Religious Leaders Arrested at Capitol

This has caused quite a stir on Capitol Hill and brings up many good questions..

SHOULD THESE RELIGIOUS LEADERS BE HERE DOING THIS?

SHOULD THEY VOICE THEIR OPINION ON POLITICAL MATTERS?

SHOULD THEY MAKE AN ACT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TO VOICE THEIR OPINION?

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A RELIGIOUS LEADER IN THE POLITICAL ARENA?

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS:

The Protestors(from the Huffpost):

Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church; the Rev. Jennifer Butler, Executive

Director of Faith in Public Life; the Rev. Paul Sherry, Director of the Washington Office of Interfaith Worker Justice; the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson,

Director of Public Witness in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Sandy Sorenson, Director of Washington Office of the United Church of Christ; Martin Shupack, Director of Advocacy of Church World Service; Jordan Blevins, Director of

Peace Witness Ministries of the Church of the Brethren; and

the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, President of CommonCause.Rabbi Arthur Waskow, of the Shalom Center in Philadelphia.

There is something refreshing about all of this. First, it reminds me of past case when a religious leader lead thousands if not a million or so to march on Washington to protest social injustice, and an issue that needed changed.

This although not as such an obvious issue, it is a pressing one, mostly because of time. The idea of what is a 'Just and compassionate budget' can be debated, but it was moving to see religious leaders from almost every faith standing together, standing on one issue. It makes me wonder-WHAT IS THE CONSERVATIVE legislative body thinking!? If these religious leaders came to protest the very people that traditionally they would have voted to put in office-WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!?

A close friend of mine,(who I might add I respect a great deal) (and also happens to be well versed on matters of religion) Pointed out his concern that perhaps these religious leaders were overstepping their bounds, and entering in entering the political realm.. This is a valid concern. I will be the first to lobby for the proper separation of church and state, but I don't believe that should stop religious leaders and people of faith from speaking out. Perhaps the fact that they did it in such a radical manner was what they were called to do, which accomplished a dialogue on many blogs, and headlines...Publicity stunt?-perhaps.. I guess we should talk leadership-rather we should talk about House leadership..-

I won't get started on John Boehner, his conduct, or his political ideas, but I feel like he's been cornered into a game of politics because he believes that's what he's suppose to do. HIS constituents haven't elected him to "take on the President", like he claims..Its sad that he believes this is his role, and it's sad that the game of politics is the tune in our nations current debt crisis.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDWARD HOPPER

Edward Hopper, Self Portrait (1925-30)

I remember staring into a few of the Edward Hopper Posters my mom had up in her classroom

as a child and wondering what it meant. I wondered who those people were, and my imagination began to wander..

I remember seeing Night Hawks, and thinking about the buildings and the people, and just try to understand the narrative of what was going on.

The second poster was much different it was a sea-scape with whimsical waves, and a boat with a vast open sky in every shade of blue. I remember thinking how a person could be in the city and then on the ocean and paint such pictures or scenes giving me two very different moods.

Perhaps not a very interesting thought, but for a very very young kid it made me think.. His work has stuck with me and has always been a favorite.

A bit of Fort Stevens

The previously mentioned focus project that is based on the Civil War Defenses of Washington has many very notable places involved. One of these places, and that has recently turned into a place of interest is Fort Stevens. Fort Stevens is probably the most well known fort constructed solely for the Civil War. It's most well known as the site of the only place a sitting United States President came under fire in a time of war. Confederate snipers took aim on the President as he was walking the parapets of Fort Stevens. I'm including one site map of the remains, and with this I may have to sign off for a bit and post little more until I get some major work finished.

I also found a really great quote from a book I'm including as well.

The stress is on yet again.

I've been all over the map lately: (1)I'm in the midst of the largest research project I've ever undertaken for my internship, [with extreme determination to prove myself],(2)I've begun to stress over the idea that grad-school begins in weeks and finally,(3) I've met someone.

Christmas music has been helping me through it all. It ironically is the soundtrack that helps me cope with stress the best. I look forward to where everything is moving, and I can't wait to see where it all leads.

