Photo from PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
Lots of protest signs:
More photos after the jump. (more…)
Politics
Photo from PoPville flickr user noahdevereaux
In Thursday’s Washington Post there is an article titled Deal on DC vote in House to be revived:
Congressional leaders intend to resurrect a D.C. voting rights bill as early as next week, despite opposition from many city leaders to an amendment that would eliminate most of the District’s gun-control laws.
The final details of the bill were being worked out Wednesday, but House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said he expects the legislation to clear the House and to include some version of the pro-gun language that has bogged down the measure since last year.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the city’s non-voting House member, and congressional leaders said they are negotiating to weaken the gun amendment language. But Norton said she is unwilling to sacrifice the opportunity to win a long-sought voting seat for the District by insisting on a stand-alone bill.
[Ed. Note: We’ve since learned that Sen. Orin Hatch from Utah may filibuster the Bill anyway if it gets to the Senate because he doesn’t like the way the extra Utah representative will be voted in (state wide vs district wide election).]
But the question still remains – should the District of Columbia sacrifice it’s gun legislation in exchange for getting a vote in Congress?
From an email:
“The Give Me A Vote project puts a spotlight on the struggle for DC voting rights with public art that inspires discourse on democracy. Raise your hand and demand voting rights for Washington, DC! We aim to attract the attention of and promote action from DC residents who support DC democracy.
Raise Your Hand – Join in by creating your own art.
Become a part of the movement, let us know what DC voting rights mean to you. Join the artists in creating public art around the city. Contact us for details on how you or your group can get involved.
Join us today at 11:30am at Dupont Circle for the launch of the project and the first stencil making party. The project will be active for at least a month.”
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I’m not saying I was offended at all but I found it curious that there would be a cross and the ten commandments (I think) on a memorial outside a Federal Court. Is this unusual?
Photo from PoPville flickr user quigley brown
Lots of action happened this week on the DC Political front. Looks like we’ve got a race for Mayor and a new race for Council Chairman. I know it’s early but I’m just curious how folks in PoPville feel about a few races. First the Mayoral race:
Council Chair:
And At large Council Member:
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I’ve seen an elephant and a donkey separately before but it’s rare to see them both in a residential area. For the record I’ve also never seen a flying donkey before:
And the elephant is pretty sweet too as it is covered in Pat Oliphant political cartoons:
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While I’ve admired these posters in the past it does really upset me when I see workers straining to have them removed. This one is from 18th Street in Adams Morgan near the old Carribou Coffee spot. I wish there was a designated spot for protest posters. I used to have to remove grafitti for my town (Rockville Centre, NY represent) and it was a huge pain in the ass (not court ordered, just a summer job). I felt so bad for this guy scraping away the poster that was not coming off easily.
Where, if anywhere, should these posters be allowed to go? Do you think there should be something like a designated protest poster spot or does that sorta defeat the purpose?
From a press release:
Busboys and Poets invites the local community to watch President Barack Obama’s live televised announcement to send more troops to Afghanistan. Phyllis Bennis alongside Zia Mian will engage the audience in a discussion to add context to the announcement. The discussions will take place on December 1st at 7 p.m. at the 14th & V location before the 8 p.m. announcement and then end with a follow-up discussion at the 5th & K location.
Phyllis Bennis is a Fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies, and co-author of the forthcoming Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer. Her newest article, “Reprise: Obama and Afghanistan” was published in the Huffington Post on 30 November.
Zia Mian directs the Project on Peace and Security in South Asia at Princeton University. He is a regular contributor to Foreign Policy in Focus, and author most recently of FPIF’s “United States, Pakistan: The Decade Ahead.”
Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, full service bar, bookstore, fair trade marketplace and fully equipped performance space that features political and cultural events. Busboys and Poets has 3 locations, 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C 20009; 1025 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001; and 4251 South Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. www.busboysandpoets.com
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“Dear PoP,
Fenty and his handlers were making their way up Rock Creek Church Rd from NH and GA Aves campaigning for his reelection. I got a knock on my door around 4pm (I work from home) and one of his handlers was there. He introduced himself and asked for my support and then called Fenty over who also asked for my support and shook my hand. It was one of those moments where I was caught off guard and could think of nothing to say to the mayor but nice to meet you. My question is isn’t it a bit early to be campaigning for reelection in 2010 when clearly there is a lot of work that Fenty could be taking care of on a Tuesday afternoon? With the rash of crime in the area I would prefer to see cops walking a beat rather than a politician. I guess that’s what I should have said to him… but like I said I was caught off card and a little celebrity struck.”
Given all the scandals he has been going through, I’d say it def. makes sense that he has begun campaigning. When I asked if folks thought he was doing a good job there were very few positive comments. He also has a pretty slick reelection Web site set up.
But what do you guys think – is it too early for Fenty to begin Door to Door campaigning?
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A reader sends in a tip:
“Obama at Habitat for Humanity site in NE right now. Clay and 54th NE, look for a blue United We Serve Banner. And hulking Secret Service agents.”
I love how Obama is visiting and representing in DC proper!