A Public Service Academy

Hey! It’s been a few days and we have a new addition to our team, Fred Muna. Hey! I go to the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth majoring in Political Science and Economics, I enjoy traveling and playing soccer. Welcome.

In our work here at YSA, we recently learned about the proposal for a U.S. Public Service Academy (PSA), an idea generated by two Teach for America alumni. Their plan is to create an undergraduate institution devoted to developing civilian leaders for the public sector. This school will be modeled on the military academies, the PSA will offer four years of tuition-free education in exchange for five years of civilian service following graduation. The full details for their plan are available on their website, click here.

The three of us interns agree that this is a great idea. It will serve as an alternative to people who may not be interested in serving in the military. Young people want and can serve our country in a variety of ways. Not all of us posses the skills or interest to join the military, the Academy will allow us to still serve our country. Would you be for this type of alternative service to the country?

Have a good weekend.
Matthew, Gina, and Fred

The Obama Pound

A pound? A fist bump? A weird high-five? What was it? Tuesday night as Barack Obama walked on stage to deliver his victory speech as Democratic presidential nominee he did what the media considered to be a weird gesture. He clenched his fist, put his arm forward and gave his wife a fist pound. For us young people we know what this is, it’s a pound. But the media was puzzled. They were expecting an embrace, maybe a small kiss, but instead saw this hip exchange of emotions between Barack and his wife, Michelle.

Was this an intentional, planned out gesture? Obama has been painted by many as a youthful candidate for 2008 election. One can only wonder whether or not this was common behavior or planned opportunity to capitalize and resonate with youth. By doing this he may have confused the older population, but this fist pound was simply another way to attract in the younger audience. Purposely or spontaneously, Obama made himself seem cool, hip, and in touch with young voters. Did this make him look young or did he distance himself from the older audience?

And in signing off, pound.
Matthew and Gina

Laughing (at) Politics

Our generation is not interested in the typical nightly newscasts. We want our television programs to be entertaining, light-hearted, and easy to digest. With the presidential election coming up the nightly comedy shows have provided a way for the young audience to become informed about the candidates and the issues that matter. Options like Stewart, Colbert, Leno, and Letterman are much more appealing to watch because they satire the headlines. This sort of political comedy is a great way for youth to get “educated” and more importantly involved with political issues and campaigns.

This election year it was very popular to make the round of the late night shows. It gives an aspect of realism to the candidates. It shows the candidates are down-to-earth and “cool” if they are willing to be guests on these shows. One of the main targets for these three shows is the college age. For us and many of our friends the late night hosts are easy and fun ways for us to hear our current events. Even though these shows are not the conventional ways to get the political newsfeed, they keep us informed. We often find ourselves more interested because the shows make political information funny. What about these shows make the presidential candidates more relatable? Are there other unconventional sources you use to get your political information?

Make us laugh.
Matthew and Gina

An Alternative Way to Be Active

Welcome to the coolest and most important blog of the summer! We’re the coolest and most important people of the summer. This is Matthew Kurs-Lasky. And this is Gina Baratta. First, we’ll tell you a little about ourselves. I’m (Matthew) a junior Marketing major at the University of Maryland (Go Terps!), I was born in Pittsburgh, and I like playing (and winning) racquetball in my spare time. Hey! It’s Gina here. I just graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Political Science, I love the windy city of Chicago (I’ll be moving there in the fall), and I’m a huge Red Wings fan. (Matthew is still bitter that his Penguins lost.)

The days are becoming longer, the pools are open, and our summers have begun. How are we going to keep ourselves busy? Some of our friends will be sleeping until noon, watching endless reruns on TV, and sitting at home repeatedly checking the internet. Boring! While the summer is time for us to relax, both of us have realized the importance of doing something worthwhile with our time. We’ve found a way to mix our interests with worthwhile opportunities. This summer we’re both interning with a non-profit organization (Youth Service America) here in our nation’s capital, focusing on ways to get and keep young people engaged civically. Our work in the office will allow us to learn the resources and tools needed to enable others to be involved with service and civic activities. Since we will be living, working, and playing in DC all summer long, we will keep you current on everything you’ll need to know leading up to something very important, Election ’08. We’ll be posting our happenings for the summer, but we want to learn about you too! What are you doing to be active—politically or civically? Do you have any tips for others?

Keeping it cool.
Matthew and Gina