Thoughts on a Sunday Morning

I wish the MSM and FOX would stop talking about the Bush Tax Cuts!!!  What Congress is talking about is keeping the tax levels at the current rate not cutting them.  If the Democrats manage to pass an extension of the current tax rates minus those making over $250,000 a year it should be called the Obama TAX INCREASE!!

Have been reading the articles about how Obama has lost his communication skills.  I would tend to disagree.  If you read his speeches they are very well written and most of the time his reading of them from his Teleprompter is adequate.  So what is the problem?  He has lost his ability to persuade.  I have always argued that the biggest power a president has his his ability to persuade and when he loses that he is in trouble. Along with the ability to persuade comes the projecting the fear of hurting in Congress.  Obama seems stuck in the days of massive approval ratings and doesn't yet seem to realize that his party and therefore him lost in November.  Obama is unable to persuade the folks.  He also can not "threaten" Congress except to campaign for them!!!  His problem is not that he has been unable to communication his proposals; it is that he has been unable to persuade people to follow his lead.  I think the biggest mistake he made was that people voted for change but change in the culture of Washington not for change in our system of government.  He confused the two and to add to the confused mix he thought his win in 2008 was a mandate.  It was a vote against Republican rule for the most part not a mandate for him and his desire to change the fundamental nature of our country. I hope the Republicans in the House do not fall into that trap.

Speaking of the Republicans, they seem to be getting off to a good start.  A lot of what they are doing is symbolic right now and they need to keep this up.  Boehner giving up the military jet was a great idea.  I still don't understand why anyone but Boehner and perhaps the minority leader needs a car and driver.  The rest of them should cab it or drive themselves or take the metro or have staff drive them.  And they also should go through security at the airport.  In fact I would recommend that all the Congressmen go through security at the airports and while in line talk to the people (without identifying themselves as congressmen) and really listen to the people who make this country work instead of the lobbyists and interest groups. 

I am glad that Thanksgiving is over.  My husband died a few days before Thanksgiving several years ago and as a result the holiday is rather bittersweet for me.  Christmas is a little better.

Am looking forward to going to Israel the first of the year.  It is one of those places I never thought I would get do.  One doesn't necessarily wake up one morning and say let's go.  I will be there during Orthodox Christmas so it should be festive.

Am still getting used to the new Weight Watchers point system.  I intellectually know I have more points and that most fruit and vegetables are zero points but a number of things I have eaten on the last points program now are much higher -- ie Vita top muffins went from 1 to 3 points.  Ugh.  We will see.

Sunday morning

What a wonderful day outside. I love this time of year.

Read all the coverage of the One Nation rally yesterday in Washington sponored by the unions, self described socialists/communists, liberals and others. Not as well attended as Beck's rally the end of August. The press was rather critical of it and showed a number of pictures of how the Mall was left when the rally was over. I was surprised at that. Conservatives tend to pick up after themselves, Liberals leave it for someone else to do. Rather indicative of their political philosophy, don't ya think?

Yesterday on the Mall after the rally:

After the Beck rally:

Guess that is what unions are for -- to clean up after liberal rallies!!

Just about 30 days until the November elections.  The American public has not been paying attention for years and to quote President Obama's pastor "the chickens have come home to roost!!"  I have talked with people all over the US and folks are scared.  They don't know what is going to happen with taxes, health care, energy, and a variety of other issues.  They woke up one morning and saw what was going on in Washington.  The massive increase in debt, the huge increase in federal employees, the increase in new agencies along with the new rules and regulations, the huge increase in IRS agents to make sure that everyone has health care, and the list goes on and on.  For the first time people in this country are afraid that their children will not have the opportunity to have the good life that they have had.  It doesn't really matter when and under whose administration it started, it is ending up under the Obama administration and he is reaping the blame.  As he should as he has had a big hand in growing government.

But it is not just at the federal level, everywhere one looks one sees how government has broken down yet it is costing us more and more each year.  Look at what is happening here in NC.  This week's scandal was the over payment of unemployment benefits by the state and the state's attempt to recover those over payments.  It amounts to somewhere in the neighborhood of $28 million (yes that is Million).  Now the state has decided not to recover this money which means the taxpayers are not in the hole for an addition $28M.  This is in addition to the SBI scandal and the state lab scandal and Perdue's lack of reporting of "free" flights during the campaign to rumors of fmr Governor Easly's indictment.

