Google Video---Bob Graham Addresses UWF Freshman Seminar on Civic Involvement on Nov 28, 07!

To see a 15 minute video of Senator Bob Graham addressing the University of West Florida, Pensacola freshman seminar on how to get college youth involved in politics and civic life, click on the video arrow at the bottom left under the screen:





A big thanks to UWF senior Journalism student CYNTHIA MUNOZ for videotaping and editing this segment, which she did as a class assignment for Professor Gary Ghioto!

Former Fla.Governor Shares Views on World Affairs
ASHLEY FAULKNER, news reporter Nov. 29, 2007, reprinted from UWF student newspaper, The Voyager:


http://media.www.thevoyager.net/media/storage/paper977/news/2007/11/29/News/Bob-Graham.Visits.Uwf-3128292.shtml

It was just another busy day at work Wednesday at the University of West Florida for former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. Graham, a two-term Florida governor who maintained his work ethic made popular during his reign as governor in the '70s with a flurry of meetings and news conferences held in the UWF Conference Center.

Graham's day started at 8:30 a.m. in the Nautilus Chamber with the Department of Government faculty to discuss ideas from his yet to be published book, tentatively titled "What Every Citizen Needs to Know to Make Democracy Work." Later on during his series of meetings and speeches, he jokingly asked if anyone could think of a better, cleverer title, to please let him know.

From the discussion with faculty, Graham moved down the hall to the World Affairs Forum Event. Graham spoke to the campus community about democracy and world affairs, and spent almost half the lecture discussing national security.

During the forum, Graham used his 2004 book entitled "Intelligence Matters" to help answer questions from students about American intelligence in the Middle East, 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Graham maintained that one of the many reasons America went to war with Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 was because "In September 2002, the drumbeats for war were really loud."

A problem with this, he said, was that American intelligence agencies were not prepared and not armed with adequate knowledge of the people being fought and their culture. He said that America just had "no one competent enough" to go and check out what Afghans and Iraqi's had, like possible weapons of mass destruction, ahead of time in order to better prepare for war.
Continued below...

BELOW:Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham talks to event coordinator Chat Sue after speaking to Sue's freshman seminar class on November 28. Graham visited UWF to promote his soon to be published new book on citizenship and political participation.



Graham also talked about possible exit strategies for the war in Iraq, alluding to a slow and "honorable withdrawal" from a situation that requires more resources than the United States can commit to win.


"We can't afford to lose, but we have been distracted (by Iraq) for the last five years, so we are tottering on the verge of defeat," Graham said.

Strategically, he said, Afghanistan is where the focus of the war should have been; all the military can do in Iraq is maintain a habitat that is hospitable for the leaders of that country to try to construct a workable government.

"One country can not impose its political views on another culture," he emphasized.

Although the bulk of the questioning involved the war in Iraq, Graham also got a chance to answer questions about immigration in the United States, where he proposed his idea of "earned status." In this process, he explained, an immigrant could legally stay in the United States by fulfilling certain expectations, such as learning the English language and demonstrating a commitment to working in order to be self-sufficient.

Another big topic at the news conference later in the afternoon was education in the state of Florida. Graham is very invested in promoting institutes of higher learning in Florida, and praised UWF for its growth since his last visit in Dec. 1966.

"The dream of the University of West Florida has become such a handsome reality," Graham said, during a brief history lesson on how the 1960s provided a boom in higher learning institutions for Florida.


Graham enthusiastically made the correlation between a thriving state economy and its commitment to its universities, referring to the successes of California and North Carolina's relationship between legislation and university systems.

"I think that's what we should be doing here in Florida," he said. "Universities provide future leaders that will make businesses successful."

Graham briefly added that this could be current Florida Governor Charlie Crist's big chance to cement his place historically as a worthy leader, if Crist were to take such initiatives.

Graham concluded his visit at a forum with UWF academic advisor and instructor Chat Sue's freshman seminar class, and said that his future travel plans will take him to a speaking engagement at the University of Miami. He said that he is trying to visit as many of the universities in Florida as possible while trying to procure endowments for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service based at the University of Florida.

