government jobs: 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A Future with the Foreign Service? A Student Perspective

A Future with the Foreign Service?
Morgan Forrey is currently a graduate student at Seattle University for Student Development Administration. She is interning this Fall with Career Services in the Jackson School of International Studies.

Spring Semester of my senior year I was just back from four months in Norway studying a Scandinavian approach to democracy and development. I was a Public Relations major with a new charge to pursue all careers international. Where to go from here? Graduation loomed and life became a bit overwhelming. There were so many possibilities. I found myself asking which direction to choose and what steps would make the most sense. I battled my diverse array of interests as I investigated the possibility of the Peace Corps, teaching English, and the Foreign Service Exam. But I had trouble following through on any of these. I felt too tied down to one line of work and one life style. I chose a path through PR and surprisingly I am now pursuing a Masters in Education, but life abroad and the Foreign Service still sits at the back of my mind. I often wonder…did I miss my chance?

In November the Jackson School and the Evans School co-sponsored a panel with three accomplished Foreign Service officers to talk about their choices and experiences. Ambassador Darryl Johnson described his time as the Ambassador to the Philippines and Thailand and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Ruth Kurzbauer spoke of the breadth of positions she held from Cultural Affairs to her role as Vice Consul in Toronto, Canada. Finally, Philip Wall spoke of his educational path through the Jackson School to eventually work in Economics track for the Foreign Service. Their stories illustrated three distinctive paths to success within international government work. Not all their choices were traditional and yet their meaningful service to the international community still included the Foreign Service. It was clear that the possibility of Federal service abroad was not completely lost! Uniquely, I enjoyed hearing of Ms. Kurzbauer’s journey from musician to public servant. I realized my time as an educator could be as impactful to a career in the Foreign Service as Ms. Kurzbauer’s knowledge of the arts has been. The Foreign Service, after all, sends our most qualified representatives of American culture and society abroad.

As I am approaching yet another graduation date, I find some of those old uncertainties and fears about the next steps after school returning. The insights of our three guests have reminded me that I do not need to have the rest of my life figured out in order to make a difference in international affairs. In fact, I learned that applications for the Foreign Service are accepted for individuals between the ages of 20 and 59. I have 30 more years to consider my place as a public servant. Perhaps I am still unsure about what to do next, and perhaps my next steps will not be direct paths to the Foreign Service. What is important is that I am intentional about the work I choose to do, that I remember my interest and need to affect change through global initiatives. A career in the Foreign Service may still be around the corner!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

GDAE Podcast - Episode 24

US Senate Reform: Filibuster

People's History: Voice of Sojourner Truth & thoughts on Deep Social Change...
Media Criticism: Washington Post disconnect with public desires for real healthcare reform via Fair and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR).
Echo of American Exceptionalism: Congressman Alan Grayson and Chris Mathews via the WakeUp AM Podcast.
Prosecution of Bush: Jane Mayer's Book "The Dark Side".
Musical diversion: Jimi Hedrix "Little Wing".
Filibuster: Healthcare legislation is exposing US Senate as a barrier to majority-rule democracy.
Poetry: Night Before Christmas Debacle.
Bloopers.

Play Episode 24 from this page:

Monday, December 28, 2009

Where We Are Today

Russian prince Peter Kropotkin said that

Courage, devotion, the spirit of sacrifice, are as contagious as cowardice, submission, and panic.

This statement was made in his essay entitled "The Spirit of Revolt," which first appeared in Le Rèvoltè in Geneva in 1880. The following excerpt reads as if he were commenting on current events. The notes inserted in the text point to such contemporary examples listed at the end of this blog post.

The Spirit of Revolt

There are periods in the life of human society when revolution becomes an imperative necessity, when it proclaims itself as inevitable. New ideas germinate everywhere, seeking to force their way into the light, to find an application in life[1]; everywhere they are opposed by the inertia of those whose interest it is to maintain the old order[2]; they suffocate in the stifling atmosphere of prejudice and traditions [3]. The accepted ideas of the constitution of the State[4], of the laws of social equilibrium[5], of the political [6] and economic [7] interrelations of citizens, can hold out no longer against the implacable criticism which is daily undermining them whenever occasion arises,--in drawing room as in cabaret, in the writings of philosophers as in daily conversation. Political, economic, and social institutions are crumbling; the social structure, having become uninhabitable, is hindering, even preventing the development of the seeds which are being propagated within its damaged walls and being brought forth around them. [7]

The need for a new life becomes apparent. The code of established morality, that which governs the greater number of people in their daily life, no longer seems sufficient. What formerly seemed just is now felt to be a crying injustice. The morality of yesterday is today recognized as revolting immorality [8]. Daily, the popular conscience rises up against the scandals which breed amidst the privileged and the leisured [9], against the crimes committed in the name of the law of the stronger [10], or in order to maintain these privileges. Those who long for the triumph of justice, those who would put new ideas into practice, are soon forced to recognize that the realization of their generous, humanitarian and regenerating ideas cannot take place in a society thus constituted; they perceive the necessity of a revolutionary whirlwind which will sweep away all this rottenness, revive sluggish hearts with its breath, and bring to mankind that spirit of devotion, self-denial, and heroism, without which society sinks through degradation and vileness into complete disintegration.

In periods of frenzied haste toward wealth, of feverish speculation and of crisis, of the sudden downfall of great industries and the ephemeral expansion of other branches of production, of scandalous fortunes amassed in a few years and dissipated as quickly, it becomes evident that the economic institutions which control production and exchange are far from giving to society the prosperity which they are supposed to guarantee; they produce precisely the opposite result. Instead of order they bring forth chaos; instead of prosperity, poverty and insecurity; instead of reconciled interests, war; a perpetual war of the exploiter against the worker, of exploiters and of workers among themselves. Human society is seen to be splitting more and more into two hostile camps, and at the same time to be subdividing into thousands of small groups waging merciless war against each other. Weary of these wars, weary of the miseries which they cause, society rushes to seek a new organization; it clamors loudly for a complete remodeling of the system of property ownership, of production, of exchange and all economic relations which spring from it.

