Wednesday

Wednesday morning: still slightly chilly but much warmer than before. We had breakfast (cinnamon rolls), loaded into the bus, had morning worship at the Truman building, did prayer walks and gathered once more in our room at the T. building. Our first field experience of the day, and 3rd of the week, was with Carolyn and Sarah, my wonderful committee leaders. Once more we were at the Capitol building, where they told us some things about lobbyists and gave us our assignment: interview lobbyists. Wow! I, honestly, don’t like walking up to someone in that situation and talking to them like that. I don’t know why: I have no trouble meeting new people or talking to people I know, but for some reason I’ve never liked talking total strangers on a topic like politics or something. It’s weird. But anyway, we were divided into 3 groups: Michael and Kayley; Ellen, Alexander and me; and Kjia, Lauren and Gabby together. I actually didn’t mind talking to people so much once I got started… I should do that more often! :P LOL! JK!
We had lunch as a whole committee, first timers and alumni together (we had 2 alumni in JUD: Zach and Susanna).
Our 4th field experience of the week was with Michael, about the senate. It was interesting.
Whenever I think of a filibuster (that was one thing Michael mentioned) I think of the movie “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.” I watched part of it for the first time in 2006 at the AGC (American Government Camp) watch party, after which Mom got it so I got to see the whole thing. A very interesting movie, by the way. :)
We got to have Wednesday’s session on the House floor, which was neat! :) I wonder what the school kids who were getting a tour at that time thought to see a group of highschoolers debating down there! :D That day Jonathan H. introduced a resolution, allowing any resolution that Clayton introduced to be passed immediately. It would have worked just fine but our “Speaker” seemed to not see Clayton raising his hand to be recognized, so the session ended without Killian being impeached as was the plan.
The legislative sessions were some of my favorite parts of the week, even if my bill DID get killed in committee… oh well, I don’t mind that much. :P It was really interesting getting to watch and listen to the debates, though I, personally, didn’t join in.
At some point during the day we went to the Missouri Supreme Court Building and met a judge. That building is really neat!
We played a game called “Power Grab” that afternoon too, in which we were divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Everyone had a copy of the Constitution and when we were told in what way a certain branch was taking power the other 2 branches set about to find the place in the Constitution which told the law concerning the particular power. Unfortunately my team (the Executive team) lost. :) Maybe we can win next time.
That night the game “Freeze” was played. I didn’t join in except to watch and laugh, but that too was fun! :) An excellent game to play if you’re going to act! :D Some of the people were better than others, but it was a great game!
Hope knocked on our door for rendezvous that night and, on the spur of the moment, I ran over and stood just behind it. Poor Hope! LOL! I have WAY too much fun scaring people, though part of that might be Daniel’s fault because he is so dramatic and fun to scare! :P


At the Supreme Court Building







Sarah, Michael, Killian, Will and Hope