By Nick Davis

Welcome to day 1 of sequestration. As President Barack Obama so eloquently put it the day after he signed Obamacare into law, “I looked around to see if there were any asteroids falling, some cracks opening up in the earth… turned out to be a pretty nice day.” That’s right. Unless you’re a public school official, have a child in primary or secondary school, civilian defense personnel, or live in a military community, you’re unlikely to feel the direct effects of the sequester.

Let me be clear, in no way am I trying to minimize the hardship that these groups face. It’s rather unfortunate that our lawmakers have allowed our children and military to take the brunt of the spending cuts. But, let’s take a moment to really analyze the amount that is being cut here. Of our $3.5 trillion budget, only $85 billion is being cut for this fiscal year, approximately 2% savings according to my own rough math, just a drop in the bucket as I alluded to in my fiscal cliff blog last month.

According to the President and congressional Democrats, this relatively small cut would be catastrophic for the economy. Meanwhile, John Boehner and Republicans want Obama to stop his supposed ‘fear mongering’ and make a concerted effort to make substantive cuts. This political theatre shouldn’t surprise you in the least though. After last week’s weeklong recess, it should be crystal clear that neither side was ever serious about striking a deal.

Obama vacationed in Florida to play a round of golf with Tiger Woods. Other than the fake Vacationgate scandal about how transparent his Administration was being in not allowing the press corps to vacation with him, there was not much news from the Obamas. Congressional leaders took the same break to head back to their districts and visit with their constituents.

So, significant budget cuts are looming that threaten to plunge the United States back into recession and our lawmakers take a vacation? Nothing exemplifies their unattached attitude than congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. She went on MSNBC and repeatedly defended herself and her colleagues stating that the recess was planned months in advance and it just happened to fall the week before sequestration was supposed to take place. Competent and concerned leadership would have scrapped those plans in order to get a deal in place.

I suspect both sides of playing the ‘wait and see’ game this time around. Both parties have a lot to gain if events play out the way they expect. Obama will have concrete evidence that Republicans are responsible for another downturn in the economy. If these cuts turn out to be nothing more than a blip on the radar, they’ll point to the Senate and President’s budget incompetence.

The reality of the situation is that our representatives in Washington have almost no skin in the game. None of them will struggle to feed their families at night. When I think of their role in this situation, I imagine two stuck up, whiny children standing off to the side driving their remote control cars right at each other to see who will flinch first.  If the cars crash, it’s the other side’s fault and they live another day, business as usual.

By Nick Davis

Monday I wrote a reflection about my college experience by summing up a few experiences I had and how they had an impact on me as a person.  What kind of habits have I developed? How do I get the news? How do I interact with others? Technology has changed so much in five years; it’s actually quite impressive. It’s allowed me to customize my political interaction so I can filter the content that interests me.

Before coming to Iowa State, I got the bulk of my news through nightly cable television and the various headlines fed to me through the MSN homepage on the family desktop computer. That changed as soon as I got my hands on a laptop freshman year. Suddenly, I had exclusive control over my newsfeed, highlighted by my entrance into the ‘Twittersphere.’ Twitter may be the single most influential tool I use that enhances my political engagement and shapes my political outlook. I get real time updates on press conferences, rallies, and events straight from politicians themselves. I no longer need to read a summary article the next morning because it was like I was there and witnessed it myself.

I lived in my fraternity this past summer and as part of cost cutting measures, we got rid of DirecTV. It actually wasn’t as bad as it might seem. I regularly streamed the news through various apps on Xbox Live, watched movies on Netflix, and did a lot of gaming, mostly FIFA 2012. The only thing I truly missed was live sporting events. Luckily, I was over 21 years of age and could go to the bar to watch the game.

The introduction of news email subscriptions changed how I got my news once again. I was introduced to daily email lists from E21, Politico, and Mediaite with the latter being my favorite. I can see the most interesting segments while cutting out all of the unnecessary fluff. I regularly find myself sharing the latest fight on Hannity or ridiculous ‘story’ on the Daily Show with my friends on Facebook. Twitter has become a means of information while Facebook is more of a discussion platform.

Most of my friends know me as a big music fan. If I had to choose between TV and music, it wouldn’t even be close.  Up until about a year ago, I almost exclusively used iTunes as my preferred platform. That all changed with the introduction of Spotify. After several months of just using the free version on my laptop, I upgraded to a premium account and I absolutely love it. I have a job where I’m allowed to listen to a mobile device and it really helps pass the time.

You want to know the best part about Spotify Premium though? I never have to listen to political ads. When you live in a swing state like I do, people put a premium (no pun intended) on getting away from the incessant negative campaigning and generic promises.