The machinery of government, entrusted with the maintenance of the existing order, continues to function, but at every turn of its deteriorated gears it slips and stops. Its working becomes more and more difficult, and the dissatisfaction caused by its defects grows continuously. Every day gives rise to a new demand. "Reform this," "reform that," is heard from all sides. "War, finance, taxes, courts. police, everything must be remodeled, reorganized, established on a new basis," say the reformers. And vet all know that it is impossible to make things over, to remodel anything at all because everything is interrelated; everything would have to be remade at once; and how can society be remodeled when it is divided into two openly hostile camps? To satisfy the discontented would be only to create new malcontents.

Incapable of undertaking reforms, since this would mean paving the way for revolution, and at the same time too impotent to be frankly reactionary, the governing bodies apply themselves to halfmeasures which can satisfy nobody, and only cause new dissatisfaction. The mediocrities who, in such transition periods, undertake to steer the ship of State, think of but one thing: to enrich then.selves against the coming débâcle. Attacked from all sides they defend themselves awkwardly, they evade, they commit blunder upon blunder, and they soon succeed in cutting the last rope of salvation; they drown the prestige of the government in ridicule, caused by their own incapacity.

Such periods demand revolution. It becomes a social necessity; the situation itself is revolutionary.

Notes:

1) People's access to inexpensive text, audio and visual production technology has allowed germinating ideas to be documented and shared rapidly worldwide. Experiments in alternative business economic models are being tested by necessity in countries, like Argentina, where the corporate globalization model failed catastrophically.

2) The "old order," harbored by corporate shields, is reflected by today's corporate mass media, a model that is itself failing to provide meaningful investigative reporting. News content generators and distribution owners have consolidated and continue to promote a failed world view of corporate-dominated economics. Since 1980, the number of major media content companies has gone from about fifty to about five. Radio ownership has consolidated radically since passage of the 1996 Telecom Act, from a maximum of 40 radio stations per owner to about 1,200 owned at it's peak by the right wing Clear Channel. For many people, TV and mass media represent reality. Now, that reality is in the hands of a few corporations that seek to maintain the status quo. However, the status quo is being challenged by a rapidly growing media reform movement, and alternative sources of information, that are free to explore real solutions because they are not constrained by commercial bondage.

3) The acceptance of corporate globalization as an "immutable, natural economic system" is the most egregious example of a prejudiced traditon. The corporate mass media repeats, "Government: Wasteful, Bad. Big Business: Efficient, Good," until the inherent socially damaging flaws of the corporate capitalist economic system are no longer examined, let alone questioned. Other "traditions," like excessive checks on popular sentiments by the US Senate, stifle solutions to a growing number of real crises.

4) More people are questioning the U.S. Constitution, recognizing it was created by a wealthy elite minority, with provisions for maintaining their economic dominance (Federalist No. 10 is transparent on this topic). The US Senate's service as a barrier to popular progress is one example. Historical elements of the Constitution prove that it isn't as exceptional as we are schooled to believe; the Constitution originally limited voting to land-owning males, did not recognize Native Americans and women, and legalized slavery. Other elements of the Constitution, created to protect the property of the elite minority, are being being questioned particularly as relates to the growing power of corporations.

5) Concerns about historically extreme wealth desparity are so great that they are being voiced in the mainstream media, by Senators on primetime TV, USA Today, MSNBC and stories of Wall Street Christmas bonuses that are so unseemly that corporate leaders send e-mails to caution staff against flaunting their bonuses in public. Social disequilibrium has become so out of balance, and the governing system so incompetent, that prospects for a gradual re-balancing are fading. The potential for rapid, chaotic social restructuring in increasing.

6) As noted in (5) above, political institutions, having become polarized and beholden to corporate interests, seem incapable of solving problems of the day. Rather than providing a real solution, the so-called healthcare reform process is poised to force citizens to give their money to private insurance corporations thereby boosting the profits, read political and economic power, of this disdained industry.

7) Saved only by accounting slight-of-hand, the American financial system is bankrupt both literally and morally. Given the off-shoring of jobs, the aging populace and the off-shoring of corporate profits to shield them from tax responsibilities, the United States itself is incapable of raising sufficient revenues to cover its ballooning debts.

8) For example, people are now taking notice of outrageous bonuses being paid out in financial services corporations. More people are realizing that highly paid media celebrities are part of the establishment and thus incapable of rendering an unbiased critique of the status quo of which they are a part.

9) Scandals of the privileged and the leisured have faces like that of disgraced South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, Wall Street titan Bernard Madoff, hypocritical Senator John Ensign, very connected Jack Abramoff, Paris Hilton, and even the vaunted Tiger Woods to scratch the surface.

10) The war of aggression by the US in Iraq, US use of torture and US backing of blatant war crimes by Israel have made a mockery of principles of civilized behavior of nations. These kinds of grotesque actions, combined with the dismissal of global institutions, like the United Nations, designed to provide a moral compass, provide proof that the law of the jungle is the new normal.

Sources:

a. "Backlash grows against free tradeæ, Mark Trumbull, The Christian Science Monitor February 16, 2007.

b. "The Future is Now," William Greider, The Nation June 8, 2006.

c. Paris Hilton's Tax Relief, Ellen Goodman, June 15, 2006.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Establishment Tool: Filibuster

'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the House, people were thinking "the Senate is a barrier to democracy!"

I'm not going to try to rhyme here in saying that the US Senate was set up by our dear founding fathers as a barrier between the unwashed masses and the wealthy establishment elite (AKA our founding fathers).

Yes, as the US Constitution was written in 1789, US Senators were elected by state legislatures, not by the unwashed masses (AKA The People). Then in 1913 the 17th Amendment was ratified to replace the phrase "chosen by the Legislature thereof" with "elected by the people thereof." My grandmother was alive when this little bit of democracy was gained by the unwashed masses.

Today it is becoming painfully apparent that the Senate rule allowing for a minority filibuster now functions as a requirement for a 60-vote super-majority on all legislation. This state of affairs, in a Senate captured by corporate power, is undemocratic and threatens to undermine popular support for Congress. This, in turn, undermines democracy.

It's true that we need checks on excessive power, or "tyranny," of the majority; however, today nearly unsurmountable power, or "tyranny," is being wielded by a corporate-sponsored minority. The situation is a corruption of American ideals and demands attention.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Night Before Christmas Debacle

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Senate
Evidence was mounting of democracy's limit.

The People dismayed by what they were seeing
Sixty votes it takes to do just about anything.

