thoughts of the week

I missed a Wednesday since I missed class last week. I spend from 5am Wednesday morning until 3 pm Thursday—straight w/no sleep—working on my public policies paper…so I had to skip class to finish that. I’m back in class now, thought it’s a discussion night since we just turned in a paper and are discussing what we wrote (it was a book review). In the second half of class, Admiral Vern Clark is coming to speak so I am excited about that. He is the recently retired Chief of Naval Operations—member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He just joined Regent’s faculty and has been around the last couple of weeks in most of my classes, speaking or listening-in. Really fascinating man who has lots of inside info I covet ;) Devoted Christian and only CNO to last through two presidents. General Ashcroft convinced him to come to Regent.

Right now I’m in the middle of a two-week intensive class on civil liberties and national security. General Ashcroft is teaching and that gives it an entirely different aspect…studying the Patriot Act etc.. with the author and proponent is well…fun! It’s an intense class and meets almost every day right now but I’m learning so much. It’s a joint law school class and I’m one of just a couple government students in it…

Anyways, last week was the Philadelphia Society Meeting. What a blast! Definitely the height of intellectual enjoyment. Very different from a “political conference” because this is more of a “secret club” of elite conservatives and it’s their time to just relax and hang out and discuss with eachother. Relatively small group, and just a few of us students sponsored to attend. Most everyone there was the type I’d read their books etc.. Not flashy names, more the intellectual names than the tv conservatives. The theme of discussion was foreign policy. Since there is no consensus on conservative foreign policy, that made for some very interesting debates! All sides from those decrying the war in Iraq and calling for more isolationism to those promoting the President’s democracy programs. Speakers contrasted and panels argued. Everyone having the basic fundamentals of conservativism in common made it much more enjoyable and relaxing, even in the midst of disagreement. It was also amusing because it was very elite in every way, including the meals they fed us, the location etc.. Right in the middle of historical Philadelphia, just blocks from Independence Hall. Saturday night they ISI hosted a special dinner. I’ve never seen anything like it…but then again I guess I haven’t spent too much time on the upper fringes of society ;) It started with appetizers being a zillion exotic cheeses, breads, crackers, and olives and then a open raw bar with lobster, crab legs, oysters, mussels and yeah…pretty much everything else. It was crazy! And then there was the 4 course dinner once we actually sat down. It was insane but fun, especially since the entire weekend was scholarshiped for me, including travel expenses etc… I also learned a lot about the various justifications—conservative justifications—for foreign policy options, and long-term strategies in relation to the Islamic world.

Umm… what else is going on? Last night we had a BBQ at General Ashcroft’s house with Admiral Clark. That was fun. When we do get-together’s, he likes to play the piano have sing-alongs and I really enjoy that. He seems to genuinely like students and takes a liking tome mainly because his daughter shares my name…but anyway, that was fun…

Can’t believe how fast this semester is going by. Still lots of work but getting closer with every paper. Waiting to hear back on potential job offers here on regent’s campus for the fall, as a possibility. I just got a completely random email from a classmate I know from one class, that works for Regent international programs and letting me know she was looking for someone else in a position there. She’s hoping to make it a full-time position by fall, which is what I need… anyway, I’m going to explore it and see what happens. Since it would be development of programs in China, Zambia, Israel etc… with travel etc… it sounds interesting anyway!

I’ve been struggling physically a lot and am frustrated. My headaches are back this week and I don’t know if it’s allergies or what. Ergh. I feel like I’ve been sick off and on (mostly on) for this whole semester and it’s strange cause my immune system shouldn’t be that down.

Well, I guess that’s the news of the moment.