By Sam Prieto

Today was our third day in Washington DC. We actually got to sleep late and left at 9:45 AM – a spectacular time that I think we should copy from now on.

Our first meeting was with the National Coalition for the Homeless. There we met with George and Dana, two formerly homeless men who told their stories, shared their problems, and spoke about how society should address the causes of homelessness. Their stories were extremely touching and proved that the homeless are people just like us. We also had a pizza lunch with them.

We then climbed back onto our big, magical bus that we have grown so close to and headed to the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Seeing these important documents that basically created our country is a sobering sight and made me wonder about the direction our country has been and is taking.

We then headed to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It had an interesting exhibit on the Star Spangled Banner, and another on the various wars our country has been involved. Though I have been to this museum four times, I am still amazed by how much history is housed inside the building.

From there we went to Lafayette Square which is in front of the White House. There we met some…characters…including a woman who has been protesting in front of the White House for almost 30 years. She was anti-nuclear weapons and anti-Israel. She had an Israel flag with a swastika drawn over the Jewish star. We all found this extremely offensive, but, as Billy would say, this is the beauty and the tension of freedom of speech. He also told us that she didn’t quite have both feet planted in reality.

At the park, we had a heated group discussion about Israel to review our meeting with J Street yesterday and get us ready for our meeting with AIPAC on Monday. We debated the direction Israel should take and our place in its future. It was a very important discussion.

We then ate dinner at Potbelly Sandwich Shop and headed to the Ronald Reagan International Center to see the Capitol Steps. They are a comedy troupe that makes political satire by writing parodies of popular show tunes and common songs. They poked fun at such things as the BP oil spill and the Clinton’s marriage vs. Tipper and Al Gore’s. I won’t tell you the joke but it had to do with Vegas bookies.

It was a great way to end the day. I would put this day in the top 36 easily. Good night to all and to all, a good night.