And we're off!

 Today officially began our TWC RNC experience. Our 8:30-12pm session included a welcome from Augsburg College President Dr. Paul Pribbenow, a re-introduction of the seminar faculty leaders and a speech by the faculty director, Former OK Congressman Mickey Edwards and a "conversation" with Dr. Meena Bose and Congressman Edwards.

 President Pribbenow welcomed us by letting us know Augsburg is very glad to host us for the next week or so. He informed us that they have not only accepted us onto their campus but this evangelical arts college has also embraced politics! Using the theme "Get Political" with the slogan "Listen, Learn, Engage" to take advantage of their prime location for the convention the college has organized several events of their own. These events include hosting THE Democratic counter rally as well as TWC. He made a very important point for the reason why he felt they too should get political saying: "Politics is a birthright" essentially stressing the fact we are all born into a country which gives us the opportunity to decide for ourselves how we want to live and the rules we allow to be pressed upon us. I found his speech to be very philosophical and am happy to see the push for involvement coming from Augsburg!

The conversation with Dr. Bose and Congressman Edwards addressed some of the election questions on the minds of the TWC attendees. Something I found to be particularly interesting was when Senator Edwards discussed the forecasted aftermath of the election depending on the turnout.

If Obama wins: Some prominent Republican figures will attack the fact we chose to nominate a "liberal" Republican to run. They will then insist we switch back to a more traditional choice for 2012. Personally, I'm scared to see that happen. I feel the party is in severe need of change and that we need to evolve and I believe electing a liberal Republican is a step along the right path.

If McCain wins: The Democrats will seriously start re-thinking their strategy for 2012. They will re-think their entire message and methods for spreading it. Hillary will also be perfectly set up to become the 2012 nominee. There is a chance, if Obama looses by a narrow margin, that they will not only feel cheated but suspect foul play on the part of the Republicans. (either way you look at it, someone is going to feel cheated.)

 I was also happy to hear the Senator address the ongoing conflict in Congress over the energy bill the Republicans tried to push through the house prior to a recess. Just when the bill should have been put to a vote, Pelosi called a recess and the issue was not to be revisited until weeks later. The Republicans were insistent the vote should occur at that moment but all of the Democrats walked out. The Republicans, in an act of retaliation, stayed behind and began addressing random people who came into the room on a tour. This certainly reminds us of the often annoying games congress plays as opposed to passing meaningful and HELPFUL legislation. Congressman Edwards said he was surprised the Republicans acted this way since they had been on the other side of a similar issue in the past.

 After the morning session ended we broke for lunch and got a head start on our small group meeting/discussion. We tried out the Augsburg cafeteria and discussed the political climate in Ohio (who's running for Governor in 2010, who resigned this week etc.) We also discussed the issue of the McCain's apparently trying to bring their son home from Iraq to attend the convention. AND if he is able to come, will he wear his uniform? We debated the reasons why we thought he should and shouldn't be able to wear it. What do you think?

Once we finished lunch we went back to the classrooms for our official small group discussion session. Michael, Andy, a guy from Ohio, two girls from Pennsylvania and myself all comprise Group 9: Moretti's group. Dr. Anthony Moretti has an extensive background in the Media and teaches a politics and the media type course at Point Park University in Pittsburg. He is also keeping a professional blog which includes some of his experiences here (http://ajmbroadcasteducator.blogspot.com). Anthony is a very fun and energetic professor, which us ONU kids are very used to! I like that he approaches the political topics from the media angle and using that method since the relationship between politics and the media has always been something which has interested me.

 Once released from our group we attended a short ice cream social Augsburg college was nice enough to put on for us and went our separate ways to explore our temporary home. I ended up hooking up with my roommate and a few of the friends she made over the course of the day.

So I realize this post is getting very long but I need to tell you what happened to them at lunch today! Her and the other people I met this evening all had lunch together at a little place called "The Hard Times Cafe" in the "Cedar-Riverside" area of Minneapolis. While minding their business and enjoying the great food (looking conspicuous in professional clothing, flashing credentials) a group of let's just say rough looking men in the cafe decided to tell them they did not belong there. Natasha and her group were verbally assaulted and even threatened. One man said he would hit them with a bike lock if they ever came back. Needless to say that as they were telling me this story this evening we all received a text from TWC telling us not to go to that area, specifically the Hard Times Cafe.

 That is all I have for today....I type too much but you learned a lot about what is going on here eh?

Here are a couple pix! Ciao!

The Conversation

Anthony Moretti's Group

The Mall of America Indoor Theme Park

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