Super Bob Graham Gets Attention of UWF Students, Others On and Off Campus

Pictured: UWF Business Dean Ed Ranelli, SLS instructor/advisor Chat Sue, and Pensacola News Journal editorial editor Carl Wernicke share a moment with Super Bob Graham in between his numerous public appearances Nov. 28. [Photo by John Blackie, UWF]

On November 20, UF/Gainesville was willing to shell out forty thousand dollars for the controversial ex US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who appeared on campus under the watchful eyes of the campus police.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/BREAKINGNEWS/71119048/1086
A week later, on Nov. 27-28,another ex federal official, former US Senator and Florida governor Bob Graham, appeared at one unpaid appearance in Pensacola, under the sponsorship of the Pensacola League of Women Voters, followed by five other pubic appearances on campus at the University of West Florida, Pensacola, speaking to at least three hundred people, with no admission charged. His only pay was for a night's stay at the Hampton Inn, compliments of the League, and having his breakfast and luncheon paid for by UWF the following day.

And really, the response that he received was like that of a conquering hero, one who has dedicated his entire adult life to serving the people of Florida and the US with great distinction as a leader's leader and populist, an opinion even shared by his political opponents from a span of over 40 years in public.

The highlight of his appearances had to be his interaction with 27 freshman students in the Freshman seminar course, SLS 1109, entitled Academic Foundations Seminar, at the Commons Conference Center, UWF. For someone who is seventy years old, as well as retired for two years plus, he is indeed Super Bob Graham, with more kinetic power than the Energizer Rabbit!

Super Bob Graham's true Identity...

Bob Graham Biography

After earning his bachelor’s degree from UF in 1959 and a law degree from Harvard in 1962, the Miami Lakes native served 12 years in the Florida Legislature while working in his family’s cattle business and community development businesses. In 1978, he was elected Governor of Florida and served two successful terms. His passion for education was apparent, and in 1986 the Council of Chief State School Officers recognized him for his national leadership in education.

Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, serving three consecutive terms. One of his most important contributions came during his last term, when he was named chairman on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He co-sponsored the bill to create the Director of National Intelligence position and co-chaired the “Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.” Graham later authored 2004’s Intelligence Matters, revealing serious faults in the U.S. national security system.

Since retiring from public office in early 2005, Graham spent the 2005-2006 academic year at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He now plans to focus his efforts on training the next generation of public leaders by mobilizing the academic resources of the University of Florida to solve public policy challenges facing Florida, the nation, and the Americas.

If you wish to contact Former Senator Bob Graham, please write or call:

Senator Bob Graham
6843 Main Street
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Office: (305) 817-4060

TOMORROW, WED, NOV. 28, SUPER BOB GRAHAM AT UWF...

Wednesday, Nov 28, various appearances at UWF, Pensacola, Commons Conference Center.

*10-11:30am [Commons: Conference Center, Room C, World Affairs Club Forum Event --address the campus group, the campus community and the Pensacola community on national security, democracy around the world.
(Open to public)

*11:45-1:00pm Conference Center Room B--Lunch – Invitees only, including UWF student leaders, SLS class members, members of the local media, as well as campus media, including Voyager student newspaper and journalism students. [Open to public also, but only special guests invitees will have lunch provided]

*1:15- 1:45pm Press Conference, UC Conference Center, Faculty Lounge. (Open to public, students, including UWF journalism students]

*2:30—3:30pm Conference Center Room B--Speak to Chat Sue’s Freshman Seminar class. Besides the 27 class members, other members of the campus community are invited to attend and observe. (Anyone can attend, but the main goal of the seminar is for Senator Graham to interact with the students in this SLS 1109 class about how to get college students 18-21 involved in politics/civic affair}


Of course, Senator Graham will also discuss his favorite quotation on civic involvement in a democracy:

“The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.”

Robert Maynard Hutchens

SLS 1109 Class Project---UWF Voter Drive/Forum Nov. 13

Editor's note: The SLS 1109 class, which is completing tasks for its Bob Graham Civics Education Project, sponsored a Voter Registration drive and Political forum Nov. 13 in the UWF Commons Auditorium.


UWF College Democrats' President Dave Robau, Goleft TV's news host Farron Cousins (Golefttv.tv), freshman Matt Wallett, SLS class leaders Sydney True and Nick Wilson,discussed what is at stake for youths 18-21 in the 2008 presidential election, and why college students need to discard their cynicism and get involved, rather than merely "waiting for the world to change."

