Albany Museum Of Political Corruption Student Essay Contest Announced
Two years ago in this space, I interviewed Bruce Roter, the man behind the idea of creating an "Albany Museum of Political Corruption," mostly because I thought it was such a great (and amusing) idea. A museum with a "perpetual revolving door" in the Lobbyists Lobby? A self-guided "Follow The Money" tour? I know I'd go out of my way to visit such a museum! The museum's purpose would be to combine humor and history to teach children and adults some of the sordid tales of corruption from New York's past (of which there are many -- how many of us still recognize the name Boss Tweed, for instance?). This would be the first museum of its kind in the United States, and could eventually branch out to other state capitals that sorely need one (Baton Rouge, I am looking in your direction...), or even go national. Who wouldn't want to visit an American museum of political corruption on D.C.'s National Mall, after all?
In the intervening two years, College of Saint Rose professor Bruce Roter has made significant progress towards seeing his dream become a reality. He has secured a charter for his museum from the state, and is now in the process of filing paperwork registering as a non-profit (to assure that donations to the Museum of Political Corruption will be tax-deductible). And just yesterday, the M.P.C. announced its first-ever essay contest for high-school students, to answer the question: "What is political corruption and why should we care?"
"With this contest, the Museum of Political Corruption is taking this step onto the national stage to begin an important discussion on what constitutes political corruption and why we should care," said Roter, announcing the contest. "These are important questions that the M.P.C. will address. But before we do, consistent with our educational mission, we want to reach out to the next generation of voters and get them to think seriously about these issues, especially in advance of the 2016 elections."
The M.P.C. organization now boasts an impressive amount of talent, both on its Board of Trustees and its Board of Advisors, notably including 2014 New York gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout. Saint Peter's University political science professor Philip Mark Plotch had perhaps the most unique perspective on the need for the museum: "I teach my students that political scandals are a sign that the founding fathers successfully created a nation with strong checks and balances along with a flourishing free press. As long as human nature includes greed, envy, and a lust for power, there will be political scandals. When we stop hearing about them -- that's when we have to start worrying." Plotch also had some advice for students thinking about entering the contest: "Remember that adults are just like kids. They do stupid things, sometimes, when they don't expect to get caught."
Fellow board member Meave M. Tooher, who served eight years as Investigative Counsel for the New York State Ethics Commission and the Joint Commission on Public Integrity, had the following advice for students entering the contest: "I would encourage them to be brave and be creative. I think that youth has the ability to look at things from a fresh perspective that their lack of experience in the world actually enhances. Having not been too badly jaded by the negative impact of corruption, perhaps they can provide some fresh insights into the importance of corruption and its influence upon the next round of voters."
Zephyr Teachout, however, had the best personal story to relate. "I entered an essay contest when I was 15 years old, on the bicentennial of the Constitutional Convention," Teachout recounted. "It was a national contest, with every state entering, and I decided to enter. I was shocked when I heard I had won for New Hampshire!" As a result, Teachout got to travel to Washington and meet with Ronald Reagan and Warren Burger, and she also participated in a re-enactment of the Constitutional Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia. Teachout credits this as "the beginning of my own lifelong study of political corruption." Her advice to students? "I think it's fascinating to ask the question, and will really be interested to see what the kids write. I think this contest will spark curiosity and interest about the subject of political corruption among all who enter. You never expect to win these things, but sometimes you do."
The M.P.C. national essay contest is open to all U.S. high school students, and the rules and entry forms can be found on the Museum of Political Corruption website. Students have until November 2nd to send in their entry, a one-page essay which answers the question: "What is political corruption and why should we care?" And, lest I be accused of some sort of corruption of my own, I must fully disclose that while I have never received anything of value from the M.P.C. or Roter (although he did offer me a Commemorative Silver Edition Kickback™ at one point), this column is actually part of the first prize. The first-prize winner will not only receive $250 and a museum coffee mug, but their essay will be published on my own site, ChrisWeigant.com. The top three winning entries will be posted on the M.P.C. website as well. If the first contest goes well, Roter is considering making this an annual event, since it is so closely tied to the mission of the museum. As he put it: "By hosting this event, even before our facility is constructed, we're demonstrating that we're not waiting for the walls to come up on our museum. A museum is not defined by its walls, it's defined by it's mission. And our mission is to present information on corruption so that by knowing about the past we can forge a better government in the future."
At first glance, the Albany Museum of Political Corruption seems like an inside joke. There will be no entry fee, for instance -- instead you must offer up a bribe. A "Tammany Lecture Hall" is planned. However, the humor is just a hook to draw the public in, as evidenced by proposed interactive exhibits such as "Build your own political machine!" and "Creative Gerrymandering: redrawing New York's district lines to benefit YOU!" These, while humorous, would be valuable tools to educate the public about the scope of political corruption today (of which there is, sadly, still no shortage in the New York government). Getting the public interested in history is always a heavy lift, so making it fun will no doubt allow the information to reach a much wider audience. As Professor Plotch notes: "I have found that political scandals can be powerful teaching tools. Not only do they keep students on their edge of their seats, but they also reveal important lessons about power, institutions, justice, and ethics."
-- Chris Weigant
Cross-posted at The Huffington Post
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Threatcon'd, because word of this contest must spread wide and far.
