(Hi Gawker!)

Little known fact: Barack Obama attended Columbia University, the very same one that you do! While he was here, he wrote a thesis entitled Soviet Nuclear Disarmament, which is not actually a "thesis" (but more on that later). Anyway, the journalists have been trying to get their hands on the Lost Thesis but haven't been able to find it, and even Barack Obama himself claims he doesn't have it.

Now the scholarly treasure hunters have turned to Obama's old professor Michael Baron, who now lives in Florida and runs a digital media business. It was in Baron's American Foreign Policy honors seminar that Obama wrote the Lost "Thesis." According to the professor, Obama was "one of the top one or two students in class."

One astute, politically-inclined tipster sent Bwog a list of all the candidates for New York's City Council, pointing out that one of which is former University Senator Marcus Johnson, CC '07 and table-dancer extraordinaire. Johnson is running for a City Council seat in District 12, which is located in the North Bronx. The seat's open, as current City Councilman Larry Seabrook is on his second term and ineligible for re-election.

Johnson is up against Andy King, the developer of Uptown Developer's Corporation and Cheryl Simmons Oliver, the District Director for Jose Serrano, a council member congressman from the Bronx's 16th district.

Best of luck Marcus! (We love you, but you might want to update your website).

Not even a fortnight since Eliot Spitzer's resignation, problems with New York's newest governor, David Paterson (CC '77), have already surfaced. The New York Daily News is reporting that Paterson had used campaign funds to purchase clothing, bar tabs, and hotel stays at a Quality Inn on the Upper West Side (at which to carry on extramarital affairs, naturally).

He also apparently gave one of his girlfriends $500 in July 2002, but his aides were later quoted as saying that he "misstated" that he had done that. Paterson explains that one of his girlfriends, Lila Kirton, had attended a campaign event, and therefore the $500 he used to reimburse her was a "professional" expense.

Paterson maintains that he paid back these expenses (well, most of them). However, this doesn't change the fact that politicians aren't allowed to use campaign money for non-campaign-related expenses.

If Paterson is forced to resign, next in line for the governorship is Eliot Spitzer-mortal-enemy Joseph Bruno, the New York State Senate Majority Leader.

Yesterday, Bwog expressed excitement that David Paterson--the black, legally blind, Columbia '77 grad--will probably be sworn-in as New York state Governor within a day or two.

Which is all well and good, except Radar is reporting he has some (less adulterous) legal troubles of his own. Seems Paterson is currently being sued by a former white employee for discrimination after Paterson, according to the employee, fired him because of his race.

Paterson, of course, is literally colorblind. And pretty much regular blind, too. Bwog's no legal expert, but this seems like a pretty good defense should this ever go to trial.

Sort of.

First the backstory: The New York Times is reporting that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been recorded meeting up with a prostitute thanks to a federal wiretap. (Hat tip Patriot Act?)

While Spitzer hasn't resigned (yet), if (read: when) he does, he'll be replaced by David Paterson, CC '77, making Paterson New York's first black governor. Some background on Paterson: he's the first black Lieutenant Governor of New York and he's legally blind. And, by all appearances, he's on SIPA's faculty.

Statement from the Columbia Dems forthcoming after the jump.

The New York Times' Election Guide 2008 is a handy tool for figuring out the political affiliations of tight-lipped professors, distant cousins, and friends. Entering in a zip code will yield a listing of all the political donors in that area, including to whom that money was donated and how much. Here are some Columbia names:

Name, Affiliation: Dollar Amount, Candidate
Hillary Ballon, CU: $2,300, Barack Obama
Jean M. Bollinger (yes PrezBo's wife): $500, Hillary Clinton
John Coatsworth, SIPA interim dean $1000, Chris Dodd
(Coatsworth's wife has given $450 to Obama)
Deborah Coen, Barnard: $350, Hillary Clinton
Edward Coffman, CU: $150, Barack Obama
Jonathan Cole, CU (Former University Provost): $1000, Hillary Clinton
Geraldine Downey, CU (V. Provost for Diversity Initiatives): $2000, Hillary Clinton
David Epstein, CU (Political Science): $250, Hillary Clinton
Bruce Greenwald, Business School: $2300, Mitt Romney
Lance Liebman, Law School: $250, Joe Biden
Thomas Pogge, CU (Political Science): $300, Barack Obama
Leo Spitzer, CU (History): $350, John Edwards
Joseph Stiglitz, Business School: $2300, Barack Obama
Tim Wu, Law School: $500, Hillary Clinton
Richard Bulliet, CU (History): $4600, HIllary Clinton
Maxine Griffith, Executive VP for Government and Community Affairs: $250, Hillary Clinton
M. Dianne Murphy, Athletics Director: $2250, Hillary Clinton
Judith Shapiro, Barnard President: $1000, Hillary Clinton
David Weiman, CU (Economics): $258, Barack Obama
Priscilla Ferguson, CU (Sociology): $856, John Edwards

For the full list of all Columbia employee donors, just search for yourself. Click "more search options" then scroll to "employer" and enter "Columbia University." Thanks to Julia Kalow for the tip.

