Look Mom, I'm on the internet!
posted by t. at 7:46 PM
4 comments
2.23.2006
2.14.2006
From 9/11 to 2/14
Today I took the long metro ride to the U.S. District Court in Alexandria. Why? To attend a hearing in the United States v. Zacarias Moussaoui case. I was all of 10 feet away from the only person indicted in the 9/11 attacks. And that's all I have to say about that.
The story from today is posted here:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/wireStory?id=1617057
The story from today is posted here:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/wireStory?id=1617057
posted by t. at 8:10 PM
1 comments
2.08.2006
things that make me realize i live in the nation's capital
So, today was another great day at ABC. I really feel like I've done well on several assignments, and now people at the bureau are starting to trust me to cover news. I was at the Capitol again today, where another guy and I covered a press conference on asbestos settlement legislation in the morning, and the Senate Rules Committee's hearing on lobbying reform in the afternoon (side note--on our way in, we had to stop and wait for King Abdullah's motorcade to enter the Capitol). The afternoon hearing was great... ABC took care of the pool video for the event (meaning we controlled all of the cameras, and shared with the other networks). One of the camera guys that was working the hearing also happens to be one of the first people I met on the job. He saw me and waved me up to a chair right next to him. I was pretty close to the action! Ben Nelson was to my immediate left, and Barak Obama was in front of me. The photographer is great, as he's always so helpful. I also had a front-row seat for the make-up photo op of "pen-pals" McCain and Obama (see story here...http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1595312
).
Besides the motorcade and the Senators all around, here's another reminder that I live in the U.S. capital:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1596287
This afternoon's hearing took place in the Russell building. I left the area around 5pm, and the alarm apparently went off 2 hours later. Crazy.
Besides the motorcade and the Senators all around, here's another reminder that I live in the U.S. capital:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1596287
This afternoon's hearing took place in the Russell building. I left the area around 5pm, and the alarm apparently went off 2 hours later. Crazy.
posted by t. at 10:20 PM
1 comments
2.05.2006
A long, convoluted post...
This week was loooong. Monday, I worked at Nightline. I stayed through most of the show, and worked with a girl that graduated from Georgetown with Nick. It was interesting putting the show together, but the executive producers didn't really want to let me do anything. One producer was great, though--he is from Omaha, and we've talked a couple of times since I've been there. He's done a lot of investigative work (my favorite!), and just started with Nightline--he worked on 20/20 and Primetime before.
The next day, of course, was the State of the Union address. I arrived at the Capitol at 9:30am, worked there all day, then went back to the bureau at night to help during the broadcast. The Capitol was busy that day, as so many senators and reps were willing to talk before the address. I didn't do any interviews, but I was part of the group of reporters around Trent Lott, John McCain, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Arlen Specter, etc. They are pretty approachable in that part of the Capitol, they just come out and talk to reporters. The Capitol was so full of reporters and TV crews that afternoon, as everyone set up for the broadcasts later that evening. Statuary Hall and the rotunda of the Russel Senate Office Buliding were covered with cords, cameras, and people. Elizabeth Vargas and George Stephanopoulos were at the Capitol earlier in the day, but I didn't get to meet them. Hopefully, I'll get to work with both of them before I leave. Also, Charlie Gibson was in town for the broadcast. I want to meet him, too, as Danny says he's the nicest guy he's met in TV. Nick also likes him because he was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Anyway, I digress. Back at the bureau that night, I was in the control room, following the speech script line by line so that the producers could do other things and I could catch them up to the right place in the speech. It was pretty cool to be in Washington for the State of the Union, but I would've liked to be at the Capitol for the address--don't know when I'll have that opportunity again :) Some of my fellow grad students got to cover the address from the Capitol. Lucky!
The rest of the week flew by. I put in 40+ hours in 4 days, so I was pretty happy to rest up and lay low the rest of the week while I was home. I did get to cover a press conference on the Gen Re criminal indictments handed down mid-week, and ABC's producer at the Department of Justice was great--he trusts me to cover news for him when he's busy. I sat in the back of a meeting room while reporters from all the networks interviewed Alberto Gonzales--agree with his decisions or not, he's really good under pressure, and never seems to lose his cool (see earlier post about his speech at Georgetown Law). He just ends up laughing everything off, and dancing around questions, so it's hard to be mean to him during an interview. It was really cool to compare the different interview styles the network reporters brought to the table (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN). After things calmed down, the producer gave a great tour of the DOJ, and tried to convince me to skip my seminars the next day to see Scooter Libby in court Friday morning. I went to the seminars, but told him to ask my boss to send me over during the juicy scandal trials :)
We had our Washington Program seminar on Friday, with 2 great speakers. One who works for Hearst papers (where we also met Journalism legend Helen Thomas!), and the other who is a Mizzou alum and a media lawyer at a great law firm in DC. I might like to have his job in a few years... Don't worry mom, I'll pay my student loans off before I go back to school!!!