The Constitution took care to protect the minority
A wealthy elite exploiting the majority.

Obama a prisoner of establishment power
Claims "victory" with words that surely taste sour.

As the healthcare battle appears to be done
the people are told, "Go to sleep now, you've won!"

The dejected masses comply and act tame
While Obama unabashedly calls out some names

Now Geithner, Now Orszag, Emanual, and Baucus
On DePearle, On Lieberman, Nelson and Sebelius

A man with a smile audaciously says, "hope"
surrounded by insiders who think I'm a dope.

"We stood up to special interests," he says as he winks
But his words are cheap, this deal really stinks.

The man with a smile says "The struggle is on"
More people look askance as they detect a con.

And when the dust settles the people will see
No healthcare reform from the powers that be.

Though believers continue to heap on their praise
Their numbers dwindle with the passing of days.

The media, corporate owned, just plays along
while the people say, "something's terribly wrong."

The Empire teeters, the establishment takes fright
But with happy faces say, 'To all a good night."

Sources:

GDAEman

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Obama's Healthcare Shadow

Remember the old Mad Magazine piece showing a series of cartoon frames in which people are doing one thing, but their shadow is doing something socially unacceptable that they really want to do? Like the example below:

I can't remove the image of Obama, with Rahm Emanuel standing there, saying

By standing up to the special interests who have prevented reform for decades and who are furiously lobbying against it now, the Senate has moved us closer to reform that makes a tremendous difference for families, for seniors, for businesses and for the country as a whole.

Meanwhile Obama's and Emanuel's shadows are high-fiving the health industry executives on sealing the deal. 30 million people forced to buy corporate health insurance, some subsidized by tax payer money, thereby strengthening the corporate power of an industry that is already controlling our governing system. WTF?

Monday, December 14, 2009

Kyoto & the Articles of Confederation

A forgotten bit of United States history provides an analogy to what could happen to the Keyoto Protocols in Copenhagen.

The United States had a constitution before the U.S. Constitution. It was called the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, or simply the Articles of Confederation. Article 13 stated that only the Congress of the states could amend the Articles of Confederation.

However, rather than amend the Articles, a series of conferences and conventions were held, which resulted in the Articles being discarded and replaced by the U.S. Constitution. A similar thing appears to be happening to the Kyoto Protocols to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Powerful nations are trying to discard the Kyoto treaty and replace it with something else more favorable to corporate interests.

It's instructive to reflect back on what motivated the dismantling of the Articles of Confederation. Following a meeting in Mount Vernon to address navigation issues between Maryland and Virginia, the conveners recommended a convention of all the States for the following purpose:

"to take into consideration the trade and commerce" of the Confederation. [1]

Ah, yes. Commercial interests at work again. According to political scientist David Hendrickson:

When the war ended in 1783, certain special interests had incentives to create a new "merchant state," much like the British state people had rebelled against. In particular, holders of war scrip and land speculators wanted a central government to pay off scrip at face value and to legalize western land holdings with disputed claims. Also, manufacturers wanted a high tariff as a barrier to foreign goods, but competition among states made this impossible without a central government.[2]

So, out with the Articles of Confederation and in with the U.S. Constitution and a central government. The same interests seem to be at work centuries later trying to say out with Kyoto and in with a corporate-directed approach to global climate change. This establishment approach must be challenged.

Sources:

1. C. Tansill (ed.), Documents Illustrative of the Formation of the Union of the American States, H. Doc. No. 358, 69th Congress, 1st sess. (1927)

2. Hendrickson, David C., Peace Pact: The Lost World of the American Founding. (2003)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Obama's Exceptional View of America in Afghanistan

In his Afghanistan war escalation speech, President Obama drew on American Exceptionalism to claim US intentions are pure in Afghanistan. It's as if the US dirty wars in Central America, in support of United Fruit and other corporate interests, never happened.

AMY GOODMAN: President Obama also praised the United States as a country that has not sought world domination or occupation.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: More than any other nation, the United States of America has underwritten global security for over six decades, a time that for all its problems has seen walls come down and markets opened, and billions lifted from poverty, unparalleled scientific progress in advancing frontiers of human liberty. For unlike the great powers of old, we have not sought world domination. Our union was founded in resistance to oppression. We do not seek to occupy other nations. We will not claim another nation’s resources or target other peoples because their faith or ethnicity is different from ours. What we have fought for, what we continue to fight for, is a better future for our children and grandchildren and we believe that their lives will be better if other people’s children and grandchildren can live in freedom and access opportunity.

AMY GOODMAN: Professor Bacevich, your book is called “The Limits of Power, The End of American Exceptionalism”, responding to... President Obama’s last point about why we are in Afghanistan.

ANDREW BACEVICH*: ... This is the preferred narrative of American history, the way we prefer to see ourselves and, therefore, the narrative that we use to justify all that we do in the world. It is really telling and extraordinary that this president, whose background is quite different from all those other presidents... and who came to office promising to bring about change, it is extraordinary that he himself would embrace that narrative so uncritically. I think that is indicative of the extent to which whether there is going to be any change in Washington, it is simply going to be changes on the margins and that the Washington consensus, the status quo, is firmly in place.

*Andrew Bacevich is a retired colonel and a Vietnam war veteran who spent twenty-three years in the US Army. Bacevich is a professor of history and international relations at Boston University and the author of “The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism.”

Source:

DemocracyNow! December 2, 2009.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Department of State Summer Clerical Program-- now taking applications!