Then you get to the local level where the front page today has a long story on the number of teachers in the local school system who have been indicted for abusing school children.  It appears the school board's attorney did not report complaints to the police department in a timely manner which meant those teachers were in the classroom longer than they should be.  There were also several cases where the teacher was transferred and the new school was not informed of the complaints.

So there is a sense out there that something has to be done.  We have got to start paying attention at ALL levels of government.  The days of just ignoring things because the "don't impact us" has to be over.  We as a country can no longer afford to not pay attention.  It is time to make major changes in this country.

So if you aren't registered to vote, get registered.  And if you are, vote on election day.

At the state level keep in mind that the Democrats have been in total control of this state since 1898 with the exception of 4 years in the state House and two Republican governors.  When one party has total control and has in effect no opposition they tend to become correct.  Doesn't matter which party it is  - it just is.    So here in NC the Democrats need to be thrown out and the Republicans need to be given an opportunity.  It will be hard as they will have to deal with a $3 Billion deficit next year; some how they will have to close that gap in order to balance the budget next year (not including the latest $23M over compensation).

Mussings at the end of the week

For the second time in two weeks I have almost been hit by a biker on the WFU campus who was going the WRONG way on a one way street. Crossing from the parking lot to Carswell, it is one way right to left. The biker this week came tearing down the road from left to right. When I yelled out, you are going the wrong way on a one way street he yelled back yea I know. This is what drives me crazy about bikers, the belief that the law does not apply to them. It does. They have to obey all the laws of the road. I wonder if the WFU police would give them a ticket if they say it happening? So, from now on I will look both ways when crossing from the lot to the building.

Went to a 5th CD Executive Committee meeting yesterday held at Shatley Springs. The owner of Shatley Springs, Lee McMillian, is a big republican -- of course the entire area is a big republican area. Shatley Springs is a wonderful place to go about once a year. Before going one should fast for a day or so. It is a family style resturant which means they place bowls and platters of food at the table and if you are not with a group they sit you where there are seats (regardless of whether or not you know them). We had breakfast and placed on the table before us were platters of country ham, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, fried potatoes, baked apples, and the best biscuits one has ever eaten along with gravy. As the platters and bowls empty they are replaced. Great stuff but in no one's world low calorie.

It is always great to meet up with folks and friends from around the district. Of course this looks like a great year for Republicans.

The mountain's were beautiful and every time I drive up there I fall in love. Then I think about the winter time and the snow. Those mountain roads are curvy and narrow. I stopped on the way down to visit a friend who had just bought a place up there. He is down a very narrow road but once you get there and sit out back it is as if you were the only people on the mountain. The view was amazing. It was so quiet, all one could hear were the birds. The view was mountains and woods. I could imagine myself sitting on the deck and grading papers or reading a book. As the afternoon went on you could see the shadows moving across the hills, really beautiful.

It's Sunday and it is in the 70s and it is raining. All the windows are open and it smells so good. I love this time of year.

Lindsay and Paris

Do the judges in LA really think they are doing Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton a favor by letting them skate on their drug charges? The judge sentenced Lindsay to 90 days in jail and 90 days in rehab if my memory serves me right. She served 21 days in jail and about the same amount of time in rehab. They said she was cured and had been 'scared straight'. So how long did it take her to start using cocaine again? Two-three weeks? We all know her parents did not parent her but rather partied with her and lived (and still do) on her money. If something isn't done she is going to end up just like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, both huge talents who no one ever said NO to. The same can be said for Paris Hilton. Once again she made a deal to escape punishment. The only question is how long will be be until she is found with drugs again and will the judge this time really really put her in jail for a year. My money is soon and no he won't put her in jail for a year. Part of the problem we have in America today is that people are no longer held responsible for their actions. Bill Clinton could get away with lying under oath (for those in Rio Linda as Rush would say, that means putting your hand on a Bible and swearing to tell the truth) because it was only about sex. Newt Gingrich can get away with his cheating behavior. He cheats and lies and yet there are those who think he should be president because he is a deep thinker. Give me a break. Let him write his books which are best sellers and let him not run for president. Part of this mess comes from the fact we don't hold people accountable. It used to be that if you did something wrong you were embarrassed, now you get a reality show and make millions. Somewhere along the line we have lost our moral compasses. In a sense that is the outrage the "tea partiers" are expressing. We have all these folks that are supposed to be leaders yet look at their behavior. They all stand up there and pontificate as to what should be done while behind the scenes they are acting out "pols gone wild". Call it what you wish, ruling class, elitism, it is a feeling that they are right and we are wrong so just shut up and do what we tell you to do. Yet at the same time they are telling us what to do they are also saying the rules don't apply to us. You don't like the bad schools too bad suck it up and send our kids there but we will send ours to private school. Look at what Congress did in DC with the school voucher program -- since the teachers unions did not like it, one of the first things the new Democrat congress did was to stop it. Where do top leaders send their children to school? Not DC public schools I can assure you.

