Comments on: Day Four: Making History

By: Gloria Hanson

Gloria Hanson — Sun, 18 May 2008 17:06:12 +0000

I’m so impressed with the level of discourse on this website. When people say that the younger generation isn’t plugged in, it may be that we are not giving them the opportunities necessary to feel involved, to feel that they could make a difference. Television and the internet, while making the world “smaller” in a way, also serves to distance us from what’s really going on. Congrats to Mt. Madonna for sponsoring this fabulous trip, and to the students, who are obviously making the most out of every minute. And thank you for sharing this with the rest of us (from a grandmother in Connecticut)!

By: Bob Caplan

Bob Caplan — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:21:23 +0000

I so appreciated the exchange between Brian Maloney and Ward Maillard. When I sift through the angst and fireworks and stones thrown, I am left with a sense that Mr. Maillard is encouraging exactly the kind of dialogue we need to disarm the partisan booby trap.

I continue to be inspired by the curiosity, openness and insight exhibited bythe students. Getting this experience through their eyes and ears has opened mine wider. I was particlarly moved by the way that Andrew Whitaker looked in the mirror and came up with a shift in perspective.

I look forward to more…

By: Ward Mailliard

Ward Mailliard — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:07:15 +0000

Dear Brian,
Thanks for showing us that you care deeply about the American political process. You are quite correct that so far we have interviewed leaders from mostly the Democratic leadership, although we had a very meaningful surprise interaction with Republican Congressman David Dreier of southern California in the Rules Committee two days ago. It is on the blog.
It would have been helpful on our part to post our entire schedule so you could see a fuller picture. One of my students asked me to encourage you to take another look at the banner on our site, which shows a picture of former Secretary of State under Ronald Reagan, George Shultz, one of our greatest living statesmen who the kids absolutely loved. Next week we will be meeting Congressman Adam Putnam who is in the Republican leadership of the House, and we will also be privileged to speak to Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte who is part of the conservative leadership of this nation. My intention is to expose the students to a variety of viewpoints to show them that good people can disagree.
My father was a Republican Congressman for over 20 years, so I am well acquainted with at least moderate Republican values, many of which I respect. Just to make full disclosure the students will also meet Congressman Ron Paul , a libertarian, and Congressman Dennis Kucinich. So we will have wide exposure to many points of view by the time we are done. To be honest, I am not really that interested in what party our interviewees are from. I am basically looking for people who are serving their community who I believe have something to teach. We see a wide variety of people both in and out of government.
My only caution to you, assuming that you are interested in truth and not just striking out at people who may not share your view, is to stay curious and ask questions before making final judgments about things. Things are not always as they might at first appear. Also I would suggest if you want to encourage students to see your point of view, they respond much better when they don’t feel attacked. Personally, I don’t mind your note and in the interest of civic discourse we will leave your post up, but how about it if you and I conduct the conversation in a way that will provide a good example for the students?
Respectfully yours,
Ward

By: Brian Maloney

Brian Maloney — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:38:17 +0000

Why did Mount Madonna students meet only with extreme-left Democrats?

Why no moderates or Republicans? Or anyone with a viewpoint beyond the left fringes?

The choices are bizarre: Jim McDermott? He’s the disgrace who took travel money from Saddam Hussein’s murderous regime and praised him in Baghdad.

This trip clearly wasn’t educational, it was about partisan indoctrination.

You called it “The Values in American Thought Tour”, but your “tour” represents only the tiny minority of people who subscribe to your fringe viewpoints.

Someday your students will realize you’ve cheated them, all in the name of your own partisan agenda.

By: Jennifer Frost

Jennifer Frost — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:50:42 +0000

Wow! I am in awe of your awe. What a fabulous experience you are having. Your words are an inspiration. And, the videos give us a whole new view-keep the camera rolling, Devin! I am so proud of all of you.

By: Diane Meade

Diane Meade — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:43:27 +0000

I was brought to tears. Maybe because I feel some wave of hope for us all now that there is a group of fabulously moral young adults in Washington right now that are also feeling hope and seeing that they CAN make a difference. Thank you all, for relaying with such skill the feelings of your days in Washington. I gotta go to work now but this was worth waking up at 4:45 for . Love to you all. Diane