Summer Clerical Program

Visit http://careers.state.gov/students/programs.html#SCP for details

How to apply

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Summer Clerical Program. Please click here, or on the Gateway to State button above, to start the online application process. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is January 4, 2010.
Get acquainted with the challenges and opportunities at the U.S. Department of State through our Summer Clerical Program. Why do we offer this program? The reasons are twofold. First, it allows us to get you interested in a career with us. It also helps us to relieve staffing shortage when our employees are away on summer vacation. It's a win-win situation for everyone. We get the summer staffing we need. You get work experience and earn money to help with continuing your education. There's also something else that comes along with the job: the feeling of satisfaction when you know you're doing something really worthwhile for your nation.
Office support duties include but are not limited to: answering telephones and other receptionist-related duties; filing and maintaining office files; typing and/or using a computer terminal to perform various office functions including initial entry of drafted materials using a variety of computer software packages; reviewing outgoing correspondence for correct format, grammar, punctuation and typographical errors; and photocopying and assembling reports and briefings for distribution.
It's our policy to provide an open, systematic and equitable assignment process that assures that positions are filled with the best-qualified individuals. New-hire applicants for the Summer Clerical Program are appointed on a competitive basis according to Office of Personnel Management guidelines. Selections are based on job-related criteria in line with merit principles.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for a Summer Clerical position, you must be:

a U.S. citizen, age 16 or older at time of appointment
be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.,) seeking student
taking at least half-time academic/vocational/or technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school
able to complete a background investigation to determine eligibility for a security clearance

Positions at the GS-1, GS-2, GS-3 & GS-4 levels also have varying minimum requirements for school and/or work experience.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Hope for the Establishment?

Well, the World Bank is a dirty word in some circles. But I've recently had some experiences that suggest the Global Justice Movement might have influenced The Bank.

Perhaps, the cynic would say, the following statistic is just the Bank engaging in self-promotion the justify their own existence.

According to the World Bank, 75-80 of the effects of climate change are being felt in the developing world. So, you have this inverse relationship between cause and effect.

But another take is that the Bank is, 1) acknowledging the existence of climate change, something the Palinistas won't do, and 2) providing evidence for a legal challenge with reparations as the remedy.

By chance I discussed the changes at the World Bank with someone who is #2 for a particular geographic region. In response to a question about changes at the Bank over the past decade, he said that the Bank has deeply changed it's perspective on two things. First, the Bank recognizes the use of "structural adjustments" as a condition of loans was bad policy, in part because it was coercive. Thus, nations would do what was necessary to secure the loans, but were not really committed to the changes.

Second, and related to the first, was to take a more holistic view of the loans, recognizing distribution issues and social issues. In other words, recognizing that the results of the loans need to affect a broader spectrum of people in the recipient country, with particular attention on impacts of the poorest people.

The purpose here isn't to praise the World Bank as much as it is to point to the success of the Global Justice Movement in helping raise the consciousness of an institution like the World Bank.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Financial Elite in a Sea of Poverty

Back in 1975, when oil wealth in the Middle East was accumulating, the Kuwait fund for Economic Development pledged $16 billion to developing countries. According to National Geographic,

The fund's director general, Abdlatif Al-Hamad, 39, explained the philosophy behind such generosity: "We cannot close our doors and say to hell with everyone else. Nothing is clearer than the danger of having an island of prosperity in a sea of poverty."

We've all heard that about the 1% of Americans who own 38% of the wealth. The bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation's wealth. These are 2001 statistics and the disparity has grown since then.

Sounds like an island of prosperity in a sea of poverty.

Where is Abdlatif Al-Hamad today?

Source:

National Geographic, "Arabs," October, 1975.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Bogus Wall Street Profits Attract Investors

Trust your instincts on your reaction to the following:

Wall Street Headed for Record Profits in 2009

New government figures show Wall Street is on pace to have its most profitable year to date. On Tuesday, the New York Comptroller Office said Wall Street profits are set to exceed the record set three years ago, before the onset of the nation’s financial meltdown. The four largest firms—Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase—took in $22.5 billion in profits through September. The top six banks set aside $112 billion for salaries and bonuses over the same period. In a statement, New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said, “The national economy is slowly improving, but Wall Street has recovered much faster than anyone had envisioned.” [1]

My take on this is that the Obama administration knows the following and hopes you don't:

1. These too-big-to-fail financial institutions are insolvent, probably even despite the trillions in tax-payer bailouts.

2.The establishment, including the Obama administration, cannot expose this insolvency because they are trying to attract private capital (investors) to overcome the insolvency.

3. Investors need to see the too-big-to-fail financial institutions as "good investments," therefore these institutions need to be seen making profits.

4. The "profits" of these financial institutions are founded on complex accounting gimmicks.

5. This is all being done for one basic reason: To avoid the social chaos that would follow if the bottom were allowed to drop out of these financial institutions, which would lead to loss of power among many in the establishment.

Source:

1. Democracty Now Headlines, November 18, 2009.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Let Down by Obama? Steps you can Take

So the Obama afterglow is fading and the word "establishment" is starting to look like both major parties? No need to hyperventilate; you're not alone. There is support among like minded people.

One of those like minded people has taken the time to consolidate some advice for doing something about it. I don't agree with it all*, but you can be the decider.

Check out the recent post: "What to Do If You Are Disatisfied with Obama and Bush" at the Godless Liberal Homo blog.

Aside:

* One of the "action items" is to "Stay a Registered Democrat." This can be argued both ways.

An alternative perspective is to "Register Green." In doing so, you cast a vote that will be recorded for all to see in the County Election Board tables of registered voters, including Democratic Party operatives.

As the numbers in the Green Party column grow, the Democrats will realize that they are actually to the right of a growing group of people... this will help pull the Dems back to the left. True, you give up your primary vote, so be sure to convince at least one friend who would NOT have voted in the primary to do so... now you've offset the minor benefit of remaining registered Dem and you still have your number reflected in the County Election Board's tally of registered voters for all to see. Simple.

Final Note: Is it only me, or when you first glance at the photo in the upper right, doesn't it look like "Change Label"?

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Is Obama a Prisoner?

Context:

There is an elite within the establishment that are so influential, they often seem to call the shots. In Central American countries, like El Salvador, this oligarchy is more blatant than in the US and has been called "the 14 Families."

Blaze Bonpane, a former Jesuit priest, recounts an observation from his experience in Central America:

I’ve seen presidents who were prisoners in Guatemala, that were elected and then immediately told by the military, “You will do what we say, or you’re out of here.”

It was in this context that the question is raised with Obama, as recounted by Bonpane.

When Obama went to the meeting with the thirty-two countries, [in] Trinidad, Tobago, the parting shot from the ALBA nations was, quote, “Are you a prisoner?”

I think [the question] came directly from Hugo Chavez—“Are you a prisoner?”