Bwog, having watched the progress of the Iowa caucus from its comfy couch for the last week, decided to check in with a few Columbians spending their vacations stumping the Hawkeye state for their candidates of choice. Considering it's - 4 degrees outside, you'd have to be insane, or, well...insane. One note: those featured are all working for Democrats. For this, we apologize. If you know any Columbia Republicans slaving away on campaigns, please let us know.

With less than 24 hours to go, Iowa is buzzing! It seems as though the major focus, not just for the Hillary campaign but for all of the campaigns, is to make sure our supporters show up. Only 6% of Iowans caucus and as a result, we are attempting to reach every single supporter either on their door or on their phone before tomorrow at 6:30 to implore them to show up. I have spent a great deal of time over the past week with voters and crossing the state and you can feel the energy--Iowans are excited! What I also find remarkable is the seriousness with which they take their role as the first state and their historic mission of caucusing. Earlier in the week when we were on the doors attempting to sway the undecided it was apparent that Iowans know their stuff! They follow these campaigns very closely and are more than willing to talk about what they observe. For example, many people, even those who were firmly supporting another candidate, would invite you in to talk politics for 10 minutes, which was very refreshing to hear! As the excitement builds, I am eager and anxious for tomorrow!

In the interest of keeping tabs: we missed the news from last Tuesday, but because most of you have been in holes for the whole week anyway, it's worth re-mentioning that Minutemen founder and Columbia bogeyman Jim Gilchrist (who is now being gender-neutral!) has endorsed GOP golden boy Mike Huckabee for president. Apparently, Gilchrist's support shows that Huckabee won't be soft on immigration.

Just like people with AIDS.

- LBD

Finally! Joseph Ratzinger, better known as Pope Benedict XVI, made the announcement today: Archbishop John P. Foley, Journalism '66, will be one of 23 new cardinals in November. According to the International Herald Tribune, Foley had "long been considered a candidate" for the job. At the fresh young age of 72, he's eligible to vote for pope for the next eight years.

Foley had been known for his work in Pope John Paul II's Communications Department (well, technically it's a pontifical council), and is currently serving as Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Not the most progressive bishop, Foley has run into trouble for his comments on the ordination of women (against) and AIDS (a "natural sanction for certain types of activities.") On the other hand, he did make technological progress: Alvin Snyder called him "The Roone Arledge of the Vatican" for his work getting the Pope on TV.

But enough about Foley as a pilate. What manner of man is he? Contrary to Columbia tradition, Foley says he's a teetotaler, but makes up for his avoidance of alcohol with his love of chocohol. As he told Nestle executives, he's an avid fan of advertisement, saying that good advertisement is "among the best communication being done in the world today." As a youth, he was inspired by the book You Can Change the World, and as a teenager, enjoyed writing radio plays. Today, he has more of a senior pastime: getting up at 6:00 in the morning to watch CNN (so that he can "know what to pray about.")

- DHI

Columbia grad ('07) and Hilary Duff look-a-like Meghan McCain has launched a blog chronicling her dad's (Arizona Sen. John McCain) presidential campaign. Meghan, along with someone named La-Toria Haven whom Meghan calls a "political fashionista", and Mary Anne Huntsman (Utah Gov. John Huntsman's daughter), are "traveling on the road with Senator McCain's campaign and [blogging] about our experiences along the way."

Meghan's blog certainly stands out from run-of-the-mill campaign coverage. For instance, in the graphics! Like the sassy, high-heeled silhouette clutching a lap top a la Carrie Bradshaw. Nothing says "Washington insider" like a red stiletto! And her ability to use art theory to draw insights about trends within the GOP:

"Both events were devoid of the usual mahogany associated with a political soiree. Sleek, clean lines featuring bold colors — retro-orange w/chrome furniture...As our (event) interiors evolve, so do our perspectives."