How did I get from Lindsay to DC public schools? Seems to me they are both part of the problem -- lack of personal responsibility.

Whiners and Losers

If one really needs an explanation of why people are so mad these days one only needs to take a look at all the politicians who have been defeated in a primary who have chosen then to run as either an dependent or to conduct a write in campaign. It used to be that losers were sulk and lick their wounds for a few days but almost always say they would support the nominee. They might only say so but not do anything to help them get elected or they might actively support the individual who defeated them. But this year we have seen a number of politicians who have been defeated in primaries or believe they will be defeated who have changed parties or become independent or are conducting a write in campaign. Their attitude is that the people made a mistake, I am the better person and I should be in office. No the voters said no. No you should not be in office. Elections have consequences. If you don't organize and get your voters out then it is your fault. The arrogance we see in our politicians go a long way in explaining the tea party movement and the anger that is out there today.

Turn signals and othe irratants of life in Winston Salem

One of the things that just drives me crazy here in Winston Salem is the lack of use by the citizens of turn signals. Don't you people here realize the purpose of the turn signal is to let others know what you are planning on doing. If I know which way you are going, they I might not run into you. I don't understand why that is such a hard concept for some people. One is be courteous by doing this and one is protecting themselves. ERRRRRG pay attentions folks and use your turn signals.

My other pet peeve here is that the notion of merge does not exist. When you are driving down a ramp onto a road you are supposed to give way to traffic on that road not the other way around. People come flying down ramps and instead of merging they just act as if there is no one else on the road and they drive into the line. ERRRRG again folks pay attention -- when you come down a ramp you are supposed to give way not me.

Don't you just love how the local rag sheet, the Winston Salem Journal, is going to provide us with a special service, a better weekly TV guide, one that is much more informative than the one we have been getting for years and years. Aren't they great, and oh by the way it is going to cost you $33.75 a year. Thanks for nothing. I do believe that this is final straw, when my subscription comes up for renewal and I am going to drop it. And I hate doing it. I am from the generation that loves to sit and read the paper over a cup of coffee in the mornings. I really like the feel of the paper in my hands. It isn't just the same on the internet -- I find I don't read as much or as closely as I do with a paper. But the newspapers are making it impossible to read them these days.

Bursa Inik - Istanbul

Started the day out in Bursa where we ended the day yesterday. We went had lunch in a beautiful place -- the Botanic Garden Iskender Restaurant. Saw my first dervish; good looking chap as the Brits would say. He was totally smitten with my new friend Ilene who is tall, black and beautiful. He followed her all over the place. The Botanic Gardens were wonderful. We sat outside under a grape arbor at a long table covered with a white cloth and sliver utensils. Food was excellent. We then went to the Silk Market and helped the Turkish economy. Scarfs are incredible. Each store had their own designs and colors they specialized in. After that we went to see a shadow theater presentation. Interesting but we did not understand what they were saying. However, it was well done -- hand puppets on sticks -- amazing talent. While we did not understand what they were saying, they did explain the story to us so we could follow it somewhat.

This morning we left for Iznik or Nicaea We visited the Iznik Foundation for a presentation on Iszik tiles -- the people that run the foundation have reinstated the ancient art of tile making and are using the old methods and materials. Very interesting and the tiles are amazing. They had laid out on the table a set of tiles they were doing for a mosque in Mexico that was being restored. We then had lunch in their gardens -- again under a grape arbor with a long table and white cloth. All around us was the heady smell of roses. The garden was full of them. Iznik is by the Marmara Sea and is full of flowers and roses. We stopped by the former cathedral where the Council of Nicaea was held. It is in pretty poor condition but you could still see the murals. The Ottomans took the place over and turned it into a mosque.