If not a prisoner of the establishment elite, perhaps he's a prisoner of an economic system that is careening out of control, precariously close to collapse.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Obama's Agriculture Trade Rep = More of Same

President Obama’s nominee for the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the office of the US Trade Representative, Islam Siddiqui is currently a vice president at CropLife America. CropLife is a major trade association for the pesticide industry, the members of which include Syngenta, Monsanto, Dow Chemical. He was previously a lobbyist for CropLife. [1]

We can expect Siddiqui to promote a corporate, establishment policy. This policy will consolidate wealth among a small number of ever larger companies that are able to navigate complex transnational trade policies. He will promote policies that undermines diversity in crops, leading to mono-culture crops that are at risk of catastrophic failure. We can predict the crash, but but the establishment stands to make huge profits in the short run, and thus don't care about the future crash.... does this ring a bell?

Obama believes in "compromise." Obama selected Tom Vilsack as head of USDA, who pretty much represents the establishment view of industrial farming. Then, as Deputy Agriculture Secretary Obama picks Kathleen Merrigan who supports organic farming.[1] So, Obama believes, if you put one foot in boiling water, and the other in ice water, on average, you're comfortable!

Sources:

DemocracyNow!,"Obama Nominates Pesticide Executive to Be Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the US Trade Representative," November 17, 2009.

Poster Credit: Drew Heles. See Results of FTAA Art Constest.

Friday, November 13, 2009

What About Your Major?

Are you an undergraduate or grad student, super interested or kinda-sorta interested in federal work, but just not sure how your academics "fit" with the vast amount of federal agencies / opportunities?

If so, you are not alone.

Check out this list, which provides a convenient glimpse into connections between federal job titles and college majors. Also, curious about federal hiring trends? Click here and learn more about hiring trends related to location, occupations, agencies. Click here to explore how your interests fit with federal opportunities.

Continue [or start!] attending government jobs events, explore web links featured on this blog, and when you find federal internships and jobs that interest you, GO FOR IT. Let advisers in your department know how they can support you.. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try my best to point you in the right direction. Cheers! Patrick Chidsey, The Career Center: chidsey [at] uw.edu

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Clinton Link to Italian Cleric Rendition Conviction

As all should already know:

In a landmark case, twenty-three Americans, mostly CIA operatives, have been convicted in Italy for kidnapping a Muslim cleric from the streets of Milan in 2003.... The case marks the first time any American has been convicted for taking part in a so-called “extraordinary rendition.” [1]

The 2003 operation has been described in terms of the "Keystone Cops," ridiculed as inept and corrupted by by excesses:

CIA people had stayed, in five-star hotels, eating expensive meals with vintage wines, rented luxury automobiles—all at taxpayers’ expense. [1]

It's true that this particular operation was conducted on the watch of George W. Bush, and it might be tempting to for liberals to point out this conviction as another strike against Bush administration excesses. Sure, there's some truth in that; however, the reality is that this behavior is indicative of an establishment orientation that goes beyond Bush:

The case marks the first time any American has been convicted for taking part in a so-called “extraordinary rendition,” a practice the CIA has used, dating back to the Clinton administration, to kidnap wanted individuals anywhere in the world. [1]

Sources:

1. DemocracyNow!, "Italian Prosecutor in Case Against CIA Operatives Hails Convictions for ’03 Kidnapping of Egyptian Cleric," November 6, 2009.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Federal Agency Attorney's Perspective

I'm going to speak from my own experience, which is that of an attorney who didn't really know about federal job opportunities until I was almost through with law school. I think some of the plusses and minuses of federal work (on the whole, there are far more plusses in my experience) might hold true for members of other professions: for example, engineers.

Oftentimes one gets to a certain stage of career development where the worry of "can I get a job at all?" is accompanied, or replaced, by "can I get a job that has any meaning to me?" As an attorney joining the Bar, I knew I would be able to find a job, but I worried that I wouldn't get one that would enable me to both a) make the kind of contribution I wanted to make to society, and b) enable me to have work-life balance (this is a code phrase that law students use for "not wanting to spend the best years of their life chained to a desk every weekend doing document review, in the name of maximizing billable hours.")

Enter the federal government! Working for the Social Security Administration, I was allowed to handle complex cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals, and other courts, at a very early stage of my career. By attorneys' standards, I have a great deal of schedule flexibility. And, without getting too corny about it, I go home every day happy about who my client is (to wit, the American public) and the fact that I've put my skills to work on that client's behalf.

The major negative is simply this: one is working on a government pay scale. At the upper end, this is not comparable to the upper end of compensation available to attorneys in private practice. So you are not going to become wealthy working for the federal government, or anywhere in the public sector, as should be obvious to everyone. However, if you're considering federal employment in the first place, that's probably not your first concern; and even then, it is not as though you are living on a poverty wage by any means in these positions.

I've enjoyed my government career tremendously and would be happy to recommend it to anyone.

David J. Burdett

Assistant Regional Counsel

Office of the General Counsel, Social Security Administration

Region X, Seattle

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Internships in Washington, D.C. - Upcoming Deadlines and Oct 29 Info Sessions at UW

Are you interested in doing an internship in Washington, D.C.?

If yes, please join us for information meetings about The Washington Center Internship Program on Thursday, October 29, at the following times:

1130-1220pm in Gowen Hall, Room 1A
230-320pm in Denny Hall, Room 206
330-420pm in Sieg Hall, Room 224

The Washington Center (TWC) runs a full-time internship program in Washington, D.C., that is open to all UW students and provides comprehensive service, including internship placement and housing. Placements include government agencies, corporations, nonprofits and international organizations. Hundreds of UW students have participated in this program since UW's affiliation in 1977, and many have made connections that led to post-degree employment.

At the informational meetings, a Washington Center representative will be on campus to discuss the program, scholarships and the application process.

For 2010 the program cost is $5455 and the housing cost is $3,540. In addition, students pay UW registration, transportation, and personal expenses. Students may use financial aid for this program, UW tuition is charged at a reduced rate, and students may apply for scholarships.

Upcoming application deadlines are:

Spring Quarter 2010, Regular: 1/15/10
Summer Quarter 2010, Competitive*: 2/1/10, Regular: 3/12/10
Autumn Quarter 2010, Early**: 1/22/10, Competitive*: 5/3/10, Regular: 6/18/10

Spring Quarter 2011, Early**: 5/24/10, Competitive*: 9/27/10, Regular: 1/14/11

* Deadline for scholarship eligibility (Regular deadline for WA State scholarship)

** See http://www.twc.edu/students/earlydeadlines.shtml for the list of
organizations that require applications by the early deadline

Note that some established internship programs, such as the Congressional Black Caucus, may require earlier application submissions than the deadlines noted above.