I recently updated my electronic devices in the last six months. After four years of using my Windows laptop, I made the switch to a MacBook Pro and haven’t looked back. I am exponentially happier with Apple. It runs so much smoother and I don’t have to worry about trojans and viruses. Apple is much more adept at integrating various applications to enhance the user experience.  I really enjoy using the Pocket and Mixtab apps to create my own user experience and use my time more efficiently. Anytime I come across an article I want to read, I’ll save it in Pocket for later when I have more free time. It’s wonderful.

Technology has had a profound impact on how I interact with my peers and favorite people and groups. It allows me to keep closer tabs on their movements and improves the speed and efficiency to which I gather information. How cool is it that I have direct contact with my own state representatives? Chuck Grassley follows me on Twitter and to think that I have some sort of daily interaction with the people that represent me; that’s pretty cool. Now, if only I could get him to form a coherent tweet…

Next week, we are headed back to SXSW in Austin to explore one of our favorite topics: technology and innovation in the Latino community. Press release here. 

With fifty-two million Latinos living in the US today and an estimated 50 million Latino voters expected in 2040, this is a community that will have a major say in hat happens in 21st century America.

While a digital divide exists, the Latino population is making a huge impact on the ever-evolving communications landscape and the way brands and causes engage audiences online.

Our panel at SXSW is called “Latinos y Mobile: A Silver Bullet?”  in which we will explore the problems, opportunities and data surrounding Latinos and digital engagement. Panelists include Brent Wilkes from the League of United Latin American Citizens, Estuardo Rodriguez of The Raben Group, Kety Esquivel of Fenton Communications (her blog here) and our very own Lou Aronson, founder of Discourse Analytics. We’ll also be sharing the results from the second annual Latino Voice survey, which gives Latinos a platform to express how technology has impacted them and their community. The survey is currently open for submission.

If you are going to SXSW next week check out our event on March 8th.  Details here. If you can’t come, follow along the #mobileLTN hashtag on Twitter. 

What most schools don’t teach (by CodeOrg)

By Nick Davis

It’s been about a couple weeks since President Obama and the Justice Department released their legal memo with regards to the drone program only because a leaked memo recovered by NBC forced its hand. In fact, the government still doesn’t even acknowledge its existence and speaks in hypotheticals.  The issue that first arose back in 2011 when American citizens, Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16 year old son, were targeted and killed by two separate drone strikes, has taken a tumultuous turn after the release of a memo that suggests it is perfectly legal for the United States government to kill an American citizen.

It’s certainly a valid question. The United States government would need a judge’s approval to wiretap Anwar Awlaki’s telephone. However, the president can unilaterally order the assassination of Anwar Awlaki, under the stipulations set forth in the white paper. (What is a white paper anyways?)

After taking a step back, weighing the arguments flying back and forth and observing Attorney General Eric Holder handle questions from the press, there are a couple things that I think deserve our attention and should shape our view of this memo.

In an increasingly divisive political landscape, it’s not often that media outlets Fox News and MSNBC agree. Each network has featured the drone memo as front-page news on both their nightly news as well as on their talk shows. Pundits on both channels have in one way or another roundly criticized the perceived overreach of power.

The conservative outlet Fox News veered off the conventional path of a strong national defense. This time it has become a staunch leader of traditional conservative values, due process, and constitutionalism. It frequently featured contributors criticizing the federal government for violating due process clauses of the constitution, including Judge Andrew Napolitano.  The judge has made it clear that the constitution doesn’t grant authority to the government to kill anyone without due process.

While Napolitano questioned the constitutional legality of the memo, Rachel Maddow approached the subject from a practical standpoint. In one of her opening monologues, Maddow acknowledged that everybody is in favor killing  ‘bad guys.’ But, how do you determine who is a bad guy? The words ‘imminent,’  ‘activities,’ and ‘senior US officials’ as it pertains to who can order a strike, are not defined and leave themselves to be easily manipulated. Even if someone knew that they were a suspect (which they don’t), how would they go about proving their innocence if no formal charges are filed and the government skips the trial and assumes guilt?

So, what should we make of this bipartisan reaction to the drone memo? It’s not often that there is a federal policy that is roundly disliked by both parties. Despite legal questions, public outrage itself should tell us about how the American people feel about the ethical implications involved. Let’s be clear. This memo authorizes the killing of American citizens without trial. If that doesn’t upset you, it should.

Additionally, the answers provided to questions over the drone memo by Holder indicate a mix of corruption and secrecy. The day after the memo was released, Holder fielded questions about the legal definitions and justifications to the wording and intent of the document. When asked what the difference between an ongoing and imminent threat is, the Attorney General responded, “We’ll have to look into that.” So he’s saying that he doesn’t know what’s in his own memo? Doubtful. He knows the white paper is heavily dependent on loose vocabulary.

