Politics

“Norton Vows to Fight Bureau of Land Management Sabotage”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today vowed to fight the Trump administration’s plans to move more than a fifth of the employees of the Bureau of Land Management out of the National Capital Region.  The Washington Post reports that roughly 300 employees would be impacted by the proposed move.  This decision comes as the administration attempts to illegally move two offices in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Kansas City.  Norton successfully included provisions in fiscal year 2020 House spending bills to block USDA from moving to Kansas City. (more…)

Gallup Poll Report: “Americans Reject D.C. Statehood”

By Prince Of Petworth

Brutal. From a Gallup news report:

“Americans are much more likely to oppose (64%) than to favor (29%) making Washington, D.C., a separate state. These results are consistent with past polling on the topic by other firms, which also found majorities opposed to the idea.

Although D.C. residents want their city to become the 51st state, their fellow Americans disagree. In fact, Americans have consistently opposed D.C. statehood in polling over the past three decades. The issue has become politicized, given that adding D.C. as a state would practically guarantee increased Democratic representation in Congress. As such, a D.C. statehood proposal is unlikely to pass unless there were a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, a filibuster-proof Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic president.”

Read the full report by Jeffrey M. Jones here.

View complete question responses and trends.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

“I am not sure I understand why DC is not hosting the parade for the US Women’s National Soccer team.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Nathan Stewart

“Dear PoPville,

I am not sure I understand why DC is not hosting the parade for the US Women’s National Soccer team. We have a great team the Washington Spirit, one of its players is on the National team. DC is the Nation’s capitol. Sponsors like Audi would help fund it. Why are we punting in this, and giving this up to NYC?”

On the other hand from Five Thirty Eight:

“A ticker-tape parade through lower Manhattan is pretty much the quintessential homecoming for American heroes. So it’s fitting that the conquering U.S. women’s soccer team — which won the World Cup on Sunday — will get its second parade in four years down New York City’s “Canyon of Heroes” on Wednesday morning. That’s an appropriate honor after one of the most dominating performances we’ve ever seen in all of sports history.”

“Councilmember Grosso calls on Councilmember Evans to resign from the Council”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

From Councilmember Grosso’s office (yesterday):

“The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso regarding Councilmember Evans’ latest dishonesty to the Council about the nature of his relationship with lobbyist Bill Jarvis:

“Tomorrow, the Council will consider resolutions to remove Councilmember Jack Evans as chairperson of the Finance and Revenue Committee and hire a law firm to conduct an investigation into his potential violations of the Council’s Code of Conduct. While I appreciate that the Council is finally acting to take Councilmember Evans’ misconduct seriously, it is frustrating that it has taken us this long to act to protect the Council’s reputation and hold our colleague accountable.

“Regardless of the actions we take tomorrow, given new revelations over the weekend of Councilmember Evans’ dishonesty, I believe the public trust in Councilmember Evans is irreparable and it is in the best interest of the Council and the residents of the District of Columbia that Jack Evans resign as the Ward 2 Councilmember. Short of that, I will be offering an amendment that would also remove him from all committees until the conclusion of this investigation. (more…)

Tally-ho! and Ta-ta

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ramsey for sending around 8am: “It looks like they are making a left on 11th St SE. Probably heading to the new Fragers for some air fresheners?”

And like that… they are gone.

“After we have worked for years with the National Park Service to refurbish the National Mall, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars, President Trump now proposes to have 60-ton battle tanks there, where they would likely do significant damage.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From a press release:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement after news broke that President Trump wants to incorporate tanks and heavy military equipment into the Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall.

“After we have worked for years with the National Park Service to refurbish the National Mall, at a cost of millions of taxpayer dollars, President Trump now proposes to have 60-ton battle tanks there, where they would likely do significant damage. These tanks, heavy equipment, and weapons of war have no place on the National Mall at all, particularly as we celebrate the Fourth of July.

“President Trump’s decision to insert himself into the U.S. capital’s nonpartisan Fourth of July celebration keeps inviting more controversy to a holiday best known for uniting Americans around celebrations of the nation’s birthday. (more…)

“Interior Announces Additional Details about Salute to America, Annual Fourth of July Celebration”

By Prince Of Petworth


Blue Angels courtesy National Park Service

From a press release:

“The U.S. Department of the Interior announced new details about Salute to America including a flight demonstration by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and a generous donation of additional fireworks. Salute to America, a part of this year’s annual Independence Day celebration on the National Mall, will feature remarks by President Donald J. Trump to honor America’s armed forces.

“This is going to be a fantastic Fourth of July with increased access across the National Mall for the public to enjoy music, flyovers, a spectacular fireworks display, and an address by our Commander-in-Chief,” said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “We received an extraordinary donation for a phenomenal fireworks display, and our colleagues from the Department of Defense will be providing a one-of-a-kind music and air power experience including a flight demonstration from the Blue Angels.”

Salute to America will honor each of the nation’s five service branches with music, military demonstrations, multiple flyovers including a flight demonstration by the Blue Angels and much more. Participants include the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”), the Armed Forces Chorus, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, and many others.

This year’s fireworks will run approximately 35 minutes thanks to a donation from Phantom Fireworks and Fireworks by Grucci to light up the night sky and celebrate America. The donation to the National Park Service is valued at $750,000.

Additionally, this year for the first time in recent memory, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the World War II Memorial and Constitution Gardens will each be accessible and available as a location from which to view the fireworks. These prime viewing areas are now outside of the fireworks safety zone due to the fireworks launch site being moved from the Reflecting Pool to West Potomac Park and behind the Lincoln Memorial. The change of locations also means that the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial will be accessible to the public on Independence Day. These had been closed due to the previous fireworks safety zone. (more…)

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