Regardless of your major, there is an internship position for you. If you would like to know more, please come to an information session or contact UW's liaison, Meera Roy, at meroy@uw.edu for an appointment. Information about the program is also available online at www.twc.edu

U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship program at The Washington Center in D.C. - Nov 13 Deadline

The University of Washington is one of three U.S. programs to participate in The Washington Center's U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship Program for students who have strong interests in issues of bilateral trade, business practices in the United States and China, and cross-cultural collaboration.

This Washington, D.C., program brings together 20 students, 10 from the United States and 10 from China, to

* work in internships in governmental, international, business and nonprofit organizations in their areas of interest
* take a class that focuses on both cross-cultural awareness and U.S.-China trade issues, and
* participate in other events such as a speaker series and simulated negotiations.

It is a competitive scholarship program sponsored by Boeing (students are named Boeing Fellows) that covers TWC fees, housing fees, airfare, and provides a monthly stipend. Participating students register at UW and receive 15 credits of Pol S 498.

Juniors and seniors who have an average GPA of at least 3.0 may apply. The application deadline is November 13, the program begins on January 21, and it ends on May 7. Although this schedule coincides with two UW quarters, students have successfully participated in the past.

For the application form and program details, including a listing of
possible placement sites, go to http://www.twc.edu/students/uschina.shtml.

If you have questions about the program or would like to apply, please contact Meera Roy, a UW adviser and the liaison for The Washington Center, at meroy@u.washington.edu or 206-543-9456 for an appointment. You are also encouraged to attend one of the information session about TWC on Thursday, October 29:

1130-1220pm in Gowen Hall, Room 1A
230-320pm in Denny Hall, Room 206
330-420pm in Sieg Hall, Room 224

This is a fantastic opportunity to do an internship program in D.C. with almost all expenses paid. If you are interested in issues of trade with China, please consider applying.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Politicization of the Economy

What does it mean? It could mean the situation that prevails today; corporate power runs Washington, which in turn sets the economic environment in which the corporations flourish, and so on.

A different interpretation could be called democratizing the economy. The people have a say in what happens to the money that is created by banks.

Nobody raises this possibility, rejecting it outright. There is bi-partisan agreement against democratizing the economy. It's erroneously dismissed as "socialism," rather than being called "democracy" as it should be.

Friday, October 16, 2009

From Seattle to DC and Back (Part 10)

Continuing my internship with the U.S. Department of Commerce I interned at the Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center. My internship was from the middle of June until the end of August at the Belltown office.

During the internship I assisted the trade specialists in client file management, research projects and export development programs organized by the trade specialists. Research included trade leads and organizational contacts for companies interested in exporting building and construction materials and services to Africa. For possible Export Achievement Award recipients, I made a client list for each trade specialist for future reference. For a logistics trade delegation from Singapore I research relevant trade and port statistics for Washington state as well as researching various company and trade association contacts for a networking event with this delegation.

Continuing from my internship at the Trade Information Center in Washington, DC the Seattle Export Assistance Center was an entirely different experience. Rather than focusing on country and regional economic data and forecast projects, I became involved in research for local businesses on specific commodity exporting. As intended this internship gave me a much better perception of international trade in Washington State. While doing this internship I was also taking classes at the University of Washington, this experience enhance my time management and multitasking abilities while at the same time I was able to relate my course studies and internship as they reinforced each other by both focusing on international issues.

This internship has reinforced my determination to seek a career in public service as it has exposed me to how Federal Service can work on the local level.

Nathan Gardner
Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)
U.S. Department of Commerce

Monday, October 12, 2009

Federal Employee Q&A

As part of the government jobs campaign, one of our goals is to showcase a variety of options, roles, units and professionals within the federal government.

We shall highlight UW alumni who currently work for federal agencies, and also profile students who have interned with federal agencies. Below is a question & answer with one of my friends, Roger. If you have any questions or comments, send me [Patrick] an email ... chidsey [at] uw.edu. Cheers!

********************

What is your current job title, agency name, job location [city] and brief description of what you do and what you like about your work?

I am an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), working for the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington (located in Seattle). We are one of 93 different districts throughout the United States who work under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice. I work in the criminal division and am responsible for investigating and prosecuting those people who commit federal crimes. These offenses can include identity theft, child pornography, drug trafficking, major white-collar fraud, and other interstate crimes. I love the process of investigating major criminal enterprises, trying to determine the truth, and seeking justice for victims. I am fortunate to be able to appear in court often, present cases to juries and ensure that people are fairly held accountable for behavior that hurts the people of the United States. Seeking justice everyday is often an exhausting and difficult task, but one that brings enormous joy and satisfaction.

Where did you get a Bachelors degree & what did you study? Did you go to graduate/professional school, and if so, what did you study & where?

I received my Bachelor’s degree at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. I studied International Affairs (a combination of political science and languages – Russian and Spanish). I attended the University of Washington School of Law where I completed my juris doctorate.

Have you worked for another federal agency or city/county/state agency?

Prior to working for the US Attorney, I worked for 13 years as a county prosecutor, responsible for supervising other deputy prosecutors and prosecuting cases primarily in the sex crimes and domestic violence units.

Advice for students or career changers in conducting a federal job search?

Be honest with yourself about what interests you. Do not seek jobs based on the amount of money you think you will make or the amount of work you will have to do. Seek jobs that thrill you, that make you ache to go to work every day. If you truly enjoy your work, you will do it well. Once you are doing something well, all the financial and other rewards will come your way.

Additional comments about the benefits and/or realities of federal employment?

Those of us in the US Attorney’s Office work hard. Any fantasies about government employees having cushy jobs are quickly put to rest in this office. We hire committed public servants who want to make sure our country remains safe and vibrant. Without the drive to do this kind of work, it can become overwhelming. On the other hand, every time a victim thanks me, or a defendant is held accountable, it is extremely satisfying.