To add to the secrecy, the congressional judiciary committees are the only entities outside of the Obama administration allowed to view the memos. The lawmakers are not allowed to take notes, make copies, or show their staffs. Wow.

Jay Carney tells us that the President takes his role ‘very seriously.’ I should hope so. Has he or his administration taken into account how these legal justifications could be used or interpreted in the future? The concern among many is that this memo could justify the killing of any American, not just a known terrorist. And frankly, it already has, al-Awlaki’s son Samir, was 16 when he was killed. He had no reputation as a terrorist and was never even accused as being such. He just had the unfortunate opportunity to have one as a parent. Everybody enjoys safety and security. This time however, it has crossed a line

Great article in Entrepreneur Magazine about the #DCTech startup scene. Great job representing us @perrelli, @corbett3000 and others

Things started to perk up again a couple of years ago, says Jonathon Perrelli, a longtime entrepreneur who is managing director of Fortify Ventures, a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm that runs The Fort accelerator. “There’s been a big shift from ties to t-shirts,” he says, explaining that many of today’s founders were latent entrepreneurs working within the confines of government contracts. While it can be tough to leave their cushy government posts for the world of startups, many are doing so, either because they’re disenchanted with bureaucracy, need a change from cubicle life or, having built a decent nest egg, can finally afford to make that leap.

Read the rest here. 

By Nick Davis

After five years of college, I am less than three months away from graduating Iowa State University and it feels very liberating and nerve-wracking all at the same time. It has been without a doubt the most satisfying, rewarding, trying, and of course fun experience of my entire life. I’ve learned so much in the classroom, but even more so through the people I’ve met, the clubs I joined, and the internships I worked. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the constant academic and social education I gained in college.

I find it absolutely fascinating to reflect back on the person I was back in 2008 and how I’ve progressed to who I am today. As a freshman moving into the dorms on campus, I remember the sheer excitement of getting out of my parents’ house and experiencing something new and interesting. The world was at my fingertips it seemed, and I was ready for the ride. What happened over the next five years far exceeded my expectations and is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. 

Like many other college freshmen, I came into college with absolutely no idea of what I wanted to study. I’d always liked current events and I watched the nightly news anchored by Tom Brokaw when I could. I still remember the meeting I had with a counselor the summer before my freshman year. Because I was undecided, she recommended taking a broad range of classes in hopes that I might find something I really enjoyed. She was right. Two of the classes I took that fall, Intro to American Government and Intro to Microeconomics, led me to declare a double major in political science and economics.

My professor in that political science class was easily the most thought provoking person I’ve ever met. He taught the class using the Socratic method, the antithesis of your basic hour-long lecture. I looked forward to going to that class everyday. It engaged the mind in a way that constantly had you thinking and questioning the ideas presented, instead of mindlessly sitting through a lecture. That class motivated me to do the reading more than any other I’ve ever taken. If I didn’t do the reading for that day, I would pray to God that I wouldn’t get called on. When you’re constantly forced to express and defend your ideas out loud, you develop the ability to think on your feet and it commits the material to memory. I remember more from that class ten semesters ago than I do from my general education biorenewable resources class I’m taking right now. I enjoyed him and that class so much, I took three more classes taught by him simply because of his style of teaching and the interaction I knew I would have with him.

While college teaches you what you need to know for the working world, I learned just as much from the people I met on how to be as a person. I joined a fraternity at Iowa State and I can honestly say it was one of the better choices I ever made. Like many people, I had the impression that fraternities were exactly what you might see in the movie Animal House. I wanted to have fun, but the partying 24/7 wasn’t something I was interested in. Luckily, Iowa State has 29 different houses; there truly is a house for everyone. I joined as a sophomore on the recommendation from a high school friend largely due to the fact that my parents didn’t want me having my own apartment, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to endure another year in a tiny, cramped dorm.

What began as a search for a place to live turned into a group of friends that I have learned so much from over the years. I met so many different people through seasonal activities and volunteer experiences. Only now as a senior am I realizing the vast opportunities available to me through alumni networking from my specific chapter (Beta Theta Pi) as well as through the general fraternity (thanks, LinkedIn). If I could summarize what I learned through my fraternity experience, it’s that you should try everything once. You never know where it will lead.

The value of a college education goes way beyond just getting a degree. It teaches you how to be as a person, how to think critically, and how to interact and learn from people who are unlike you. There is no way I was mentally capable of entering the full-time working world straight out of high school. I have a lot of people to thank, my advisors, teachers, friends, and anyone I met along the way that helped me become the person I am today. I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t personally thank my parents and sister for the love and support they have given me through the good and bad. In a world where it’s tough to get ahead without a college education, I think it’s an absolute necessity and would encourage anyone on the fence to take a leap a faith and enroll. It’s not just to get a job; it’s an investment in yourself.

