Introduction

This summer, I received the most wonderful news. After sending my resume out with lots of separation anxiety, prayers and an interview, I was offered an internship with Congressman Bill Flores of District 17 in Bryan, Texas. Being the Conservative Aggie I am, I was even more excited to be working for a Congressman who shared my views. Also, almost as equally important, who wore the same piece of gold jewelry I am getting in the Fall. I guess you could say it was fate!


My dream is to become a political reporter. Combining three of my most favorite things: politics, writing and current events, seems like an ideal concoction of a job. Nevertheless, an internship with a Congressman's office is a small step down that path. After my completion of this internship along with Dr. Rice's Political Reporting class in the Fall, I think I am halfway there.... or almost.


I have learned so much in the past week. My first day was a whirlwind of sweaty palms and research. I found out that while I previously considered myself politically inclined, this statement now seems a bit presumptuous. I also considered myself pretty up to date on current events, and even though I do know how long Kim Kardashian's marriage lasted, these are not the type of current events that I dedicate my time to. However, I quickly learned that I needed to know the nitty gritty, hard core details of government. I had to know about HR 904, the committees the Congressman was on, the fact and fiction of Internet rumors about the Obama Administration, past Congressmen, state representatives, and more. Needless to say, I have spent countless hours on Thomas.gov (Thank you Dr. Walraven). I also spend each morning catching up on intelligent current events by reading credible sources (sorry TMZ) like The Washington Post, Fox News, Drudge Report, etc. I have familiarized myself with these websites so much, that if they were a book the pages would be limp and discolored.


I have realized how important being "in the know" is, thank you to Ms. Kelli Levey for those tedious New York Times quizzes we were all so thrilled about. However, you can't just be, "kind of in the know," you have to fully immerse yourself into the politics of today, tomorrow and even 20 years ago.


It's a good thing that I love to read and research things. I am looking forward to being a political  connoisseur soon!




Until next time my fellow patriots,
Madison Fox.