[Seattle Federal Courthouse]

Friday, October 2, 2009

Insider's Perspective - Acclimating to life as a Presidential Management Fellow in DC

When I joined the Peace Corps as a Masters International student from the Evans School of Public Affairs, I fully intended on it being a stepping stone into a traditional international development career: USAID, International Rescue Committee, or Gates Foundation. But plans change in the Peace Corps. Sometime during my two years assisting a small village with ecotourism development while confronting the environmental challenges of balancing subsistence with preservation, I discovered that my passion was not in some abstract form of "helping people," but was instead in working on this specific issue of sustainable development. I also learned that this form of "development" did not necessarily mean traveling around the world. Instead, I felt that I could use my experience working with a community that walks this fine line between providing a better life for their families now and ensuring the same same for their grandchildren in order to make real change where it counts.

So upon returning to the US, I began the process of entering into US Federal Service through the Presidential Management Fellowship. Working for the US Government may not have quite the same sexiness to it as the Gates Foundation, but I firmly believed that the actions taken by the US in terms of domestic environmental policy have a major and real impact on the ability of communities around the world to thrive.

Accepting my current positions as a Policy Analyst at the Department of the Interior did not come without serious consideration. After two hot, muggy years in Central America, I swore that the only way I would ever leave the Pacific Northwest would be kicking and screaming, with a hot cup of Cafe Vida in one hand and a cool pint of Big Time IPA in the other. But life here is good. Though it is no Mt. Rainier, the view of the Washington Monument is pretty awe-inspiring, and while I have yet to find a good coffee shop to sit and relax, the parks and open spaces have exceeded my expectations. And most of all, I am fulfilled by the work that I am doing, helping to inform decisions at the highest level of Interior, protecting our nation's public lands and resources in the best way that I can.

Shella Biallas
Presidential Management Fellow
Office of Policy Analysis
Department of the Interior

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Doing Meaningful Work

In 1961, President Kennedy urged Americans to commit themselves to achieving the goal of landing a person on the moon before the decade was out. It was one of the most ambitious goals a nation had ever undertaken. And it was the kind of goal that required such vast support, resources and coordination, that only the United States federal government could have achieved it.

Last July marked the 40^th anniversary of Americans landing on the moon. This anniversary got a lot of media coverage and what struck me over and over was the way that everyone involved in the space program was proud to have played a part in achieving that monumental goal. They didn’t just help America gain bragging rights, they changed the course of human history. Their work had meaning.

Today, America faces issues that are vastly more complex and more urgent than taking a person to the moon. Climate change, the global recession, leading nations to ensure all people have access to basic human rights, these are all situations that cannot be solved by market forces or individual organizations. These problems need the size and the capacity that only the U.S. Federal Government can bring to bear.

But the U.S. Federal Government faces another kind of challenge— recruiting talented, passionate young people who bring new ideas and the potential for leadership to federal service. It’s been estimated that one third of federal employees will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. This exodus of baby boomers is made worse by a federal recruiting and application system that is old, slow and difficult to navigate.

The Good News (Part 1)

Luckily the President’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget and Plan established requirements for hiring reform. And congress is drafting legislation to overhaul the way that federal agencies attract and hire people. These efforts should hopefully make finding and landing a job with a federal agency simpler and faster. But it’s still not easy to wrap one’s mind around the huge number of federal agencies and how to get into them.

The Good News (Part 2)

Another bright spot is that the University of Washington was recently awarded one of five grants from the Partnership for Public Service to promote students exploring careers in the U.S. government. As a result of this grant, a diverse group of UW students, faculty and staff are working together to make sure that UW students and alumni have the tools and the knowledge needed to explore federal careers. This includes not only the blog you’re reading, and links to helpful documents and websites, but also real human beings; UW students and alumni who have done or are doing work with federal agencies, as well as employers from federal agencies. Agencies that are doing meaningful work like mitigating global climate change (Environmental Protection Agency), recovering from the global recession (The Federal Reserve Bank), ensuring human rights (The Peace Corps), or even being part of a mission to put a person on Mars (NASA). To get involved and/or learn more, please attend the events promoted on this website and/or email governmentjobss@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Apply by Sept 29th for Part-Time Student Jobs with the EPA

Student Temporary Positions (must be enrolled and pursuing a degree)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Submit resume by Monday, September 28 to Westley Foster at foster.westley [at] epa.gov

TWO POSITIONS with the The Fiscal Management and Planning Unit, which manages the Environmental Protection Agency Region 10's fiscal resources and ensures the region complies with standardized accounting policies and procedures:

1) Entry Level Budget Technician
2) Entry Level Financial Technician

1) BUDGET TECHNICIAN

The Budget Team manages the Region's payroll and FTE budget centrally, oversees Regional Support and Working Capital Fund budget, and allocates, monitors, and reports on the budget. Budget is responsive to our customers at every level within the Agency, just as we rely on employees at all Agency levels to be responsive to our needs. FMPU is a dynamic Unit that often works under pressure and tight deadlines.

SPECIFIC MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Serve as an entry level budget technician for the FMPU's Budget Team.
2. Perform general office or program support duties such as preparing, receiving, reviewing, and verifying documents; processing transactions; maintaining office records
3. Locate and compile data or information from files and other data sources
4. Research EPA regulations and guidance to make recommendations for the resolution of pending budget and accounting issues.
5. Maintain Excel spreadsheets used to track and report budgetary and accounting information related to appropriated funds and recovery act funds.

2) FINANCE TECHNICIAN

The Finance Team (Finance) deals specifically with regional policy, quality assurance and control, payroll and time-and-attendance, funds control, superfund cost recovery, travel, and financial systems. Finance is responsive to our customers at every level within the agency, just as we rely on employees at all agency levels to be responsive to our needs. FMPU is a dynamic unit that often works under pressure and tight deadlines.

SPECIFIC MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Serve as an entry level Financial Technician for the FMPU's Finance Team.
2. Liaise with other regional finance offices, EPA financial centers, and Headquarters to research pending financial and accounting issues.
3. Research EPA regulations and guidance to make recommendations for the resolution of pending financial and accounting issues.
4. Maintain Excel spreadsheets used to track and report budgetary and accounting information related to appropriated funds and recovery act funds.
5. Assist Superfund Cost Recovery personnel track bills, dunning notices, and other cost recovery documents needed to maintain accurate cost recovery files/records.

If you have questions about either position, please contact Westley Foster at foster.westley [at] epa.gov or 206-553-1604.