History Reimagined: Declaration of Independence (by officevideos)

By Ian Rosoff

The world is on a trajectory that will make Internet access one of the most important necessities for any American. Access means education, opportunity, and innovation. Right now the Federal Communications Commission licenses the airwaves to companies like AT&T, Verizon, and other private providers. The Washington Post published an article outlining a FCC proposal to create a free, public, and powerful WiFi network, that would span the nation, penetrate concrete, navigate hills, and reach rural Americans.

While this idea is still in the planning stages, if it goes forward there would be some huge benefits for consumers. Many would forgo a cable bill and forget about getting a tablet with 4G. It would also empower the poor, especially the rural poor. Connectivity is a crucial part of education and entrepreneurship. Google, Microsoft, and others large tech companies back the plan because the more people using the Internet the more people searching, emailing, and using their services.

The other side of this idea is that the ailing treasury would bring in much needed revenue by licensing the broadband to private corporations. The spectrum that would be given to the public would be worth billions to the taxpayer. Telecoms would be the clear losers with this plan, but they’ve been price gouging for years. There is also the issue of how much cost there is for maintenance and perhaps some start up costs, but the plan would also create new high paying jobs, without any tax increases.

Free WiFi is an appetizing prospect, and in the long run will be worth more to Americans than any revenue from selling the airways. Faster, more reliable Internet would allow for more devices to communicate to each other, including cars and appliances. Energy savings, less accidents, and certainly many other positive benefits yet to be predicted, but I’m thinking robots and smart homes.

For me though, I wonder if free wireless access should be a universal right. More and more it seems that a person without Internet cannot participate in commerce. Every job I’ll apply for the rest of my life will be done electronically. Without the Internet does one have freedom of speech? With every form of communication moving online, when a person is not connected they cannot participate in our democracy.

It is in this country’s best interest to get every citizen online. The web is a tool for empowerment, and upward mobility, and it’s the surest way to improve the intellect of the nation, as well as boost its economy. Much of the world’s information can now only be accessed with an Internet connection. Full and free connectivity is the future, and the U.S. could be the first country in the world to build such a network. 

By Ian Rosoff

Now Congress has until April 15^th to pass a budget, as the debt limit was approved in the Senate. If there is no budget by mid April, then the Senate’s pay will be withheld – as if that will matter to our millionaire statesmen.  Perhaps, as my colleague Nick Davis puts it, “John Boehner and his base have learned the art of realistic and transparent negotiation.” I’m less optimistic. While the House may have voted to approve the debt ceiling, it signals nothing about the GOP’s willingness to compromise on the budget. Remember, this is the same conservative House that saw 179 Republicans vote no on Hurricane Sandy relief. Once again, Congress has put off the topic of sequestration, and there are $1.2 trillion in sequestration cuts set to go into effect on March 1^st.

The only way a deal gets done is if Republicans agree to big tax hikes on the 1%, and if Boehner can’t get his ducks in a row to vote for Hurricane Sandy relief, how can anybody believe he will be able to get those same Congressman to vote yes on a compromise budget, if the Senate ever sends theirs back. The Democrats have Republicans right where they want them. There is an ultra conservative section of the House that just won’t vote yes on any bill, even ones proposed by Republicans.

In his post, Nick brought up the Republican strategy retreat they held a short while ago to decide the direction of the party, and remember that women and minorities have a vote. At the meeting, Governor Bobby Jindel of Louisiana said the GOP must, “stop being the stupid party.” He was right.  Unfortunately, most of the people he was talking about still have jobs in congress.

What Democrats should do to win the debt ceiling/budget debate is to keep attacking from their position of strength. The March 1^st sequestration will now almost certainly happen with the Senate punting until April. Once that sequester hits, people will actually feel the pain. While the fiscal cliff deal reduced the sequester amount in the first year, there will still be a 2% Medicare cut. Hopefully, along with the deep defense spending cuts, this dose of reality will spur Congress to act in a meaningful way.

As of now, there is just a series of never ending cliffs and crises that needs to end. The only way that cycle breaks is for Republicans to realize they must come to the table on taxes or defense spending is going to be eviscerated.

The Democratic leadership has never been more united. The President is popular and Republicans are looking for a new identity. The House has passed the ball to the Senate. All Democrats have to do is wait for sequestration in March, then pass a budget. If Republicans try and block it, they see defense spending go, and look bad in the eyes of a hurting public. If they pass a budget, they might actually put the country back on the right track, all on President Obama’s watch.