So, what did we do this evening???? We went to the Panetta Ranch in the Carmel Valley and enjoyed a wonderful dinner under the most beautiful arbor I have seen. The Panetta Ranch was purchased by, Carmelo and Carmelina Panetta in 1946 and Mr. Panetta has lived on the ranch off and on, since he was eight years old. The Panetta home is absolutely beautiful and I feel honored to have been invited to dine in such a magical location. We had a great time chatting and taking photos. Mrs. Panetta told several stories about the family/office dog, "Bravo" a beautiful and very friendly Irish Setter dog who really likes his behind scratched. Mr. and Mrs. Panetta found it humorous that I have a Bluenose Pit Bull named, "Tipper Gore." Mr. Panetta told me that I better be careful of republicans in the neighborhood, when I am calling the puppy!! I had a wonderful evening, but I am tired now, so I will close. I will let you all know that my intention is to update this blogsite a bit more often this week. I hope to have more time to write!!

Until next time,

Eliza