Politics 101

Well, with the help of my friend Jioni, and his friends who work on the hill, I managed to get into seee the Senate discussions when they were filibustering (which was kind of dull because the whole point is to make the discussion last as long as possible) and then the next day I got to see the House debate and vote on federal funding for Stem Cell Research.. which was absolutley fascinating!! Also got a tour of the house from Alison, one of the staffers of Peter King, who's a congressman from Long Island.

The political debate was fascinating because there was some bipartisanship on the issue. Everyone was very polite - a huge change from the "mangy mongrel" comments we're used to. Everyone was "gentleman" or "gentlewoman". I was really lucky to see a role call vote too - where everyone has to come to the chamber to vote...

Also saw the air and space museum, the American history museum (where I saw Kermit the frog, oscar the grouch, fonzie's jacket). But the really interesting thing was the exhibit on school segregation and the fights to overcome it - Brown versus the school board (I think it's actually something a little different, but I don't have the brochure here)

It made me wonder about my Dad's school, because I know he went to school with Diana Ross, and yet the dates he would have been going to school were right around the time of the segregation debates.. Mind you he was in the north, so Detroit may not have had segregated schools, and he also lived in downtown Detroit.. Dad when you read this, make a comment and let me know, yeah?

Also caught up with my cousin Michael, his wife Carmen and his sister Tammy, who I'd never met before. They were all very nice, and we made our own pizzas and drunk Australian wine.

Michael also lent me a cell phone to replace the one I bought so I could take it back and get my money back, but it's a Sony Erikkson and so it's really frustrating to work out how to use it.. I'll see how I go.. So, yes - I have a cell phone for anyone wanting to call the number is +1 202 341 7796

I'll have it in the states and after that will probably just be on email.

Also went on a tour of National Public Radio today (some of their programs are broadcast on 2SER) - so all in all a very pc, environmentally sound DC experience ;^)

I may go to NY early, but we'll see. I'm going to catch up with a very old friend, Natasha, and her husband Dan, and their 2 kids on the weekend, so that should be great..

Once I get to my brother's, I'll work out how to post some pictures..