More later. Off to dinner

Another day in Turkey

I finally got my camera back but had no internet last nigt in the 5 star hotel in Galilopi. So maybe I'll get some pictures up later tonight. We toured the Galilopi battlefield and cemetery yesterday and visited the museums. The entire peninsula is stunning. You can see the straights and see why the British and the Germans (and a lot of other folks) wanted to control this access point – including Jason and the Gold Fleece. We saw the wooden Trojan Horse used in the movie Troy. You only need to spend a short time here to realize how close everything is and why this area has been fought over for thousands of years. We are currently close to the border with Bulgaria (or Bulgaristan on most Turkish maps) and Greece. Amazing how close they are. No wonder they fought over this territory. We have visited numerous mosques and I am amazed at how beautiful they are. We saw one yesterday that used to be an orthodox church (many centuries ago) – the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. You could see the old church in the bones of the mosque. In fact this mosque is one of the only ones that has the name of both Ali and Mohammed written on the walls. It represents the non-religious nature of Turkey (almost in a sense a non-partisan view of religion). Earlier in the day we went to an old healing center which used music therapy – one of the professors at a local university who plays one of the old instrument met us there and played several sample music pieces for us – including as he said, one for the urinal!!!!

Fascinating listening to it and we all felt refreshed when we left.

Guess I did not finish up Wednesday – after touring around Istanbul, going to the Grand Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia Museum, we ended the day by going to the Turkish Institute of Cooking and we cooked a wonderful Turkish meal – 5 courses. Food was wonderful. So when we have our international dinner I will be able to help out our Turkish fellow!!!

Before I end today I want to mention my colleagues on this trip. I was a little nervous about meeting them and spending 10 days traveling around Turkey with people I don't know. I am not really someone who travels with a group; much prefer one other person or alone But I have to say that these past days have been great and I have really enjoyed getting to know these folks. There are four college presidents – presidents of small colleges -- and several deans. In addition there are several others that are heads of programs. I have met and made several new friendships. They are a varied group, black, white, native American, men, women. We have all gotten along and it is fascinating to watch everyone maneuvering within the group.

Second Full Day in Istanbul

Why is it that people come to a meeting totally unprepared?  We met today at two Universities and had presentations from 3.  At the first one (we had to leave the hotel at 8am) they had a very formal set up.  Reminded me of the meetings the old Soviet Union used to have.  Flowers on the tables, mikes, coffee/tea/water at each place and a plate of cookies.  The woman who made the presentation was nervous, she read from the slides which had way too many words on them, and kept sighing.  It was horrible. And this was from a University that focuses on technology. We then got on the bus and went to the Turkish Cultural Foundation where we met with representatives from three universities.  One was very prepared and very professional.  The other two did not have cards nor did they have materials and all they did was read from their slides.  Poor poor presentations. We then when to the spice market.  What a hoot that place was.  We  basically rebelled and told the folks running the trip no more, we need to shop and we need to walk and we need down time. So we went to the.  After that we took a boat to the Asian side of Istanbul.  Much more residential.  I liked it better.  We went to a local artist that specializes in marble art. After watching her we all took a turn at creating our own marble art.  We then took the boat back to the European side and had dinner at another University.  This one was done right.  No power points just a few remarks of welcome, good wine, good food, good company.  We all were moaning about how tired we were and were dragging into the place.  But moods quickly changed when we were taken to the top floor of one of the buildings to the faculty club for dinner.  Once up there we discovered it overlooked the Bosporus and we watched the sun set over the Bosporus.  Absolutely stunning.  No wonder they call it the Golden Horn!!!  The President of the University came and sat next to us and we discovered he spends his spare time (?) writing mystery novels and have had two published that are best sellers.  He is working on a third.  Unfortunately they are only in Turkish.
We had a wonderful evening. 

FIrst impressions

Often times first impressions can be right and other times wrong.  My first impression of the Swiss was not a favorable one; I had a lay over in Zurich and the people I had contact with there were rude and unfriendly and very anti-American.  The Turks on the other hand have been wonderful.  It sure was great getting off the plane in Istanbul have having someone meet me and drive me to the hotel.  Unfortunately, I got in too late to go to a traditional Turkish bath.  I understand from those who did go it was wonderful. We meet at 6pm attend a dinner cruise on the Bosporus.   This was the first opportunity I had to meet my fellow travelers and they are a great group of folks. There were additional guests on the cruise, including the President of Koc University and his wife.  The cruise was superb and cruising on the Bosporus was an adventure.  I am gong to enjoy the next week.  The good news is that we are not due to leave until 10am tomorrow morning.  One quote from the night's discussion:  America is a one sentence country we never get to the second sentence.


