I can't believe it's already time for the conventions...
Let me introduce myself: I graduated from Miami in May of 2007 with a Major in Creative Writing and a Minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies. I was President of Miami Students for Israel and competed in Model Arab League. I spent the summer before my senior year at Miami in Dubai, U.A.E. at the American University as a William Jefferson Clinton Scholar. I have been incredibly lucky to have travelled twice to the Middle East (the first time to Israel as a Bronfman Fellow, the second to Dubai) because it has given me a broad perspective on the effects of American foreign policy domestically and internationally. After being in a place ruled by a royal family (no freedom of speech), I came back to the States with an entirely new gratitude that I lived in a democracy... something I had previously taken for granted. So, as the conventions crept closer, I couldn't resist the opportunity to be a part of this incredibly important and historic election! And what better media outlet to write for then your college newspaper?
After I graduated, I moved to Washington, D.C. and took a job with an international non-profit which focuses on working with the Media on Middle East issues. My organization is non-partisan and as a credentialed member of the Press for the Miami Student, I am writing from a non-partisan perspective. I do not rate nor endorse any party or candidate. I will post daily about my impressions of the political processes taking place in Denver and St. Paul as well as issues affecting young people and what it really means to be a delegate, a super delegate... a super duper delegate (okay, those don't really exist)...
*Please note that I (The Miami Student) was denied credentials by the Republican National Convention due to the"overwhelming interest in covering our convention." There's always the live stream of the convention on their website... However, I will still be traveling to St. Paul and will continue to blog as one of the thousands of people who will show up without credentials, simply to be a part of this imperative event.
In case YOU are interested in watching the live stream or for more convention information, the official websites for each convention are:
http://www.demconvention.com/
http://www.gopconvention2008.com/
Why should YOU even care about this election? (a few things off the top of my head)
-The Iraq War, Afghanistan, Georgia and Russia, Darfur, Lebanon...
-Gas Prices
-Alternative Energy and Offshore Drilling
-The Housing Market
-Social Issues (abuse, women's health, family planning, abortion, gay marriage, school prayer)
-Paying for Higher Education, Scholarships, Federal Funds
-The Fall of the Dollar
-Homeland Security, Terrorism
-The possibility of a Nuclear Iran/ arms race
-The Israeli-Palestinian peace process
-China and India as an economic threat?
The list is endless and overwhelming and it is my hope that my involvement at the conventions will further my/our understanding of this truly amazing system. I am thrilled to be just a small part of our incredible democratic process.
So... I'm off to Denver and the next time you'll hear from me will be my first convention post on 8/25/08. Here are Monday's headlines http://www.demconvention.com/schedule/:
Monday, August 25 – One Nation
Barack Obama’s story is an American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility like those faced by Americans everyday. The opening night of the Convention will highlight Barack’s life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country.
Monday’s headline prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama.
Other Monday night speakers include:Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri; Barack Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng and Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s older brother; Jerry Kellman, mentor and long-time friend of Barack Obama; Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.; former Indiana Representative Lee Hamilton; Tom Balanoff, President of Illinois SEIU; Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten; Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; State Comptroller Dan Hynes; Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis; Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle; and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
*Monday night will also feature a tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
-Sarah Marcus 07'
Let me introduce myself: I graduated from Miami in May of 2007 with a Major in Creative Writing and a Minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies. I was President of Miami Students for Israel and competed in Model Arab League. I spent the summer before my senior year at Miami in Dubai, U.A.E. at the American University as a William Jefferson Clinton Scholar. I have been incredibly lucky to have travelled twice to the Middle East (the first time to Israel as a Bronfman Fellow, the second to Dubai) because it has given me a broad perspective on the effects of American foreign policy domestically and internationally. After being in a place ruled by a royal family (no freedom of speech), I came back to the States with an entirely new gratitude that I lived in a democracy... something I had previously taken for granted. So, as the conventions crept closer, I couldn't resist the opportunity to be a part of this incredibly important and historic election! And what better media outlet to write for then your college newspaper?
After I graduated, I moved to Washington, D.C. and took a job with an international non-profit which focuses on working with the Media on Middle East issues. My organization is non-partisan and as a credentialed member of the Press for the Miami Student, I am writing from a non-partisan perspective. I do not rate nor endorse any party or candidate. I will post daily about my impressions of the political processes taking place in Denver and St. Paul as well as issues affecting young people and what it really means to be a delegate, a super delegate... a super duper delegate (okay, those don't really exist)...
*Please note that I (The Miami Student) was denied credentials by the Republican National Convention due to the"overwhelming interest in covering our convention." There's always the live stream of the convention on their website... However, I will still be traveling to St. Paul and will continue to blog as one of the thousands of people who will show up without credentials, simply to be a part of this imperative event.
In case YOU are interested in watching the live stream or for more convention information, the official websites for each convention are:
http://www.demconvention.com/
http://www.gopconvention2008.com/
Why should YOU even care about this election? (a few things off the top of my head)
-The Iraq War, Afghanistan, Georgia and Russia, Darfur, Lebanon...
-Gas Prices
-Alternative Energy and Offshore Drilling
-The Housing Market
-Social Issues (abuse, women's health, family planning, abortion, gay marriage, school prayer)
-Paying for Higher Education, Scholarships, Federal Funds
-The Fall of the Dollar
-Homeland Security, Terrorism
-The possibility of a Nuclear Iran/ arms race
-The Israeli-Palestinian peace process
-China and India as an economic threat?
The list is endless and overwhelming and it is my hope that my involvement at the conventions will further my/our understanding of this truly amazing system. I am thrilled to be just a small part of our incredible democratic process.
So... I'm off to Denver and the next time you'll hear from me will be my first convention post on 8/25/08. Here are Monday's headlines http://www.demconvention.com/schedule/:
Monday, August 25 – One Nation
Barack Obama’s story is an American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility like those faced by Americans everyday. The opening night of the Convention will highlight Barack’s life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country.
Monday’s headline prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama.
Other Monday night speakers include:Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri; Barack Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng and Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s older brother; Jerry Kellman, mentor and long-time friend of Barack Obama; Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.; former Indiana Representative Lee Hamilton; Tom Balanoff, President of Illinois SEIU; Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten; Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; State Comptroller Dan Hynes; Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis; Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle; and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
*Monday night will also feature a tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
-Sarah Marcus 07'
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