Freshman class members formed committees, purchased food and beverages for guests, and generally did an excellent job in this prelube to the main, event, the appearance of Senator Graham in their class seminar discussion ON Wed, Nov. 28, from 2:30-3:30 in Conference Room B of the Commons.

Super Bob is coming, minus his cape,Wed Nov 28 to UWF!

Editor's Note: Obviously, Senator Graham has a sense of humor! The many ambitious projects that he has undertaken since his retirement from public life and politics belie his commitment to his state and its citizens, and to the many "pet projects" that he is continually working on! If not
traveling the state and the world, he is busy directing the Graham Center for Public Service at UF/Gainesville, his alma mater:
Graham Center, located at the University of Florida, Gainesville:
Http://www.graham.centers.ufl.edu/


Thanks so much to talented graphic artist Oliver McKinney, from UWF's Student Activities office, for the Super Bob image, which is wonderful!

So that's why his many admirers, regardless of their political persuasion---be they conservative, liberal, or moderate---feel that he is the epitome of the political statesman, as active in retirement as he was as Florida governor and US Senator, a rare breed nowadays.

Senator Graham to speak to SLS Academic Foundations Seminar

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, UWF will host for the second time in three years an on-campus visit by former US Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham, who is as busy in retirement as he was while in public office serving his beloved Sunshine State.

One highlight of Graham's visit will be his ideas on what young people, including those in Chat Sue's Academic Foundations seminar class, can do to be more actively involved in government, politics, and civic life in their communities.

The mostly freshmen students in the class, SLS 1109, who have discussed why their peers seem to eschew anything having to do with politics and government, say that many students are cynical and see these topics as being so unpleasant that they avoid them like the plague.

In preparing for this session with Senator Graham, the class has joined a American down-up youth movement, called Democracy 2.0, aimed at reinventing politics just as if it were a new version of a software program that needs upgrading, or reinvention, rather than be followed because it is the status quo.

The Democracy 2.0 movement is the brainchild of a national youth movement, started on line in early October, called Mobilize.org

The class discussion with Senator Graham will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 2:30 to 3:30 in Room B of the UWF Conference Center. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to observe and take part in the class discussion.

For further information, contact csue@uwf.edu, 850-474-3177,in the UWF Advising Center.

Select a Presidential Candidate whose Views are Most like yours!!

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/select_a_candidate/poll.php?race_id=13

This web site linked above, allows political minded students to find out which major candidate for US president in 2008 has views that are most like theirs!!

Take a few minutes, take the quiz,and find your perfect candidate for the Presidency!

Select a Candidate

By answering a series of questions at the site linked above, about major issues, you can quickly learn which candidates are most closely aligned with your views. You'll be able to learn more about each candidate, hear his/her positions on many issues, and find out how your results compare with those of others who take the survey.

Bob Graham to appear at UWF on November 28, 2007

Nov. 16, 2007

FORMER U.S. SENATOR BOB GRAHAM TO VISIT UWF NOVEMBER 28



PENSACOLA - The University of West Florida will host former United States Sen. Bob Graham Nov. 28. Graham will discuss issues including national security, civic education and effective ways for citizens to participate in democracy, at a World Affairs Club forum, media conference and to a freshmen seminar class. These events are open to the public.

{On Tuesday evening, Nov.27, at 5:30 pm, Senator Graham will be speaking on civic and political engagement as guest of the League of Women Voters of Pensacola. This event is being coordinated by Betty Enfinger of the LWV)

Then on Wednesday, Nov 28, Senator Graham will speak oat UWF at the World Affairs Club forum, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the University Commons Center, Building 22, Room C. A press conference will be held from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. in the University Commons Conference Center Lounge. Graham will conclude his visit with a freshmen seminar class from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. which will be held in the University Commons Conference Center, Room B.

Graham, though retired from public office, is very active, particularly with the newly established Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida:
http://www.graham.centers.ufl.edu/

He is the author of “Intelligence Matters,” released in 2004, as well as his soon-to-be published book, tentatively titled “What Every Citizen Needs to Know to Make Democracy Work for Them.” Graham received his bachelor’s degree in 1959 from the University of Florida and a law degree from Harvard in 1962. A Democrat, his political career began as a Florida State Representative from 1966 to 1971 and a Florida State Senator from 1970 to 1979. He then served as the Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and then as U.S. Senator in Florida from 1987 to 2005.