It is day 2 now and I am exhausted.  Even thought we did not leave until 10am we did not get back until 10:45pm  We first went to the Topkapi Palace and spent several hours touring it.  We then had lunch at a restaurant on the Palace grounds.  After that we went to the Blue Mosque.  All in all we walked over 5 miles and the legs feel it.  We then stopped by the Hippodrome.  We were supposed to go back to the hotel and clean up before we went to dinner but we were running late so went directly to Koc University.  The family who has funded the University is connected with Ford and Apple so they have a large foundation of money to spend.  It is a relatively new University but very impressive. They had the dinner set up around the swimming pool and it was delicious.  It was a typical Turkish meal with lots of wine and Ratki.  They also had traditional music and dance.

Istanbul is a city of 15 million and believe me they are all out on the street at all hours of the day.  Traffic is horrendous.  I was going to post pictures but I left my camera at the university.  They are going to try to get it back for me.  I sure hope so as there are many pictures on it from this trip and from last week.

More later.  Tomorrow we leave at 8:15am

First impressions

First impressions are always important and I have to say my first impression of people in Zurich was not favorable.  Every one I came into contact with was unfriendly and very anti-American.  But my first impression of Istanbul is completely different.  Everyone I have run into has been friendly and helpful.  Different cultures different reactions.  The trip over was uneventful.  I broke down and upgraded my ticket to premium economy, which used to be the regular economy before they downsized the seats and the leg room. It was worth it as I was exhausted from last week's seminar and the extra leg room allowed me to stretch out.  Of course the fact that the seat in the middle was empty helped.  Flew United and it wasn't a bad airline.  I was met at the airport by a representative of the Turkish Cultural Foundation and they brought me to the Hyatt Hotel -- It is quite a place. My additional first impressions of Istanbul is that it is crowded and full of live.  Traffic was almost bumper to bumper all the way in from the airport.  We are on a river cruise tonight.  But first I am going to take a nap and then have a shower.

RNC Women's Summit

What a week it has been. Drove up to Danville to my friend Martha's parent's home Tuesday night where I spent the night. Martha and I left Danville at 7am so that we could get to Leesburg by noon to attend a First Ladies Luncheon. The first ladies were were the wife of the current gov and Lt. gov and Susan Allen the wife a George who was only a U.S. Senator but also a gov. of Virginia. It was a lovely affair and it was nice to meet a large number of women who are active in Va politics. We then drove to our hotel in Alexandra where we met up with to other women. Nancy has started the Conservative Women Forum which is a wonderful on-line web site. And Cathy is running for a NC house seat. We went into DC for a reception at the Capitol Hill Club sponsored by Cong. John Boehner. Saw old friends and met new ones. It sure was nice being in a room full of conservative women. We had dinner at the Club with some ladies from the new North Mecklenburg club. Great meeting them and spending time with them.

Thursday was wonderful. There were more "take aways" from this summit than the one last year. The workshops held in the afternoon were excellent. Enjoyed listening and learning from Gentry Collins, Todd Hermann and of course the dynamic threesome of former spouses.

Cathy, Nancy, Martha and I went to dinner that night at a small neighborhood restaurant in Alexandria, ate too much but it was so good. But we made up for it by walking for 3 miles after dinner. Friday drove back to Winston.

Be able to spend a day with women around the US comparing notes and attitudes was wonderful. The concerns I have about the direction of this nation was shared by others. We discussed the problems we are faced with and how we are going to solve them. We also talked about what we were going to do to change the course this country is on. We all agreed that there are a large number of good candidates out there who have a good chance to win this Nov. It is just going to take a lot of hard work. We also all are becoming very irate about every time we criticize the President we are called racists. In addition, the fact that the Gov. of Az signed a bill into law that calls for the enforcement of US law is not a reason to call people that support her racists. It is a simple law that does not call for profiling. Just for enforcement of the law. Why is it that someone who comes to this country illegally breaking US law is considered a victim and people who oppose illegal immigration is called a racist?

Spent the rest of Friday and early Sat. morning packing again and doing laundry for the trip to DC. I am spending a week in DC at the Washington Center's seminar on national security and terrorism. Should be great. Then next Sat. I get on a flight to Turkey for 10 days.

I am going to try to spend time each evening discussing the days events. This should be a very interesting and educational week.