Westley Foster
Tribal Coordinator
Vice-Chairman, National EPA Hispanic Employment Mgmt. Council
Region 10 Hispanic Employment Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs
Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit, TTAU-085
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900
Seattle, Washington 98101
Phone: (206) 553-1604
Fax: (206) 553-015

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Serve America Challenge

The Federal Government Supports Your Community - Do You?

On April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which calls on Americans to make a difference by volunteering. In support of the President’s call to serve, we challenge you to serve your community. If you are a current or recent undergraduate or graduate student in the greater Puget Sound area, we want to recognize you for your volunteer service efforts.

Step 1: Serve your community.

Volunteer a minimum of eight hours of your time at a recognized organization. Find volunteer opportunities at http://www.serve.gov/.

Step 2: Tell us about it.

Create a work of art, a video, essay, website or photograph that demonstrates how your volunteer activity served and improved your community. Please be sure to answer each of the questions below in formulating your creative entry.

What did you experience? How did it make a difference? Why was it significant to you?

Step 3: Get recognized.

All participants will have their names published on the SFEB website: www.seattlefeb.us Just follow the links to “Serve America Challenge.”

Need more incentive?

A $100 award will be given to the overall top entry!

In addition, one participant in each media category (art, video, essay, website, or photo) may receive*:

- Publication of their accomplishment.
- Job Shadow with a local federal executive.
- Tour of a federal facility, such as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessel.

Be recognized at the Executive Leadership Council meeting of the Seattle Federal Executive Board. This meeting brings together leaders from 25 of the largest federal agencies in the Puget Sound area. It is a great learning opportunity with senior executives.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to share your volunteer experience, receive recognition for your accomplishments, and network with executives in the federal community!!

Deadline approaching fast! [October 16, 2009]; Learn more by visiting the link below and/or on Facebook by searching “Serve America Challenge”

http://www.seattlefeb.us/ServeAmericaChallengeIntro2009.doc

Pop Quiz

Question:

What do these 5 institutions have in common?

MACALESTER COLLEGE
NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (NJIT)
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Answer:

Each competed [and won!] nationally for a grant from the Partnership for Public Service, focusing on raising the profile of federal employment for undergraduates, graduate students and alumni.

Why is this important?

Well, the U.S. Federal Government IS hiring and needs new talent. UW will host a variety of federal-career-related events and workshops throughout the year - don't miss out! Explore this blog for resources, links, announcements and REASONS why you should seriously consider pursuing a federal career.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Dispossessed People and the Rise of the Security State

Both Repbulican and Democrat alike seem to acknowledge, and fund, the rise of a security state, spurred in great part by 9/11. More electronic equipment and other hardware, more trained staff, more joint task force committees and "centers", etc.

At the same time, Connecting the Dots, we are witnessing a growing number of dispossessed people, the "jobless" in the "jobless recovery." Detroit and many unnamed towns and cities, like Flint, MI, have had former factory workers sitting on their porches now since the 1980s. (As an aside, the parents of these people sitting on the porches, many of whom have now passed on, got slammed by the Savings and Loan crisis/heist; an "economic failure" not too unlike the sub-prime loan debacle. But I digress....)

The establishment seems blind to the realities of families and individuals who must cope with ... no money... no health care... Where do they go? In the case of Brazil:

These dispossessed people have only two places to flee to: the shantytowns or the Amazon.

We're talking about formerly "lower-to-middle class" becoming destitute. These people "seem" to "go away," and some do, pushed to death. Those who live chop at the edge of rain forests or do whatever it takes to survive.

A glaring image of the dispossessed closer to home (the US) was splashed all over establishment media when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans.

The rise of Security State was seen in New Orleans during Katrina; something new was a heavy presence of privatized security, Blackwater being most notable because of reports of their abusive behavior. The key word is "private;" as soon as disasters become profitable, be the natural or man-made, the security industry benefits... disaster capitalism as described by Naomi Klein.

I could go on, but my only point is to connect-the-triangle-of-dots between the growing dispossessed, the rise of the security state and the bi-partisan support of the latter in the face of the former... the establishment fears the unwashed masses, nothing new there.

Presidential Management Fellowship Information Session

Grad Students -

Are you interested in a great job after finishing graduate school? One that comes with a salary of $48,000 to $69,000, possible student loan repayment of up to $60,000, extensive training, a great network of mentors, and excellent health and retirement benefits?

Then consider applying for the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) - a special, paid, 2-year fellowship program in the federal government, which is exclusively for students finishing a graduate program between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010.

The Career Center, Graduate School, Evans School, & Jackson School are co-sponsoring an information session about this amazing opportunity. Come learn about the required application materials, assessments, deadlines, opportunities, and the short-term and long-term benefits associated with being a Presidential Management Fellow. Also, hear from agencies who hire fellows and from individuals who recently completed their PMF tenure.

Thursday, October 1st, 4:30-6:00, Thomson 125

No registration required.

Learn more about PMF at - https://www.pmf.opm.gov/HowToApply.aspx

Saturday, September 12, 2009

American Exceptionalism: The Connection

So, what's the connection between the concept of American Exeptionalism and the Establishment? There are surely many, but one is a subtext of the two-party system... that the both parties accept the myth of American Exceptionalism.

First, American Exceptionalism is a view, deeply ingrained in our culture, that the United States of America superior among nations as if god-given. The "Gods" in this case were the "founding fathers," and the US form of democracy is viewed as not only the best, but unsurpassable.

This notion of being "special" includes a belief that US actions are for the common good of the world. The US spreads democracy, which is a noble pursuit. It is a belief held by both conservative and liberal Americans, albeit liberals acknowledge past imperfections of slavery, the omission of women's rights in the original constitution, etc.

When it comes to foreign policy in particular, American Exceptionalism binds the Democrats and Republicans to very similar views and imperial activities abroad. Take the following doctrine for example:

Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.

This policy was voiced in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter. To be even more clear, no outside force will impinge on US Control of Persian Gulf Oil... it is unstated that the "benevolent" United States should have control over this oil rather than anyone else. The establishment agrees, and American Exceptionalism is a common underpinning of that agreement.

For More on the mythology of American Exceptionalism, and its implications, check out GDAE Podcast Episode 18 (35 - min).