ISI debate on Warrentless Spying at Wheaton College (MA)

On April 30, I had a heck of a day traveling back to the east coast. After a few hours delayed in the Chicago Midway airport, which was where my connecting flight took off from, I finally made it to my final destination: Providence, Rhode Island... about 3 hours later than expected. Oh well, that's how it is sometimes. Air travel can either be really convenient, or really inconvenient. Some days are better than others. My suggestion: take earlier flights. The earlier in the day is usually better.

Anyways, I was traveling to Providence because ISI was holding a Cicero's Podium debate series at Wheaton College, which is in Massachussetts, but only 30 minutes from Providence, RI. So, we usually stay in Providence. This debate was between Jon Miller of The National Review and David Cole, of The Nation and also a professor of law at Georgetown University. The topic was, "Can a Free Society Tolerate Warrantless Spying," and focused mostly on the current debate on the NSA program. It was mostly very good.

I have to give it up for our Campus Representatives at Wheaton College, who run the Wheaton College Conservatives Club: Nick Walton and Dan Mardis. These guys are awesome. On such a Leftist campus, they get the conservative students involved and they turn out a bigger crowd than most could. We had over 150 at the debate. Only about 1500 students even go to the school, so that's turning out about 10% of the student body.

Also, I have to praise Teddy Sifert of Thomas More College for bringing about 8 students down (that's a 2 hour drive!) Teddy and the gang from TMC are what I have dubbed, the "ISI road warriors." They travel like this to so many events with an hour or two drive of Merrimack, NH. They even stayed a few extra hours to hang out with us afterwards at Dave & Buster's in Providence, RI. It was a lot of fun. These debates stimulate discussion and help to engage students in good debate, not to mention good fellowship.

On Tuesday morning, Matt and I from ISI took the train back (Chad left way earlier than we could even imagine). After a 4 and a half hour train ride and 16 days on the road, I went right to ISI to not only pick up my truck and drive it back to my apartment, but also to complete my monthly expense report. Yep, 16 days on the road and the first place I went back to was work. I guess I like this job.