I've also adopted a new outlook on stress: (from previous experiences)

STRESS brings out my best traits: determination, optimism, and an

understanding/challenging of my limits. There's a time and place for everything especially stress, which can yield success, or a mess, which you have to power to choose which turns into.

FINALLY, I have to leave you with the quote I adopted in what was perhaps my darkest time in life... I first posted it from a spanish hospital:

"Wear the clothes you have well, savor the food you've been given, the more obstacles the sweeter the goal, pack a rain coat.Life is a scoop: cup or cone." -just me.

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying."

You're been a huge inspiration to me.

-Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela.

Life in the District of Columbia. Pros + Cons [a reflection]

I'm beginning to realize what things I actually like about Washington D.C. and what things I could live without. It's been about three or maybe four weeks since I moved to the District, and I immediately began comparing it to all the other places that I've had the opportunity to live(Philippi, Syracuse,Savannah,Morgantown,LaCoste ..to name a few.)These are a few of the thoughts I have. On it's Pro's and Con's:

• Pro: "Local news is National news." It's a place that does a good job at asserting itself as the center of the American Cosmos. As the seat of the Federal Government the stuff that goes on and plays out on the stages of Congress, the white house, Federal departments and bureaus, even in the intelligence community all are happening just down the street. You ride to work daily with the people who run such organizations. While geographically you may not be in the heart of the country, you are in nations brain.






• Con: "The District has some issues-SERIOUS ones." a.While one would think that the nation's capital would be a place of great influence (which it is) and of highest priority among congressional decisions, the city has some major issues. It has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS of any U.S. city in a report from the New York Times from 2007, link below,(nytimes.com/2007/11/27/us/27aids.html) it states that about 1 in 50 are HIV positive. This can only be compared to countries that most in the US would label "foreign" or even of the "third world". No, this is not Africa, this is the capital of America, and it is not characteristic of the country as a whole. b. While this is the land of the free and home of the brave in the District of Columbia it is the city of the homeless. D.C.'s homeless population is estimated to be somewhere around 6%percent of the population.






• Con: "Taxation without Representation." This maybe the most ironic one on the list, but the capital of the United States(colonies that justified revolution because they were not receiving proper representation in the British ruling Parliament, and unfair taxes) Does NOT give the over 600,000 people living there representation in Congress even though they still pay income taxes. The city is ruled by a city council. As opposed to the past system of having a congressional committee create and manage the municipal budget.






• Pro: "It's a place active in activism." Multiple government buildings and public spaces in the District have served as the setting for some of the most nation changing decisions. The march on Washington is the most obvious example of this, and almost every controversial supreme court decision is illustrated by strong public outcry in front of the Supreme Court Building. Everyone in DC seems to have a very strong understanding of the politics of the nation, as well as multiple people employed by congress and the other branches of government.






• Pro: "The regular perks." Like most larger cities in the U.S. there is a strong emphasis on the humanities, arts and entertainment. The Smithsonian Institution is also a very driving cultural force in multiple forms of museums and Arts. Which are completely free for the most part..






• Pro: "Public transportation in a rather sprawling area." D.C. does a great job of connecting the outerlying areas and suburbs to the city by mass transportation. I wish sooo many other places could grasp this concept and execute it as well as DC does.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, so I may have to amend this list later..

The fourth of July was particularly GREAT.While I am not the flag waving patriotic poster child. I felt patriotic this year. I was my first time enjoying it in the Nation's Capital. Katy and I went to the National Mall to see the fireworks.

As you can see from the photos it was the perfect setting for fireworks to celebrate all the things our country stands for, and the struggles we as a people have overcome. There

was also a great concert with headliner Jo Dee Messina, who I really enjoyed(against some initial skepticism),as well as many patriotic hymns and constant tributes to ourservice men and women. The crowd was extremely diverse, which forme, truly made me feel pride in my country. The crowd on the otherhand was

occasionally out of control in regards to the random shenanigan, but overall the scene was good.. My biggest critique was the fireworks display. While the pyrotechnics and fireworks weresooo amazing and awe-inspiring , the music they played was somewhat confusing. I didn't really understand why "New York New

York" by Frank Sinatra or a few other songs that weren't relevant to the fourth of July. They even played a few religious hymns that

while very moving, was rather 'dubious' shall we say.. I was happy to hear a rip off of the Jeff Buckley song Hallelujah, which is one of my all time favorite songs. The original is better than the version theyplayed, and it has nothing to do with the country or patriotism,

but the song was fitting and evoked a very reflective feeling among the masses.. I'll post it below. With some pics of course. My

apologies on the quality of the images(these are from my cell phone)- I left my camera at home due to the extreme security rituals that are becoming a country custom(at least here in DC)

Fire work pictures will come later.. Promise.