Another highlight of the week--as a member of the National Press Club, I can go to Taco Night every Friday. Free tacos for members and guests, with a $3 drink minimum. Given that Corona is $1.91 a bottle, it's the perfect outing for a bunch of poor grad students!!! We also got into a little verbal throwdown with a recent Northwestern grad--you know, the whole who has the best J-school debate. I've talked to recent Syracuse and Columbia Master's grads, too, and hands down, Mizzou is the best program. Suckers.
One more thing--Cheney's motorcade passed by while I was waiting for the bus home. Motorcades are pretty cool, as the motorcycle cops weave through traffic and clear a path for the limos that speed by... then there's the SUV, windows down, full of military people carrying AK-47's ready to shoot on sight... that was a little scary.
OK, I'm going to wrap this up and go to bed! Another long week is in store... more updates later!
The next day, of course, was the State of the Union address. I arrived at the Capitol at 9:30am, worked there all day, then went back to the bureau at night to help during the broadcast. The Capitol was busy that day, as so many senators and reps were willing to talk before the address. I didn't do any interviews, but I was part of the group of reporters around Trent Lott, John McCain, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Arlen Specter, etc. They are pretty approachable in that part of the Capitol, they just come out and talk to reporters. The Capitol was so full of reporters and TV crews that afternoon, as everyone set up for the broadcasts later that evening. Statuary Hall and the rotunda of the Russel Senate Office Buliding were covered with cords, cameras, and people. Elizabeth Vargas and George Stephanopoulos were at the Capitol earlier in the day, but I didn't get to meet them. Hopefully, I'll get to work with both of them before I leave. Also, Charlie Gibson was in town for the broadcast. I want to meet him, too, as Danny says he's the nicest guy he's met in TV. Nick also likes him because he was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Anyway, I digress. Back at the bureau that night, I was in the control room, following the speech script line by line so that the producers could do other things and I could catch them up to the right place in the speech. It was pretty cool to be in Washington for the State of the Union, but I would've liked to be at the Capitol for the address--don't know when I'll have that opportunity again :) Some of my fellow grad students got to cover the address from the Capitol. Lucky!
The rest of the week flew by. I put in 40+ hours in 4 days, so I was pretty happy to rest up and lay low the rest of the week while I was home. I did get to cover a press conference on the Gen Re criminal indictments handed down mid-week, and ABC's producer at the Department of Justice was great--he trusts me to cover news for him when he's busy. I sat in the back of a meeting room while reporters from all the networks interviewed Alberto Gonzales--agree with his decisions or not, he's really good under pressure, and never seems to lose his cool (see earlier post about his speech at Georgetown Law). He just ends up laughing everything off, and dancing around questions, so it's hard to be mean to him during an interview. It was really cool to compare the different interview styles the network reporters brought to the table (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN). After things calmed down, the producer gave a great tour of the DOJ, and tried to convince me to skip my seminars the next day to see Scooter Libby in court Friday morning. I went to the seminars, but told him to ask my boss to send me over during the juicy scandal trials :)
We had our Washington Program seminar on Friday, with 2 great speakers. One who works for Hearst papers (where we also met Journalism legend Helen Thomas!), and the other who is a Mizzou alum and a media lawyer at a great law firm in DC. I might like to have his job in a few years... Don't worry mom, I'll pay my student loans off before I go back to school!!!
Another highlight of the week--as a member of the National Press Club, I can go to Taco Night every Friday. Free tacos for members and guests, with a $3 drink minimum. Given that Corona is $1.91 a bottle, it's the perfect outing for a bunch of poor grad students!!! We also got into a little verbal throwdown with a recent Northwestern grad--you know, the whole who has the best J-school debate. I've talked to recent Syracuse and Columbia Master's grads, too, and hands down, Mizzou is the best program. Suckers.
One more thing--Cheney's motorcade passed by while I was waiting for the bus home. Motorcades are pretty cool, as the motorcycle cops weave through traffic and clear a path for the limos that speed by... then there's the SUV, windows down, full of military people carrying AK-47's ready to shoot on sight... that was a little scary.
