Ann Coulter Speaks to GW Amid Controversy

Famed conservative political and social commentator Ann Coulter, best known for her outspoken conservatism and frequent political incorrectness, visited George Washington University Wednesday where she spoke in Funger Hall at the invitation of the GW Young America’s Foundation and GW College Republicans. The crowd, which failed to fill the lecture hall, consisted primarily of members of the College Republicans and Young America’s Foundation.

Coulter began by addressing the issue of raising taxes on the wealthy.  Stating that the effects of tax increases are counter-productive and actually lead to decreases in government net revenue, she further declared that Democrats in the U.S. Congress and President Obama support raising taxes on the wealthy not for the benefit of the poor, but to for the sole benefit of the U.S. government.

After her early statements regarding fiscal policy, however, Coulter’s remarks quickly became controversial. Combining a series jokes with more serious remarks, Coulter drew laughter from the audience as she addressed topics ranging from health care reform to foreign policy.

On the issue of U.S. health care policy, Coulter noted that President Obama “is a moderate-in Kenya,” further claiming that the U.S. government “can’t keep Mexicans out of Laredo, but it can keep a State farm agent out of Ohio."

Libyan Ambassador Ali Aujali Speaks at GW Amid Controversy

Libyan Ambassador Ali Aujali spoke Monday at the Jack Morton Auditorium in the School of Media and Public Affairs. The moderately successful event was held by the International Affairs Society and open to the public. Mr. Aujali, who has been in the news since defecting from the Gaddhafi regime in February, stressed the desire of the Libyan people to live in freedom and peace, and explained his reasons for defecting from the regime in order to better serve the Libyan people. He further implored audience members to stand alongside the Libyan people through the crisis happening there now. His talk was cut short, however, at the behest of President Obama, whose administration just hours before the event was scheduled invited Mr. Aujali to attend a speech given by the President in Arlington Monday.

The event was moved forward, with Mr. Aujali abruptly exiting after his speech and having to cancel his participation in a Question and Answer session afterwards as well as a reception.

"Big Night, Big Jobs" DC Chefs Event

Four famous chefs from Washington came to the Jack Morton Auditorium in the School of Media and Public Affairs building Tuesday to discuss an array of issues ranging from sustainable healthy eating and the “Buy Local” food movement to planning menus and satisfying customer demands.

Attending the discussion were the famed José Andrés, the chef and owner of Washington’s Café Atlántico, Minibar by José Andrés, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, The Bazaar, José Andrés Catering with Ridgewells, China Poblano and é by José Andrés.; Todd Gray, the chef and owner of Equinox Restaurant and Todd Gray’s Watershed; Spike Mendelsohn, the chef and owner of Good Stuff Eatery and We, The Pizza; and Nora Pouillon, the chef and owner of Restaurant Nora, and a long-term advocate of healthy eating and local food sourcing. The discussion was moderated by Wahsington Post food columnist and independent food writer Jane Black.

The chefs discussed environmental and health issues pertaining to food production. The general consensus was that all things, including meat, should simply be taken in moderation. Chef Andrés noted that Americans should be eating less meat, but of a higher quality.

GW Students Host Prestigious Chinese Delegation

The George Washington University chapter of Global China Connection hosted a delegation of student leaders from Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University, widely considered to be one of China’s top universities last weekend.  The 13-member delegation, including the Secretary General of the Graduate Union of Tsinghua University, current and former presidents and vice presidents of the Tsinghua Graduate Union and Tsinghua Student Union, and other Student Union ministers, arrived at Union Station last Saturday night, February  12 after touring New York and Boston for the preceding week. They were met by the Executive Board of GWU Global China Connection, who escorted them back to the Marvin Center where a meeting was held to introduce the delegates to their student hosts for the weekend. 

The delegates were housed by volunteer members of Global China Connection for two nights in student dorms and apartments. The following Sunday the Executive Board accompanied the Tsinghua delegation on a tour of sites of interest in Washington, DC, going to the Supreme Court, the Capitol, stopping at the American Indian Museum for a Native American lunch, before continuing on to the Air and Space Museum,  American History Museum, Washington Monument, and White House. 

That night, Global China Connection and the Organization for Asian Studies jointly hosted a reception in honor of the Tsinghua delegation in the Lindner Family Commons Room at the Elliott School. The reception was open to the entire student body and the general public. Among those in attendance were a delegation from the Chinese embassy lead by Counselor Wang, Director of Public Relations; Tsinghua University professor Wang Lei,  George Washington  Professor David Dickson, leaders from other George Washington student organizations, such as Behnam Tabelu, president of the International Affairs Society; and several U.S. government officials, area Chinese residents, and students.