TakeYourMedicine

Taxation Without Representation—what’s more un-American than that? It’s enough to get tea dumped in harbors. It’s actually on DC license plates here, and I wonder how advocates ever pushed it through. Of course, there are a few Celebrate and Enjoy DC plates on very late model Cadillacs, but Tax w/o Rep is much more standard. All these uppity Democrats trying to get a voice. Folks in DC pay federal taxes and then have no say in how much the District will get, nor how what they do get will be spent. Stickers calling attention to this are common on trash cans in the neighborhoods, but not down in the Capitol area. The sign says DC Ballot Box: Your Votes Go Here!

Shopworn Communism—We saw this chipped Lenin on the front of a building that didn’t look as if it had been rented lately. Still nice to see an old image powering the people. I want to say to the politicians: remember the people?

Rule of Law?!?--I met the gentleman down in front of the Justice Building. He’s been there for over some time, trying to get some action on what he says are his share of profits from his patents. He had a row of red-lettered boards stating his case, topped with American flags, and bagpipes blasted from a little boombox.

His grievances weren’t always coherent to the casual observer, but his passion was heartfelt. Along with the patents was something about his sister’s kidney and Mother Theresa and her successor. He wanted to give them the millions in income that his patents had generated. Ashcroft wasn’t interested; neither was Little Al. I don't think that the new guy will be, either. Remember--it all starts at the top.

Me, I like a series of red-lettered billboard that uses at least one “turdhead” on them.

Power Pets Only, Pleeze--Not far from the Justice Building is the Commerce Department, which seems to have influenced the selection of entertainment at the National Aquarium next door. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium of my homeland, we gather to watch the feeding of the sea otters. I guess so close to K Street, an emphasis on sharks, piranhas, and alligators was inevitable. What do they feed them? Visitors' poodles? Eeeek. Better to save the otters for Cute with Chris. These are certainly not kinder nor gentler times.

So that’s my little slice of DC. The people were lovely, especially in the neighborhoods, the sights singular.

I miss y’already.

# posted by Lulu Maude @ 4:53 PM