Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Upcoming Events 12/9-12/12

JMU Washington Semester Reception
-Sponsored by JMU Politicos and the JMU Political Science Department
-At the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1300 on Capitol Hill
-5:30-7:30 on Friday, 12/9
-Please RSVP to POSC@jmu.edu or 540-568-6149

Caroling in the National Gallery of Art
-The Mandoleers perform seasonal music and lead the audience in familiar Christmas carols.
-At the National Gallery of Art (4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW)
-Cost: Free
-1:30 pm and 2:30 pm performances on Saturday, 12/10

Gingerbread Workshop
-At the National Building Museum (401 F St. NW)
-Cost: $65 per house. Registration required.
-10 a.m.-12 p.m., 2:00-4 p.m. on Saturday, 12/10

13th Annual Santa Stumble
-Dress like Santa and hit Georgetown nightspots during this bar crawl, which has become a D.C. holiday tradition.
-At The Third Edition (1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW)
-Cost: Free, but charitable donations accepted.
-4 p.m. on Saturday, 12/10

Heurich House Museum Candlelight Tours
-Celebrate the holidays at a Victorian house. Performances of traditional German Christmas music at 7pm and 8pm, German Christmas cookies and cider and a special appearance by Father Christmas.
-At the Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW)
-Cost: $15, children $5
-6:00-9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, 12/9-12/10

Jingle All the Way 8K
-Celebrate the season with a run through the streets of the nation's capital. Many run in costume.
-At Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13th and 14th streets)
-Cost: $30-$40
-9 a.m. on Sunday, 12/11

Friday, December 2, 2011

Lunch with Senator Warner, Representative Goodlatte and Representative Wolf!



On Wednesday, November 30, JMU faculty and alumni joined the Washington Semester students for a luncheon event entitled, “Crossing the Aisle in a Polarized Political Environment.” Guest speakers Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Bob Goodlatte gave us insight on what it’s like to work in congress at a time when so many Americans are frustrated with their politicians’ lack of effort to compromise and come to an agreement on the tough issues that face the country. Congressman Frank Wolf spoke about a congressional culture that has long since been lost, where those elected to congress used to move their families to live in Washington, D.C. He talked about the difficulties in trying to create policies with people you don’t know, that it was hard to trust other congressional members “when you don’t break bread together.”


All three agreed that American citizens need to tell their representatives that failing to work together and do their job to get the U.S. back on sound economic ground won’t be tolerated anymore. Senator Warner said we all need to do our part. Congress needs to do the job the American people sent them to Washington to do, and Americans need to actively engage in political participation in order to hold our government accountable. And what if congress doesn’t do its part? Senator Warner suggested citizens should “fire us all.” But that’s how the democratic process is supposed to work, right? Citizens should hold their representatives accountable, expecting political leaders to do exactly what they said they would at the time of their election.

This event was definitely a success and a rare opportunity to get the first-hand opinions of three congressmen who represent districts where many of the Washington Semester students reside. The students are thankful to Senator Mark Warner and Representatives Frank Wolf and Bob Goodlatte for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak with us. We are also thankful to the JMU Politicos alumni group, JMU Washington Semester program and JMU Department of Political Science for organizing this event!