Day number 2 began the same as number 1, but the lectures were much different.  They began with a bang, as Special Agent David J. O’Connor of the Secret Service.  His stories and clarifications offered great and previously unheard of, at least to me, behind the scenes insight into what the Secret Service is like.  Also, what goes into the planning of the inauguration and the festivities that go along with it.  The questions asked of the special agent were quite disappointing and immature.  Next, was Marc Pachter of the National Portrait Gallery.  His talk on the image of the president and its impact seemed very interesting, but had the ability to put much of the audience to sleep.  The lack of excitement in his presentation severly disappointed me, as his field is very interesting to me as I move on looking for a career.  Last of the three, was Common Ground with Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel.   They were by far the best of the day, and saved us from our half slumbers.  Their message of bipartisanship  was extremely refreshing and what Obama is trying to accomplish, and what is needed in our country today.

The meeting with NORML was quite eye-opening.  The staff and administrators there broke away somewhat from the typical stereotypes, but the office did not.  The director gave great information about marijuana and its decriminalization.  His point was extremely poignant, but coming from him it did lose some credibility.  If the same information came froma more neutral person on the subject, it would be more powerful and easier to digest.