For more information, contact Chat Sue, University Advising Center, at (850) 474-3177 or e-mail csue@uwf.edu.

Researchers Urge Colleges Promote Political Participation and Suggest Ways to Do It

Wednesday, November 14, 2007
from Chronicle of Higher Education

Researchers Urge College to Promote Political Participation and Suggest Neutral Ways of Doing So
By SARA LIPKA

Community service attracts record numbers of college students, but not so politics. Researchers at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching have been exploring how to change that.

"Young people are strikingly and troublingly ignorant about politics and political decision making," Thomas Ehrlich, a senior scholar at the Carnegie Foundation, said at a news conference on Tuesday. The conference marked the release of the book Educating for Democracy: Preparing Undergraduates for Responsible Political Engagement (Jossey-Bass, 2007), which presents the findings of the foundation's three-year Political Engagement Project and reads as a how-to manual for colleges to promote political learning.

Just a third of students think it is important to keep up with political issues and events, and colleges are largely responsible for that, said Mr. Ehrlich, who is one of the book's authors. "Many campuses across the country make individual volunteer work such as tutoring kids or cleaning up a park an institutional priority," he said. "We could not find a single campus that made political engagement a priority."

The Political Engagement Project did find, however, 21 courses and programs at a wide array of institutions designed to improve students' knowledge of political and public-policy issues. The project studied those models and interviewed students before and after they participated.

The students' experiences increased their political interest and understanding but did not influence their stances, the researchers found.

"Students' political-party affiliation and their political ideology did not change," said Anne Colby, who is also a senior scholar at the Carnegie Foundation and a co-author of the book.

The researchers adamantly denied the claim, popular among some culture warriors, that colleges' political-learning programs are inevitably doctrinaire. "Education for political learning has to be unbiased, and it has to be really deeply committed to political open-mindedness," said Ms. Colby, who called such neutrality "perfectly possible."


The book examines five educational strategies that expand students' political interest, understanding, and participation, drawing on examples from the model programs. The techniques are not just for political-science courses, the authors insist, but have been used in agriculture, engineering, and English. Those strategies are:


1*Discussion and deliberation. Promote face-to-face, Web-based discussions, simulations like the Model United Nations, and writing assignments in which students can argue opinions grounded in evidence.


2*Political research and action projects.


3*Encourage students to join a group like Young Democrats or Young Republicans or to conduct research on or for a political organization or community group.



4*Speakers and mentors. Connect students to people with substantial knowledge of and passion for a certain issue, setting expectations with both parties for the interaction.




5*Placements, internships, and service learning experiences.


*Structured reflection. Assign students reflective essays or journals to allow them to integrate their learning.

Despite common perceptions, today's college students are not apathetic, Mr. Ehrlich said, citing their involvement in Teach for America and AmeriCorps. "The notion that this is the 'me generation' is just not true. They really want to participate."

But many students veer toward projects with more visible impact because they do not believe they can influence broader systems, he said, and they need to be shown otherwise.

In long reflections on civics and democracy, the book urges colleges to commit to educating students for political participation.

"If you want to think about higher education as preparing students to understand the world and their place in it, certainly understanding the system that they live under ... has got to be part of what we mean," Ms. Colby said. "This is a responsibility and an opportunity for higher education."

Highlights from the book and information on how to order it are available on the foundation's Web site.

Death of Democracy--battle cry quote liked so much by Bob Graham

“The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.”

Robert Maynard Hutchens

This quote by the famous educator and president of the University of Chicago is cited by Senator Graham as the appropos warning for all those Floridians who want to work towards getting young voters, as well as other citizens, as a "call to action" for 18-21 year olds more involved in politics and government, as a way to reform and improving these "calcified" American institutions.

Mobilize.org's Democracy 2.0 Declaration for Millennial Leaders---that means YOU!!! Check it out!

Dear SLS AFS class members and other UWF students,

This is the story of the Democracy 2.0 Declaration.


