"Really, that's why Germany invaded France, it was for the croissants."

More great quotes here, I always enjoy the Overheard in DC weekly post in the DCist, it is always worth the read.

Snopes has an interesting post on the reason why there is no J Street in DC. Former Hill types and DC folks will probably enjoy, everyone else will hardly care.

Jen talks about a WashPost story and she's completely right, go read it, amazing stuff. DC life is so fast most folks wouldn't notice a great artist at work. When I was in DC I always tried to at least give a dollar if a decent musician was playing by a subway entrance. They were not asking for money but providing atmosphere and I always respected them more than someone asking for a handout.

I was saddened to hear that Carpool in Arlington is closing. It was a great stylist pool hall I played at from time to time when I lived down the street. Decent BBQ, good beer, and a bit too many Dot Com Hipsters at busy times, but at other times it was just a great place to hang out. But considering how high rise condos have been building up since I left Ballston I am not suprised.

At least the crappy basement bar is still there. (Had to say it for Lex)

One element of DC life I have missed since my return to Arizona is the educational/policy events. These are mostly panels or speeches by people on a particular policy topic. boring to your average Joe, but if you are interested in a particular topic or policy issue they can be very informative. For example I had the chance to hear Gerhard Schroeder before he was election Chancellor of Germany and Bob Zoellick , current Deputy Secretatary of State, speak before he ever went to work for the current Bush Administration.

Watching C-Span can be helpful for getting to see some of the high profile events, there is a myriad of events that they never have a chance to cover. This is a good niche for podcasts I am coming to realize. Often these events don't have powerpoint presentations, so the main element is the voice which translates well to the podcasting enviroment.

I read recently about Josh Kaufman's Personal MBA, perhaps podcasts like these may start elements of a Personal PPD (Public Policy Degree).

Much like my Flagstaff Wifi post expect this post to have future adjusments as new material becomes available. Categories are Podcasts, Material Online (but not quite there), and my Wish List. Lastly, if you have a podcast to add to the mix please email me geistbear(AT)yahoo(DOT)com.

Podcasts
These are the places that are already ahead of the curve and have full podcasting content with RSS feeds.

America's Future Foundation http://www.americasfuture.org/events-archive/affarch-radio.php
America's Future Foundation is a unique beast among the DC think tank environment, a mix of Libertarian and Republicans, that tries to help develop young voices inside the beltway. They have a monthly program event that focuses on issues of the day. Their programing features AFF radio, a monthly current event discussion, and monthly Roundtable events. It's a good group of people and they run great live events if you ever get the chance to attend one.(*5/3/05)

CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/podcast/
This one isn't surprising CSPAN has always been on it's game for adapting to technology. For those who don't know them to quote their website "C-SPAN is a private, non-profit company, created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a public service. Our mission is to provide public access to the political process." They primarily air Congress sessions live and other public policy isssues of interest. Hill Staffers (and former Hill staffers) are total addicts, if you ask if they have ever watched CSPAN in the middle of night and they say no, they are probably lying.

CATO http://www.cato.org/podcasts/
This Libertarian think tank has been an early adopter of technology, not surprising since the Libertarian's heavy presense online. They have regular programs on technology policy issues.

Center for Democracy and Technology http://www.cdt.org/publications/vpp/audiocast.xml
CDT as it's known in DC is similar to EFF but far more involved in daily policy discussions. For the moment the program is mostly testimony and press calls, but it's a start. Ari Schwartz who is often featured in the programs, is very astute, so I would not be surprised for him to expand the content in the future.

Electronic Freedom Foundation http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004733.php
Haven't had a chance to checkout the content, but I just noticed the addition of podcasting in their latest email alert. (*6/13/06)

Germany Embassy/Information Office http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/press/Germany_Info_Podcast.xml
A surprising addition I found while finishing up this post, updates to follow on the content.

Hertiage Foundation http://www.heritage.org/press/events/podcast.cfm
Newest think tank to offer a podcast, when I did my initial survey of think tanks sites they hadn't started a podcast yet, they were only doing streaming. This think tank has a definate Republican and Conservative philosphy.

Net Caucus http://www.netcaucus.org/podcast/
This is one that surprised and delighted me, have you ever wondered what kind of briefings Hill Staffers hear in regards of technology policy issues, here you go. This is the podcast of the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee that regularly hosts educational events for Members and Staff on technology issues.

Online, but not quite Podcasting
These are organizations that have put some of their content online, but they don't have RSS feeds available yet.

American Enterprise Institute http://www.aei.org/events/filter.all/eventvideo_list.asp
One of the best known and highest profile think tanks, I tend to think they are more centrist, but reports across the web tend to think them right wing. Their content is only video only and requires Windows Media Player. I would prefer a platform neutral but at least it's online.