A perpetual revolving door at the entrance sounds promising...but then the message gets muddled. A bit Disney, 7/8 scale, grandparent friendly.
Securing a charter???
Filing paperwork??
Non- profit? Oh dear.... Tax exempt?? Have these educators have no stomach for tax evasion? Tax havens? Tax mavons? Where is the thrill?????!!!!!!
The learning experience gets partially back on track with requiring a bribe to get past the perpetually revolving door, but only if there is a genuine shakedown. Otherwise, it smacks of mere fee for service, like going to the movies (mental note... 4 bucks for a small soda). Something like "Noice backpack pal...pity if somethin' shoid happen to it...oh, how clumsy of me." Don't worry about the edges of their seats, steal their li'l asses off! It's not a good ride if you still have your sunglasses in place when you get off.
The first-prize winner will not only receive $250 and a museum coffee mug, but their essay will be published on my own site, ChrisWeigant.com.
Now THAT is impressive!!
Congrats, CW.... :D
When's the contest end???
Michale
When's the contest end???
I just need to know when to get my submission in.. Heh
Michale
CW- "I know I'd go out of my way to visit such a museum!"
Yes, you would. It's in Albany! Which is 135 miles from NYC, more or less. About the same to Syracuse (Let's Go Orange, pop. 140K), 90 miles to Utica (pop. 60K), the only town it's really close is Schenectady (pop 66K). Note the trend.
This is former Stig territory, and well marked. It is a beautiful, but grim landscape sculpted by glaciers. You own a set of studded snow tires, mounted on a set of cheap steel wheels. Mounted on a beater car. You have tire chains in the trunk, plus space blankets, a come-along and at least 30 feet of webbing, shovel, 2 days water & rations, down bag, and cat litter for ballast and traction. Winter lasts 6 months. It's always cloudy. Summer is cool, short and rainy. Fall is glorious. Spring is a rumor around Easter. There is a tourist industry of sorts, mostly hunters and fishers. I'm pretty sure this region is the inspiration for The Hunger Games Franchise.
Strictly on the merits, Utica is really the logical home for the Museum. From WikiP:
"Utica's 20th-century political corruption and organized crime gave it the nicknames "Sin City", and later, "the city that God forgot."" That said, I understand the political clout of Albany will win out. In the form of a 30 Billion$ Fed funded 200 mph mag-lev train bringing in the tourists from NYC. Well played, Albany.
I checked out the official site, and it does look encouraging...but the museum shop should be titled "grift shop" or perhaps "grift store"
Hey CW
Hard to believe it's actually happening.
Who'd they pay off to get the charter approved?
Publishing the winning entry here is great, but I hope there's a way to read them all!
Stig- grift shop is gold
M- 3,4
Regrettably, "The Contest" is limited to high school students. I hope there is an adult division in future, perhaps amateur and professional subdivisions?
http://www.albanymuseumofpoliticalcorruption.org/
One other thing: I stumbled upon a film I think you would enjoy: "Under the Helmet." It's available on streaming Netflix. Every educator in the country should view it. Every management team.
Two points need mentioning that are politically newsworthy I believe.
1) Sen. Barbara Mikulski just became the 34th announced Senator to support President Obama's Iran deal. That means that no matter what happens now, the Iran deal will go through as Congress no longer has the votes to overcome a Presidential veto.
2.) Rick Perry just lost his last campaign staffer in New Hampshire. He now has no campaign organization left at all in that state. I think we can safely assume that Rick Perry will be the first to drop out on the Republican side. What do you think?
Regrettably, "The Contest" is limited to high school students. I hope there is an adult division in future, perhaps amateur and professional subdivisions?
Yea, I caught that after I posted..
Remember that episode of SPIN CITY?? Janitor wins elementary school contest??
"Let's meet him now. From public school 423 in Brooklyn, little Tommy Dugan."
"It's an honor, sir. You know, I could do without the "little" part. That doesn't exactly help with the ladies."
:D
One other thing: I stumbled upon a film I think you would enjoy: "Under the Helmet." It's available on streaming Netflix. Every educator in the country should view it. Every management team.
I'll check it out...
Michale
1) Sen. Barbara Mikulski just became the 34th announced Senator to support President Obama's Iran deal. That means that no matter what happens now, the Iran deal will go through as Congress no longer has the votes to overcome a Presidential veto.
Assuming things stay the same..
A lot can happen, a LOT can be revealed about the deal between now and then...
Michale
Things aren't going to stay the same, Michale. It's called progress, you know ...
Things aren't going to stay the same, Michale. It's called progress, you know ...
I was referring to the possibility of a Iran supported terrorist attack that kills hundreds of innocent Israelis or, worse (for the deal at least) hundreds of innocent Americans...
If that were to occur NO ONE in Congress would support Obama's kiss-kiss with Iran...
Michale
Rather than go off on a tangent here and detract from the wonderful idea of the Albany Museum of Political Corruption, why not take this discussion here:
http://www.chrisweigant.com/2015/08/28/ftp359/#comment-63507
Just a thought....
Michale
Can you get me a "I went to the Albany Museum of Political Corruption and I had to pay for this lousy t-shirt twice" t-shirt when you go CW?
Thanks
A