“Dear PoPville,
I drove by this afternoon and immediately flinched, given Trump’s expressed desire to turn a “wasteland” into some grotesque chessboard-like Madam Tausade-scale statue memorial to questionable and dishonorable figures from American history.
While that could still happen, absent a comprehensive change in House and Senate majorities, and a rediscovery of congressional oversight powers, I pulled over to speak with two NPS rangers who thought
the fencing had more to do with 7/4 fireworks staging.
They also mentioned that Trump wants to erect a viewing stand on the western slope of the Monument, which every dutiful Washingtonian knows is pretty much the best place to view the fireworks. After a day of picnicking and embibing, you simply lean back against the grade to take in the show.
In terms of desecration of spaces, this one hits hard.
Many high school, college and 20s memories forged on that slope.”