I mentioned earlier that I got the opportunity to go to the Perry Belmont Mansion that serves as the national headquarters for the Order of the Eastern Star. I wanted to pass along some photos I stole from my friend Katy's blog. The grand spaces such as the dining room and foyer can be seen below. You can also see a fellow intern and I checking out the racket ball court that happens to be in the basement. Finally the kitchen, which is a great example of fully preservedturn of the twentieth century. (Minus the refrigerator in the center haha.)It is an amazingplace that again I wish was better preserved and more easily accessible to the general public..

Main Stair^

The kitchen with great appliances and systems from the late nineteenth century complete with refrigerator circa 1989^

Formal entrance of the house complete with glass pigeon(white) donated by the worshipful grand matron 1994^

Checking it out^

The underground racket ball court. Where Perry Belmont once played the Prince of whales. ^

I have soooo much to blog and so little time. There will be a great deal coming later this evening hopefully.

The fourth of July is to Washington DC as St. Patrick's Day is to Savannah...

well kind of.

A city wide feeling of patriotism is in the air, and it's a very fun thing to watch. The National Mall is set up for the fireworks and concert that is to

take place tonight.. I snapped some pictures last night of the rehearsal concert ..After a rather potent storm blew through the musicians and other people scheduled to take stage were able to practice only a few hours after originally planned.

These seven guns are facing the Capitol from the top National Mall.^

This is the stage right in front of the Capitol building. ^

^The stage again.. All RED WHITE AND BLUE OR BLUE WHITE AND RED

(kind of French looking dare I add)

Finally this is one of the skyscrapers on K street. All decked out with RED WHITE AND BLUE^

I can't wait for fireworks tonight. I'll have more pictures tomorrow..

This says sooo much to those who are looking.

It's summer and it's spice and it's everything NICE! While my summer is flying by I am trying to enjoy myself a little bit before the grind of school in the fall. I also have been reading a lot to get ready for what awaits me at the University of Virginia. It's somewhat hard to balance it all sometimes on top of the fact that I have to maintain the regular 9-5 business hours. Needless to say my mind is elsewhere .I'm also realizing that the Independence Day is a rather big event here in our nation's Capitol. I went to a cookout for July 2nd last night, which is actually the true date the declaration was signed on.. It was a blast great people, great food-what's not to love... (did I just quote Rachel Ray o.O ) I'll be heading to another cookout tonight with some of my fellow interns. Tomorrow I plan to go watch the fireworks on the mall (as instructed by my boss. He also mapped out a great place for us all to sit where we will get the best view of the fireworks.. I can't wait!) Washington D.C. just seems like the most logical place to be on a holiday that celebrates the Independence of the nation, and what a backdrop the monuments and national mall will make. I will def. be sharing pictures.

Today was a rather perfect day in the nation's Capitol.

The temperatures demanded no work and all play. Fellow intern Katy and I took it upon ourselves to do some architectural investigation of the McMillan Commission plan

(aka. WE WENT PADDLE BOATING IN THE TIDAL BASIN)

It was a blast! Paddle-boating is a lot of hard work, Although with a light breeze off the mall, and great viewpoints, we could hardly complain.

President Obama even decided to give us a fly over

(look really close you can see him waving in the window of the helicopter...okay I wish, but this was the President's helicopter. )

Destination REACHED !!

After our journey across the tidal basin we went to the cultural Festival which featured Columbian, West African, Jazz, and Southeastern Asian cuisine and tons of other countries had booths and demonstrations. It was sponsored by the Peace Corps, so there were very interesting exhibits on the National Mall.