As my colleagues are winding up a successful and positive conference (with a rousing speech from Phil Goff) I am sitting in LA Airport on my way to start a US State Department organised (and funded) programme to study US Foreign Policy. This is a great opportunity to talk to decision makers, lobbyists, academics, businesses, unions and ordinary folk in different parts of the US about how they view the world and their place in it, and even where NZ fits in. The agenda is quite broad, so other hot button issues, like healthcare reform, will no doubt be discussed as well.
I understand that many of my meetings over the next few weeks will be ‘Chatham House’ rules but I will try to blog about the ideas and issues that I am discussing. On my programme are people from 20 other countries, so it will be good to get their perspective as well. Failing that you will get my views on the things I see in the good old US of A.
I am feeling a bit like Tom Hanks in that awful looking film about being trapped in a terminal at the moment, but soon enough I will be off to Washington DC to start the programme. In the meantime I am catching up on US news. The healthcare reform debate is still firing along, with the NY Times today reporting that former Republican Presidential candidate Bob Dole, who helped scuttle Bill Clinton’s healthcare plans, is swinging in behind the Obama effort. The general line here seems to be that Obama will get something useful through, but as ever the negotiations are intense.
For those in Wellington Central, my electorate office is still open for business while I am away, and I am still contactable, with other MPs ready at hand if needed. And I plan to be making a few comments about domestic issues, starting with this very soon. Righto, time to track down those chilli fries.
Grant, Enjoy the trip and take full advantage of Washington in the Autumn. Rock Creek Park should be spectacular, as well as the Appalachians if you get a day to go out of town.
The Hawk & Dove on Capital Hill (SE) is full of political history and makes a great burger too. The Old Ebbit’s Grill (not really old) still has classic American ‘pub’ food.
And visit the Library of Congress to see what a great national library is like.
Enjoy
Do a “Richard Worth”. Bunk the meetings in Washington and go sight-seeing. I hate the thought of more indoctrination from bureaucrats, it is not good for you Grant. Please hang out with some businesspeople. Pretty hard to find in Washington.
Perhaps I suggest a pictorial update if you can’t talk about the meetings.
And pace out how long it takes you to walk the Agriculture building while guessing how much money it takes to operate Washington as a city per second.
You shall be as turned on by it’s uselessness and lack of productive work ethic as I was turned off.
Hey Grant, since your conference is ostensibly to “study” US Foreign Policy, how about asking them how they justify staying in Afghanistan and killing thousands of innocent citizens of that country and of Pakistan when their top general has now pronounced that Al Qaeda is all but eliminated in Afghanistan.
And if you genuinely seek enlightenment about US Foreign Policy, ask for a meeting with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!
Or would all that spoil your junket
Kate: you will be thrilled to know that the next stop is Iowa, which by the looks of it is all business and farmers, followed by a happily chaotic mix of academics, business people and policy wonks in Boston. but here in the centre of govt it is not suprisingly mainly the public servants. Interesting but. Done my share of museums here over the years, but I did take a wander down to Dupont Circle not long after arrival and that was an anthropological study all of its own!
Luc: see my next post, but you will be pleased to know we are getting the full range of views.