Can you find Ben in the picture above? Perhaps not today, but look again in the Fall. Barry Ersoy from Turkey applied to several military academies this year; but he really wanted to attend the Howe Military Academy. As he told me, they were not that willing to admit him until he told them about BFTF. They checked us out and two days ago Barry received an e-mail from them that said “I am very happy to inform you that you have been officially accepted as an 11th grade student at Howe Military School for the 2008-2009 school year!” Congratulations Barry. This is a good example of the doors that open for those that attend BFTF.
The Founders have set up blogs for their week 3 project of running a government of the imaginary country of Great Petronia. For updates on legislation, elections and other major news read The Petronian Tribune web site: http://thepetroniantribune.blogspot.com.
Each of the political party groups have also set up their own blogs. Visit these blogs for information on party platforms, major press releases and news on the process of drafting legislation.
Middle East Affairs Party (MEAP): http://meap.blogs.bftf.org
The China-Petronia Party (ChiPet): http://chipet.blogs.bftf.org
The Trade Party (TP): http://tradepartypolitics.blogs.bftf.org
The Alliance for Climate Protection (ACP): http://acpbftf.blogs.bftf.org
The Progressive Petronian Party (PPP): http://www.pppbftf.blogspot.com
Story by Lendyll
There have been many famous brothers in history. The Wright Brothers, Eli and Peyton Manning, and the Wachowski Brothers but the fellows get to interact with the more academically famous, Dinan Brothers. Today the Diplomats met with Stephen Dinan, the political correspondent for the Washington Times. He fielded their questions about the fast paced world of media. He discussed the changing face of the Washington Times in the brave new world of news on demand.
Later in the institute, the Diplomats will be introduced to Stephen older brother, Professor John Dinan, a professor of political science at Wake Forest and author of the book The American State Constitutional Tradition. He will be helping with the final political simulation.
Two brothers, two political masterminds, one family. Oh the people the Diplomats will meet.
Photos: Which is Professor John and Reporter Stephen?
On Tuesday July 15, five Diplomats from BFTF were invited to the United States Capitol to discuss with a senior official with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the foreign relations between Norway and the United States. The students arrived at about 11 AM at the Dirksen Senate Office Building and met with Mr. Kenny Myers, a senior foreign relations committee expert on Western Europe. He helped give Kenneth the insight on what the United States interests were with Norway, and the future of American relations with the Scandinavian nation. Issues that Kenny brought up included the strategic Read More
In Winston-Salem the Founder’s formed a country and parliament under the direction of Ron Von Burg from Christopher Newport University. Check out the Petronian Tribune - wow . . .
In Washington, DC, Diplomats matched wits with a series of speakers examining where media will be worldwide in the (near) future. Video, Pictures, and Stories can be found on the respective Founders and Diplomat pages. To not miss the action sign up for RSS feeds for all three main blogs.
The tour of National Public Radio began innocent enough with the Diplomats split into tour groups, listening to tour guides describe the reach and mission of NPR. Stopping at Studio A, the Fellows watched through a viewing portal. Inside Weekend Edition’s Scott Simon interview a cutting edge musician. Suddenly the program’s host waived the group into the studio and continued recording his segment. The fellows became the immediate audience treated to a romantic rendition by the guitarist and interaction with one of the nation’s most famous voices. After finishing the program Simon talked with the enthused group. The defining moment arrived when Simon shared memories of is time in war torn Sarajevo with Fellow’s from the region. He mentioned 
his novel, Pretty Birds, echoing his coverage of the siege of Sarajevo, struck that a fellow shared a character’s name, Irena.
Simon departed for New York following our stop, but took that time to send to the hotel, by taxi, four copies of his book for the “Balkan Girls.”
Addition coverage of The Washington Center speakers and NPR visit is posted in the Diplomat’s blog including an engaging hour + session with NPR’s President, Kevin Klose.
The Diplomats were welcomed at the US State Department for a special day of interacting with experts, foreign policy officers, and lively Darfur simulations. Be sure to check out the detailed reports and hundreds of pictures available on the Diplomat’s pages.
A Fellow’s Thought on European Unity is revealed in an Essay written by Daria, Romania. Her thought are worth your time.
The society hides deep in its core an ancestral desire of improvement, a desire which became a trend that nowadays is present more than ever, as we live in an era of breaking new grounds, an era that aims for one central goal: goodwill reflected in all aspects of the society. The common idea shared by the European countries was the frame for what we now call The European Union. This was the context created in order to bring countries to a consensus in terms of ideas, interests and policies while preserving the diversity and the values of individuality existing in the wide European spectrum of cultures. Due to the different historical backgrounds which influenced states in terms of birth and development, there is a Read More
The Diplomats took Philly by storm, beginning the day doing victory lap up the “Rocky” steps at the Institute of Art, followed by visits to Constitution Center and Independence Hall. Tim Hair of Washington DC traveled with the group elevating the groups appreciation for “All Men are Created Equal.” More on the Diplomats Blog and lots of photo as well (click diplomat/photo tab)
“I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday.”
W. C. Fields
