I'm
back from eight days in DC, attending two Road Scholar sessions: One
was on Intelligence and Spies and the other was on Foreign Service
diplomacy in currently conflicted areas. The first session was okay
but the second was superb! I was familiar with the material presented
in both sessions but really was hooked in the second one, for I had
visited most of the countries under discussion.
I should start with what Road Scholar is: for Seniors, it used to be called Elderhostel; they sponsor tours emphasizing learning about a subject or area. I did a Cambridge Spy bit with them in London, a trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon and several local sessions on Islam at a local mosque - formerly an H-P administrative building. RS does cycling trips, hiking tours and cruises. Most of the people at the DC sessions had traveled extensively with them. There were 32 attending the Spy talks and forty at the Foreign Service segments. About half a dozen of us were there for both sessions. RS put together the Intel sessions while the Foreign Service planned the diplomacy symposium.
The first series consisted of seven talks with five speakers combined with trips to the International Spy Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and National Cryptologic Museum. The final speaker, formerly an assistant director of the CIA, was by far the best: he not only discussed the Snowden controversy but reviewed developing technology. He was both knowledgeable and professional in his presentations. Others told of polygraph use, "Cold War" intelligence gathering, development of the CIA and woman's role in Espionage.
And the developing technology is really scary, say I who was hacked while in DC!
Moving on, the Foreign Service program started as the Spies attendees wandered off. There were twelve lectures covering general information about the Foreign Service, global terrorism, politics and conflict involving Saudi Arabia, Israel- Palestine, Iran, Turkey, Yemen, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Pakistan, India and Columbia. Additionally we visited the Foreign Service Institute where efforts were made to teach us Swahili, a tour down Embassy Row, a stop at the Turkish Embassy and lunch at DACOR Bacon House, an 18th Century home now owned by an association of diplomats. Two Frontline Television programs were shown: Yemen and ISIS.
I came out of these sessions being more aware than ever of the need to have intelligence, good intelligence, as a basis of any decision making. And to appreciate the intensive work involved in training US representatives. The caliber of speakers, including ambassadors, was awesome. The countries' histories were at their fingertips and made me appreciate some of the US's present activities. Past implusive actions led to destructive unintended consequences, eg: our foray into Iraq.
There was spare time We stayed in Upper Georgetown, near the Naval Observatory and Vice President's residence, so I did some wandering about in a very nice neighborhood. While I had been to the Spy Museum last time I was in Washington, I was interested by all the equipment augmented by an able docent's explanations at the Cryptologic Museum. The Cyber age is scary, say I who was hacked while in DC!
Accommodation:The hotel, Savoy Suites, was fine. Really large bedrooms and beds. I was solo for the first session but had a roommate for the second.
Food: Almost all meals were included. Nothing to write home about but acceptable. Ate out several times: I ended up with several others eating at Whole Foods one evening. And at a old time German restaurant during the second session.
Cost: Airfare was $$53 plus another $75 to change to an earlier flight to SFO. RD sessions: $890 and $1088 inclusive.
Overall: Glad I went. Met a some interesting people, particularly a retired Florida cop who was there for both sessions and really on top of the discussions. I like DC and enjoyed both the drives and walks about town. And really benefited from the sessions. All in all: worthwhile. And didn't fuss with a camera!
I should start with what Road Scholar is: for Seniors, it used to be called Elderhostel; they sponsor tours emphasizing learning about a subject or area. I did a Cambridge Spy bit with them in London, a trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon and several local sessions on Islam at a local mosque - formerly an H-P administrative building. RS does cycling trips, hiking tours and cruises. Most of the people at the DC sessions had traveled extensively with them. There were 32 attending the Spy talks and forty at the Foreign Service segments. About half a dozen of us were there for both sessions. RS put together the Intel sessions while the Foreign Service planned the diplomacy symposium.
The first series consisted of seven talks with five speakers combined with trips to the International Spy Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and National Cryptologic Museum. The final speaker, formerly an assistant director of the CIA, was by far the best: he not only discussed the Snowden controversy but reviewed developing technology. He was both knowledgeable and professional in his presentations. Others told of polygraph use, "Cold War" intelligence gathering, development of the CIA and woman's role in Espionage.
And the developing technology is really scary, say I who was hacked while in DC!
Moving on, the Foreign Service program started as the Spies attendees wandered off. There were twelve lectures covering general information about the Foreign Service, global terrorism, politics and conflict involving Saudi Arabia, Israel- Palestine, Iran, Turkey, Yemen, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Pakistan, India and Columbia. Additionally we visited the Foreign Service Institute where efforts were made to teach us Swahili, a tour down Embassy Row, a stop at the Turkish Embassy and lunch at DACOR Bacon House, an 18th Century home now owned by an association of diplomats. Two Frontline Television programs were shown: Yemen and ISIS.
I came out of these sessions being more aware than ever of the need to have intelligence, good intelligence, as a basis of any decision making. And to appreciate the intensive work involved in training US representatives. The caliber of speakers, including ambassadors, was awesome. The countries' histories were at their fingertips and made me appreciate some of the US's present activities. Past implusive actions led to destructive unintended consequences, eg: our foray into Iraq.
There was spare time We stayed in Upper Georgetown, near the Naval Observatory and Vice President's residence, so I did some wandering about in a very nice neighborhood. While I had been to the Spy Museum last time I was in Washington, I was interested by all the equipment augmented by an able docent's explanations at the Cryptologic Museum. The Cyber age is scary, say I who was hacked while in DC!
Accommodation:The hotel, Savoy Suites, was fine. Really large bedrooms and beds. I was solo for the first session but had a roommate for the second.
Food: Almost all meals were included. Nothing to write home about but acceptable. Ate out several times: I ended up with several others eating at Whole Foods one evening. And at a old time German restaurant during the second session.
Cost: Airfare was $$53 plus another $75 to change to an earlier flight to SFO. RD sessions: $890 and $1088 inclusive.
Overall: Glad I went. Met a some interesting people, particularly a retired Florida cop who was there for both sessions and really on top of the discussions. I like DC and enjoyed both the drives and walks about town. And really benefited from the sessions. All in all: worthwhile. And didn't fuss with a camera!