Center for Strategic and International Studies http://www.csis.org/press/transcripts/
CSIS tends to focus on more international and security issues, hence the name, but they have great speakers on a regular basis. Currently their programing is all streaming no downloads.

New America http://www.newamerica.net/index.cfm?pg=transcripts
While self-billed as a Centrist think tank I often get the feeling it's a Left-leaning group. That said they host a number of events a month and many of them are related to technology issues. The biggest problem is they don't offer RSS feed, but they do offer their programs in a number of formats online Windows Media, mp4 and mp3.

SAIS JHU
SAIS hosts a number of national and international speakers during the year. They have added mp3 and listening archive to their website, but no RSS feeds yet (*12/1/06)

Wish List
Places in my humble opinion have a lot to offer, but don't yet.

American Institute for Contemporary German Studies
AICGS does a number of programs on a daily basis and frankly putting them on a podcast could definately have positive impact on the German American relationship.

Brookings
Besides AEI and Hertiage this is the third big name think tank in DC, they do tend to lean Left in their speakers, but they have a great prestige and not even parked (non-RSS) content which is a shame for the regularity of them holding events.

Embassies and other international groups
A common complaint of non-Americans is the every day American Joe doesn't think of them. Here is your opportunity to step up and educate them about your country and perspective. I know some of the Embassies have regular programs in DC and think that some of them would translate well to podcasting. For example see the Germany listing above.

Electronic Privacy Information Center
EPIC is a great resource for first amendment and privacy issues, and has the potential to do a great podcast.

German think tanks
German think tanks offer regular events in the DC area that would make great content. If any of these groups do start a podcast I would recommend they do them don't just cover the English events, use the auf Deutsch material as well, because some of us would enjoy the opportunity to practice their German.

Technology Trade Groups
Examples such as Technet, ITAA, and PPI come to mind plus many more, they all do events and some of that material would be likely enjoyed by a greater audience.

Thanks to Julian and Josh for inspiring this post

It does seem Maryland Driver's are the worst of the DC area *BIG GRIN*

I think I have emailed my friends but in case I missed you I will be back on the East Coast next month the 2nd through the 11th. A few days in DC and a night in NYC at the end, but it will be fun. The trip is for work, but it will be good to see some friends in the process. If I have not contacted you and you'd like to meet let me know by emailing me at geistbear(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Great Post by Hugh, I suspect knowingly or unknowingly his principal was a reason for my move back to Arizona three years ago. I still haven't gotten there, but it always nice to see the point made so well.

I get the occasional question if I miss life in DC, mostly from people who live there. I always answer "I don't" which is true until I heard a friend was recently offered a job in my old neighborhood. As we talked about the area as he is moving from Flagstaff I remembered all the things I did enjoy just walking distance from my house or a short metro ride away. For the first time I really do miss living there.

But that said I am very happy to be home. Closer to family, old friends, and I love the weather. The pace of life is a littler slower and it has allowed me to write more often (and I know I need to write even more).

I'd like to wax on this topic a little more, but quite frankly I have a dog at home who is waiting to play.

As I watched Saving Private Ryan tonight I was reminded of another story of sacrifice, a story that touches me a bit more personally. A good friend and I were planning on seeing this movie the weekend of it's release but life, as they say, got in the way. On that Friday my friend's life was saved, along with many others, by John Gibson, a Capitol Hill Detective. Detective Gibson sacrificed himself so that many people I knew could live. As much as we wanted to see that film that weekend it didn't happen, we had responsibilities that made it not an option. Saturday was filled with me answering phones and helping deal with the media, a weekend meant to be spent with friends visiting from across the country lost to more important duties. On the Sunday my friend pondered that Friday and I had the responsibility of keeping his mind off those days events as best I could. A war film seemed like the worst option so we never did see it that weekend.

Not until rerelease many months later did we see it, but frankly the theme of battles and gunfire still made me leery of seeing it with him even if it was to fulfill a promise. I was afraid it might him remind him of that July day that we would like to forget, but the courage of one man's actions we never would forget.

I am aware of the nature of web archives as I write these words and hope they bear some permanence, but with the internet who knows. John Gibson deserves the recognition that heroes do exist today and in the human spirit we should not let them be forgotten. I know I won't.

Goes to Officials at Maurice J. McDonough High School. Evidently you can wear a Bolo tie in the US Congress but not at their school.

I always knew Old Town Alexandria was a cool neighborhood, but this proves it! I'll have to try it out next time I am back in the DC area.