Military and civilian National Service. Well hear from americorps members. This has been a fabulous day. I want to thank barbara who walked in. I agree we have saved the best for last. No question. Whenever i do a Service Event i say we have to hear from young people who are serving or have served because they understand what its about because its at the ground level. Im so excited about this panel. I want to thank my friend bill for his overthetop comments. I had the privilege of starting the program, but it wasnt me. I did it with my best friend and college roommate, Michael Brown and others. It was a small group of thoughtful dedicated people. What made it work, it wasnt me or michael, it was people when they experienced this, loved this idea. I am honored to be here. Its like a Family Reunion for me with Service Legends and giants, my brother john bridgeland who i worked closely with for 20 years, thanks to bridge and george w. Bush they got the largest increase in ameri corp. Ever
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im john allen, the president of brookings and on behalf of the institution and our partners at Service Year Alliance, i want to welcome you all to this important event today. I want to welcome those coming in over the webcast and of course we always welcome the media. This morning youll be hearing from a distinguished group of leaders and volunteers on the matter of National Service. Let me make a few brief comments to begin with. In such divided and turbulent times, we must look for ways to bridge society, to bridge the divides and to restore a sense of community. In recent years, much has been done, sadly, to burn rather than to build the bridges in our civic nation leading to a growing culture of fear and distrust, incivility, and a reflex to retreat into the safety of tribalism. Our trusted institutions and our trust in each other has taken a beating and has in fact declined and that decline makes it harder for us to solve some of the key problem
Folks have been conversations, if you can take them into the hall, please. This has been a fabulous day. I want to thank barbara who walked in. I agree we have saved the best for last. No question. Whenever i do a Service Event i say we have to hear from young people who are serving or have served because they understand what its about because its at the ground level. Im so excited about this panel. I want to thank my friend bill for his overthetop comments. I had the privilege of starting the program, but it wasnt me. I did it with my best friend and college roommate, Michael Brown and others. It was a small group of thoughtful dedicated people. What made it work, it wasnt me or michael, it was people when they experienced this, loved this idea. I am honored to be here. Its like a Family Reunion for me with Service Legends and giants, my brother john bridgeland who i worked closely with for 20 years, thanks to bridge and george w. Bush they got the largest increase in ameri corp. Ever
Civilian National Service programs. This was hosted by the Brookings Institution. It is one hour and 10 minutes. John good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im john allen, the president of brookings and on behalf of the institution and our partners at Service Year Alliance, i want to welcome you all to this important event today. I want to welcome those coming in over the webcast and of course we always welcome the media. This morning youll be hearing from a distinguished group of leaders and volunteers on the matter of National Service. Let me make a few brief comments to begin with. In such divided and turbulent times, we must look for ways to bridge society, to bridge the divides and to restore a sense of community. In recent years, much has been done, sadly, to burn rather than to build the bridges in our civic nation, leading to a growing culture of fear and distrust, incivility, and a reflex to retreat into the safety of tribalism. Our trusted institutions and our trust in each othe
Before we get to the meeting. Please make sure your cell phones are turned off or at least in silent mode and that places smart phones and any other Electronic Device that might make an annoying noise while having our discussion. We will have a q a portion as we get close to the end and when that goes down ill ask folks to wait to be called upon and wait for the microphone so everyone has an opportunity to hear you and ill ask you to not to name and affiliation. Our topic today is this particular absolutely fascinating and terrifying book, eyes in the sky, i have to point out, the little digital version of what im calling the eye from lord of the rings which i think its apt in what were going to be discussing today. Six years ago this month it in a say contractor whistleblower named edward burst upon the world scene with his absolutely amazing resolutions about mass surveillance taking place during the socalled war on terror. And of course there was literally dozens if not hundreds of