But Meghan inarguably has unparalleled proximity to Senator McCain—insider information like "My dad has a gold razr phone" and "My Dad's speech was peppered with an abundance of standup comedy. He was having way too much fun cracking jokes at my expense, showing off his '$150,000 screensaver' on his cellphone which has a picture of us at my Columbia graduation on it!"

Oh Meghan stop, you're making us blush.

Bet Barack Obama's thanking his lucky stars that his kids, unlike Caroline, are still too young to embarrass him!

Free food, free beer, and political pep talks. The Bwog got a summer job working for the New York City Council, and is squeezing it for all it's worth.

A couple of Columbia alumnae are planning a fundraiser for Councilman Eric Gioia, who is running for New York Public Advocate. It's at Water Taxi Beach, a dance venue by night and a beach-with-bar by day. You can wriggle your toes in the finest imported white sand, take in the view of Manhattan, and consider whether to make a contribution.

5-8pm, Wednesday, July 11th.

Directions:
Subway: take the 7 train to Vernon/Jackson and walk on 50th Avenue towards Manhattan. Turn left onto 2nd Street and continue to Borden Avenue, even with the Waterfront Crabhouse. Turn right towards the waterfront, and you are there.
Water taxi: find the pier on the East River at 34th Street, and catch a water taxi at 4:47, 5:39, or 6:32.

RSVP (to make sure there will be enough freebies) to:
misslindseysummers@gmail.com

DC on a Sunday is about as exciting as Butler on a Thursday. So with press pass in hand, Bwog contributor Armin Rosen attempted to stave off the ennui the only way Washingtonians know how: with a couple strong shots of special interest politics.

My first thought upon arriving at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference's first plenary session: should I feel inspired at being in a football-field sized room with more Jews than I've ever seen in one place in my entire life, or disgusted that we were watching a panel moderated by a former higher-up in the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq? Failing to reconcile the two, I condemn them to a queasy coexistence, made worse when the panel, which included former CIA director James Woolsey expounded upon the existential threats posed to the Jewish state by various Islamist entities. Six humungous jumbotrons behind him shuffle through images of a maniacal-looking Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and an impotent-looking Syrian president Bashir al-Assad. Israel advocacy is a high-stakes business, they beam at me.

How sinister is this scaremongering? I'm willing to write off Woolsey's claim that preventing Iran from getting nukes is a "job for American diplomacy and the American military" as a convenient (albeit wildly irresponsible) turn of phrase, since packaging trumps substance at any "policy" conference like this one. The AIPAC conference seeks to prove that the American-Israeli alliance is worth defending. Saber-rattling aside, beginning the conference on a bleak, pessimistic, existential note sells that idea brilliantly. Manipulative? Sure. Alarmist? Probably. On point? In this blogger's opinion, you better believe it.

Strike on Low at 12pm. Some profs cancel class to allow students to exercise consciences, won't be disciplined

"But I'm just not sure If I want to go, It's quite freezing outside and I do eat lunch at 12"- more idealized concerns about attending addressed here

Steal this edition! anti-war movements --> more war --> more death ahh!!!

And then there's that whole divestment thing

Alma Mater (translated "nourishing mother"): Columbia's purpose is "the advancement of the public good and the glory of almighty God"

Note: Eye is M.I.A., 'poke will be up later. -JDC

Constantino Diaz-Duran, GS '09, alerted us to a rally at the Egyptian Consulate (2nd Avenue between E. 58th and E. 59th) in support of Kareem Amer. Amer is a 22-year-old college student who has been imprisoned for criticizing the government in his blog. He is currently facing up to nine years in prison and is being kept in solitary confinement, and his sentence will be handed down on Thursday. Diaz-Duran can be reached at constantino@c-dd.com. The rally will take place in front of the Consulate this Wednesday at 3:30 PM. Go support free speech and make PrezBo proud.

On the same political note, the 1954 animated version of "Animal Farm" is being screened in 1219 IAB tonight at 6:30, with an introduction by Political Science Professor Timothy Frye. No word on any upcoming screenings of the 1973 animated version of "Charlotte's Web," starring Debbie Reynolds and Paul Lynde.

Bwog would be covering the State of the Union, but we decided to outsource it to the Dems and watch Veronica Mars instead. Meanwhile, political junkies watch it in the Lerner Piano Lounge. It's jointly sponsored by the Dems and the Republicans--stand, applaud, sit, repeat!

- LBD