OK, I'm going to wrap this up and go to bed! Another long week is in store... more updates later!
posted by t. at 11:14 PM
2 comments
1.30.2006
Secrets and Surprises!
Nick came to visit me this weekend. The best thing about it was that it was a HUGE surprise. Nick and my whole family had me convinced that my brother Danny was coming to visit. So, at the airport, I was looking for Danny, and there was Nick instead. I cried (a lot), and it was one of two surprises that Nick's been able to keep from me--the other being the ring, of course! Anyway, here are some highlights from the weekend:
Nick's tour of Georgetown--he asked me not to visit campus until he could show me around.
Dahlgren Chapel
Healy Hall (front & back)
The steps from the movie The Exorcist, which I have yet to see.
Also, I didn't take my camera with us, but we did go to the Georgetown-Cincy game on Saturday (Win for the Hoyas, 76-57). Everyone's pretty excited about GT basketball right now, after last week's win over then-#1 Duke. Though I am a huge Duke/Coach K fan, I must say that I am happy the Hoyas are doing so well--I even cheered for them against Duke, much to the disappointment of my sister Mary Ann. Speaking of Mary Ann, this one's for you, from Nick:
Nick's tour of Georgetown--he asked me not to visit campus until he could show me around.
Dahlgren Chapel
Healy Hall (front & back)
The steps from the movie The Exorcist, which I have yet to see.
Also, I didn't take my camera with us, but we did go to the Georgetown-Cincy game on Saturday (Win for the Hoyas, 76-57). Everyone's pretty excited about GT basketball right now, after last week's win over then-#1 Duke. Though I am a huge Duke/Coach K fan, I must say that I am happy the Hoyas are doing so well--I even cheered for them against Duke, much to the disappointment of my sister Mary Ann. Speaking of Mary Ann, this one's for you, from Nick:
posted by t. at 12:25 AM
3 comments
1.29.2006
The great cost of telling the story.
Earlier today, a roadside explosive seriously wounded ABC cameraman Doug Vogt and co-anchor Bob Woodruff in Iraq. Hopefully the day will come soon that will allow people to travel, work, and just exist without threats of violence.
A note... My time at ABC's Washington Bureau is made possible by the David Kaplan Memorial Fellowship. Vogt "...was sitting next to ABC News producer David Kaplan when the producer was shot and killed in Bosnia." No doubt this experience is causing those close to Mr. Kaplan to relive painful memories.
Please keep everyone invovled in your thoughts and prayers.
posted by t. at 6:58 PM
0 comments
1.24.2006
catching up
I'm on week 3 in DC. This has been such a great time. From working at ABC to attending seminars through MU's Washington Program, this experience has been so eye-opening and everyday, I have new opportunities to learn. I met with Sam Donaldson again today. He is really intense, in a good way. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things Washington--I really like spending time with him. He always quizzes me, on everything from the Supreme Court to journalism ethics to presidents. He really challenges me to think quickly so I can respond to his rapid-fire questions.
...
I didn't have to work last Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I decided to walk around the National Mall and the Tidal Basin and visit the presidential monuments/memorials. And yes, I took my camera, because even though I get to see these things often, these posts would be boring without pictures : ). Any requests for future posts?
Some notes: I took a few pictures of the MLK area at the Lincoln Memorial, but you could't really see it. Also, the gov't is restoring Lincoln right now, so the statue is surrounded by scaffolding. Not very exciting.
...
I didn't have to work last Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day. I decided to walk around the National Mall and the Tidal Basin and visit the presidential monuments/memorials. And yes, I took my camera, because even though I get to see these things often, these posts would be boring without pictures : ). Any requests for future posts?
Some notes: I took a few pictures of the MLK area at the Lincoln Memorial, but you could't really see it. Also, the gov't is restoring Lincoln right now, so the statue is surrounded by scaffolding. Not very exciting.
posted by t. at 9:50 PM
2 comments
black hoods and attorney generals
One more thing today...
This story was on CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/24/nsa.strategy/index.html
I was with one of the producers from ABC that covered the story. It was interesting to see the protest, and to listen to Gonzales's speech. The panel of law professors after the speech was great--they broke down the issue and presented such differing views on the legality of Bush's wiretapping program. I'm a total nerd--I think constitutional law is soooo cool.
The other perk of this, of course, is that the speech was at Georgetown University Law Center, so I got to check out one of the buildings Nick will be spending A LOT of time in next year!
posted by t. at 9:29 PM
1 comments
