The Buzz | On Obama’s 50th, share your milestone

President Obama, left, and Nick Reck, a Senate intern, right. If being 50 in Washington equates to wisdom, experience and stature, what does it mean to be a 20-something intern? Share your aging story below.
(CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES; DAYNA SMITH/POST)
It’s your first internship. Your first campaign romance. Your year to finally set down some roots. Your first chance to work on something truly meaningful to you. Your family expanding. Your words, in the newspaper or law brief or bill. Your mentorship. Your retirement.

Your birthday.

President Obama turns 50 on Thursday, Aug. 4. In Washington, that’s an age that means wisdom, experience and stature. But with each milestone birthday celebrated in the shadow of the Capitol, Washingtonians can celebrate what they gain, whether that’s measured in political victories, personal growth or professional development. So what makes a milestone birthday especially meaningful in Washington?

Tell us your story of turning 20, 30, 40 or more in D.C.: What you’d do differently, and what you’ve learned since.

And because birthdays aren’t always the happiest of celebrations, vote on which decade is the worst to spend in D.C. Will it be the 50s for Obama? We’ll find out in 2012.

Share your stories after the jump.

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Florida turns to Facebook to catch poachers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) — Florida wildlife officials have turned to Facebook and other social media to catch poachers who display photos of their illegal catches.

“People go on Facebook bragging about their exploits. They think they’re protected,” Lt. George Wilson, who oversees the Internet Crimes Unit of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

An increase in the number of Internet-related calls prompted the commission to create the unit late last year.

Investigators, who sometimes create fake Facebook pages, rely on online photographs, videos and comments as evidence. The commission looks into about 10 complaints a week about people posting images of hunting and fishing out of season or breaking other wildlife laws, the Sun-Sentinel said.

The Internet Crimes Unit made 177 arrests and issued 92 warnings last year.

Tips often come from online friends, who receive a $100 reward for tips leading to misdemeanor convictions.

Tom Twyford, president of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, said he hopes wildlife investigators pursue more serious violations and show leniency in cases where people are unaware of the law.

“It’s easy to get confused,” Twyford said. “Florida’s laws are lengthy and complex.”

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