End of the Semester

It's the end of the semester, finals are finished, and grades turned in. I am always sad the end of the spring semester as there are a number of students that are graduating and won't be back in the fall. I am happy for them and thrilled at their future, but none the less I will miss them. Moved my office yesterday and today from the 3rd floor to the 4th. I will get plenty of aerobic exercise going up and down those stairs. Jessica, my trainer, really worked me today, which is a good thing. Am busy working on BFTF and trying to get ready for my three adventures coming up this month. The first starts Wednesday when several of us travel to Leesburg, Va, to attend a luncheon for the "first lady" of Virginia. Then on to our hotel in Alexandra for, hopefully, a short nap before we go into to the Capitol Hill Club for a reception hosted by Cong. John Boehner. Then we will be at the J.W. Marriott all of Thursday at an RNC Women's summit. Last years was wonderful -- 300 women from every state in the US and wonderful speakers. This year should be even better. Then Friday back to Winston overnight to pick up my bags for my trip back to DC. I will be a faculty leader in the Washington Center's Seminar on Terrorism. The line up of speakers is amazing and so are the site visits. I am really excited about this seminar. I have been in contact with most of the students in my small group and they are a varied bunch. More men than women but that would be expected given the topic. Once that seminar is finished on the 21st I have to get grades in as I leave from Dulles on the 22nd to go to Turkey for 10 days. This also will be an amazing trip. I return on the 1st of June in time to really put my nose to the grindstone to prepare for the BFTF Fellows who arrive July 3rd. I plan on blogging my experiences in DC and Turkey. And perhaps add some pictures.

Beth Hutchens

One of the finest ladies I know is retiring from the Department of Communications at Wake Forest University -- Beth Hutchens. As many of you know, her husband was a Winston Salem Policeman who was killed in the line of duty last Fall. It has been tough on Beth and her two daughters and she feels she has to devote time the the Foundation she set up in Mickey's name. So we are losing her. Melissa Painter is putting together a book of letters for Beth from friends, former and current students. Melissa writes:
__________

Melissa Painter March 29 at 4:19pm Reply
Beth Hutchens is retiring as the administrative coordinator from the Department of Communication at Wake Forest University. I'm sure many of you remember Beth and how she helped you squeeze into a class or gave you a recommedation on a professor. For some, she became a good friend. I'd like to put together a book of letters to share with Beth to let her know how much she has meant to students over the years. I need your help to do it. You can write a quick paragraph about the first time you met Beth, how she helped you as a student, share a funny story-- anything you'd like. You may e-mail the letter to me or mail it to me at
HP-8
High Point, NC
27261
I need these notes by next week, April 5.
Thanks for your help. It will mean a lot to Beth!
Best,
Melissa Painter
WFU Class of 2000
melissa.painter@wghp.com

_____

Please if you know Beth or have been touched by Beth please send a message to Melissa. I also ask that you send it out to anyone else you might know of who would like to contribute a letter. We are trying to keep this a secret from Beth.

Thank you.

Back from Oklahoma City

Just returned from the NFRW BOD meeting which was held in Oklahoma City this time instead of in Washington DC. The new Executive Committee was installed and you could feel the energy and passion in the room. I was appointed to be Co-Chair of the Public Relations Committee and we are busy working on three major projects: getting all the 1600+ NFRW clubs in the nation wired one way or another by the Fall meeting in Charleston. A template has been developed which allows all clubs without a website to fill out an information form, send it to us and it will be posted on the www.republicanwomensclub.com website. Anyone that then goggles republican women club will go to this site and be able to find a club close to them. This website will function as a type of "yellow pages". Second we are working on a green grocery tote bag to be sold as a way to raise money for a pr campaign. And lastly, we are working on a video which will discuss why we are proud to be an American.

I listened to all the standing committee and their proposed projects for the next two years and if only half of what was proposed gets done it will have been an awesome two years.

It is always great to reconnect with women across the U.S. that share my values and thoughts. Many of them I have gotten to know over the years and have so much respect for. Others I have just met and immediately became a friend to. Thee were 28 new state presidents at this meeting. Young energetic young women who have a passion to "take our country" back and to move it forward.

In addition to the women, we had great speakers. J.C. Watts is one of my all time favorites and he did not disappoint. Angela Sailor, Coalitions Director for the RNC was extremely informative and I enjoyed getting to know her. She is someone that will remain a friend for years. She talked about how the RNC, under Michael Steele, has become much more pro-active instead of reactive. Good stuff. I attended the workshop put on my Vince Harris on new Social Media and learned alot, some of which I incorporated in the seminar/workshop Lisa Roper and I did the next day on pr.

Except for the traveling which gets worse all the time, It was a great 4 days. I look forward to working with these wonderful, smart, intelligent, energetic, passionate women over the next several years.