…fabulous! I’ll update this post tomorrow with highlights and photos.
Update (8/2): (Left to right: Scott Johnson, Alex Mooney, and Mark Tapscott)
Mark Tapscott, Scott Johnson, and I were invited to Young America’s Foundation’s 27th Annual National Conservative Student Conference to discuss how blogging is changing America, moderated by Alex Mooney.
Mark is a journalist and blogger, and he talked about how fortunate we are to have such an effective, affordable-to-the-masses, new medium like blogs. He believes blogs can have a similar impact on government as they’re having on politics and mainstream media. I met Mark at BlogNashville, had lunch with him a month ago here in DC, and was very glad to see him again yesterday. He’s the Director for the Center for Media and Public Policy at the Heritage Foundation, and I suggest you check his blog frequently to find out what he’s up to.
Scott is a lawyer and Power Line blogger, and he talked about the biggest blog story of the year: Rathergate. Scott authored The Sixty-First Minute, the post that started it all. We were allotted only 10 minutes for our introductions, but I and everyone else were left wanting to hear more about the evolution of the scandal that left an ugly mark on CBS. Power Line was named TIME magazine’s Blog of the Year.
I gave a brief bio, how and why I started blogging, and what blogging has done for me. I mentioned my business, the power of blogs, how easy it is to start, etc. Political Teen has the video of all three mini-speeches. The Q&A was the most interesting part, but I don’t know if CSPAN has posted a link.
I arrived about an hour before the presentation, saw Scott, and recognized him right away. Power Line is such a popular, powerful, and influential blog, I didn’t know what to expect. Would he be aloof? Formal? Fun? I extended my hand to shake his.
And he gave me a big hug. 
Forgive the base response but it’s so refreshing to see your brown, female face in that crowd.
Comment by Mark La Roi — 08.02.05 @ 2:01 pm
Awe. I’m so happy to hear he hugged you… Warm moments in paradise.
Comment by Baklava — 08.02.05 @ 2:14 pm
VERY proud of you!!! And of course a hearty YOU GO GUUURL!!!!!
I am going to write Oprah and make sure you get invited to the next “Legends Lunch.” LOL!!!
Comment by Raymond — 08.02.05 @ 2:36 pm
We need to gitcho smart, cute self married off child.
Comment by Raymond — 08.02.05 @ 2:37 pm
Fabulous! You are an inspiration!
Comment by scmommy — 08.02.05 @ 2:47 pm
I caught you on CSPAN-2 just randomly during the Q&A session and absolutely loved it!
When I tuned in, the first student I saw was “Lucille Cress” (sp?) of the University of Arizona. So far I only know of three (maybe four) right-of-center UA bloggers, so I’ve been trying to find her ever since. Would anyone here know?
Comment by Garrett O'Hara — 08.02.05 @ 3:05 pm
I don’t usually read PowerLine. How did it become so popular?
Comment by mj — 08.02.05 @ 4:36 pm
Partly because they covered a hot local race (Minnesota - the late Senator Wellstone), and the posts were picked up by Hugh Hewitt and mentioned on his radio show. A combination of things like that helped a lot.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.02.05 @ 4:40 pm
La Shawn what Instant Messenging program?
Comment by Ian — 08.02.05 @ 5:30 pm
Yahoo!
Comment by La Shawn — 08.02.05 @ 5:36 pm
It all sounds so great. I wish I had been there.
I especially like the phrase:
‘effective, affordable-to-the-masses, new medium’
I guess that I am showing my age, but I remember when local access TV was suppose to make a difference. It didn’t. And the main reason I think is because it wasn’t that readily available like Blogging is. In many communities you don’t even need your own computer as long as your local library has some sort of access.
Now that’s REAL power to the people!
Comment by Charles — 08.02.05 @ 5:47 pm
Charles has a great point. Moreover, not everybody has TV production skills, but anybody can click on a blog template and get started.
Comment by Garrett O'Hara — 08.02.05 @ 7:29 pm
Totally awesome.
Comment by Sissy Willis — 08.02.05 @ 8:05 pm
How cool. Congrats La Shawn. But personally, I prefer yours to Powerline because they don’t allow comments.
Comment by NYgirl — 08.02.05 @ 8:23 pm
Hi LaShawn
To borrow a (worn out?) ad saying: “You’ve come a long way baby.”
I began reading you awhile ago on a intermittent basis. Those seeds you have planted are blooming very nicely. I see you believe in the old adage to that you are who you hang out with. Powerline is one of my favorite daily’s and I read the post of your being on C-Span. I just d/l’d the vid. Going to watch it later.
I saw this post on the least liked conservatives too. Some I was surprised others not. I was a little taken aback on your listing President Bush. He has done a terrific job for this country. I trust that he is being lead by the Spirit and lets face it–it just ain’t easy being the Leader of the Free World. I know the border issue is very important to a lot of people. And I think that after all the unfair flack he took from this 9-11 report and the attack that he did nothing for 8 months when he took office and then had 9-11 blamed on him!
I would think that, considering how its necessary that he make the best decisions he can and keep our country safe, the border issue has to be right up there on his top 5 list. He has to know what he’s doing despite all the negative attacks that are being made to the point of hysteria that the Mexico border issue is another 9-11 just waiting to happen. I have been very concerned too. Fortunately as best as can be determined, there has not been any leaks of terrorists coming in. But only time is going to tell. We have been very blessed and fortunate to have had a President like him “for a time such as this.” I hope you might consider giving him some ‘reconsidered grace’ and place him on your “Favorites” list. Can we all be so perfect as to getting everything right we do?
Congratulations on all your hard work and for coming along as you have. Your example needs to be seen and heard by the youth throughout this country. There is always hope and success when you are passionate about your purpose.
God Richly Bless You,
AUSPatriotman
Comment by AUSPATRIOTMAN — 08.02.05 @ 9:40 pm
[And he gave me a big hug.]
Why wouldn’t he?…
Cheers,
Comment by Moze — 08.03.05 @ 1:38 am
Congratulations - sounds like a great event!!
Comment by Mike Marden — 08.03.05 @ 2:26 am
#12
I resemble that remark!
Comment by SCSIwuzzy — 08.03.05 @ 9:30 am
I was working from home on Monday and came across the panel discussion. I was familiar with Powerline but had never heard of you before. I’m sorry it took me so long to find you!
I’m another DC-local and supporter of Michael Graham.
Keep up the good work!
Comment by KC — 08.03.05 @ 1:24 pm
Thanks, KC. Stick around because things can get interesting around here.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.03.05 @ 1:44 pm
They sure can…and we love it :). You should get AIM or MSN…never tried Yahoo.
The Powerline story sure is amazing, isn’t it?
Comment by Agent Tim — 08.03.05 @ 2:53 pm
Bloggers at Young America’s Foundation Convention
TBSC contributor Mark Tapscott was recently at the Young America's Foundation Convention as part of a panel discussion on blogs and their potential to bring about societal and political change. Mark was accompanied by La Shawn Barber an…
Trackback by The Blue State Conservatives — 08.03.05 @ 11:21 pm