Mobilize.org

On October 3, 2007, 47 youth leaders ages 16 to 30 gathered
in Washington, D.C to participate in Mobilize.org’s Democracy
2.0 Summit—part of a national movement known as "Democracy 2.0,"
which was launched to upgrade and renew our political process
in America by providing guidelines for positive social
change that take advantage of both the tremendous passion of
today's youth leaders, and the powerful socialnetworking
and technological tools they are using to create communities.

The text at the bottom is the Declaration that emerged
out of the Summit. The "Democracy 2.0
Declaration" is a visionary
document, designed to call attention to the ways
that our democratic process and institutions are
properly serving - and failing to serve - the
interests of young Americans. The Declaration was
written by youth leaders with the sincere
belief that America's youth are a major source
of untapped political power, energy,
and innovative ideas. Democracy 2.0 is designed
to address the civic participation needs
and interests of the Millennial Generation
(targeting the 16-30 age group).

You can support the Democracy 2.0 campaign by
signing on to the Declaration at http://
www.petitiononline.com/Mobilize/petition.html

If you are interested in getting further involved
in creating the final version of this Declaration
and/or play a role in the local action plans
that will organize around the Democracy 2.0
ideals, we encourage you to apply and attend
the Party for the Presidency and join
us in Hollywood, CA on December 29-31, 2007.
Learn more and apply today!

Keep Mobilizin',

The Mobilize.org Team

Join www.mobilize.org

Democracy 2.0 Declaration

DEMOCRACY IS AN ONGOING PROJECT. ITS TIME WE UPGRADE.

We, the Millennial Generation,
are uniquely positioned to call attention to today’s issues
and shape the future based on the great legacy we have
inherited. Our founding fathers intended for every
generation to build, indeed to innovate, on the American
experience. We realize that as young people we are
expected to be the leaders of tomorrow,
but we understand that as citizens we are
called to be the leaders of today.

We are compelled by the
critical state of our present democracy to establish a new vision.

In a world often damaged by conflict and intolerance, we must
commit to develop common ground through equality and open
mindedness.

In a world often damaged by social isolation and materialism,
we must commit to community at the family, local,
national and global levels.

In a world often damaged by instant gratification,
we must commit to creating sustainable solutions.

In a world often damaged by apathy and disillusionment,
we must commit to civic participation and inclusion of
all voices.

The present state of our democracy impedes opportunity
for real change. We must connect the specific issues
failing our population with their underlying
systemic causes.

Our government seems unable or unwilling to adequately
address our broadest problems, including economic
inequality, America’s role in the world, and
the effect of money on the democratic process.
But we must remember, our government is only as
effective as the sum of its citizens. Low civic
participation means the most disadvantaged people
in society are neglected and we overlook many
potential solutions to our problems.

Our generation
is telling a different story. We are uniquely
positioned to foster community engagement
through social networks of all kinds. It is
our responsibility to use information and
technology to upgrade democracy,
transform communication and advance
political engagement and civic
participation.

We are social networkers, we are multi-taskers,
we are communicators and we are opinionated. The
informality of our generation breaks down
traditional barriers and for inclusiveness
and equality. Most importantly, we are leaders
in a society that yearns for leadership.

It’s our democracy,
it’s time to act.

Bob Graham 2.0-what's he doing in retirement? More Active than Ever!!

His book, Intelligence Matters, warned of the lapses in America's intelligence capabilities before and after 9-11. He will discuss his upcoming book, What Every Citizen Needs to Know to Make Democracy Work for Them, with UWF faculty and students next month.

http://www.bobgrahamnow.com/author_bio.html

Though he's retired from public office for over three years,
former Florida governor and US Senator Bob Graham is far from being retired from public life. He is currently working out of UF's Bob Graham Center for Public Service (http://www.graham.centers.ufl.edu/)lobbying the legislature to pass a law requiring the teaching of civics in our schools, and suing the state to allow its public universities to set their own tuition, and appearing throughout the state, country, and the world promoting his many worthy causes! Not bad for someone supposedly retired from public life three years ago!!

But on November 28, 2007, he will be visiting UWF to address students, faculty, staff, as well as community members!

He is also meeting our Academic Foundations Seminar class to hear and react to their class presentation on how to engage more college freshmen in civics, public affairs, and voting! He will meet the class and hear their presentation at 2:30 to 3:30 pm on Wed, Nov 28 in the Commons Conference Center at UWF's Pensacola campus.

All students and faculty are welcomed to attend.