Independence Day Weekend

The weekend started with our Senate office softball team playing the best team in the league, and after giving up ten runs in the first inning, slipped past them 15-14for the win. A good start to a great celebration of the nation’s birthday in the capital.

Before the game I had time to visit the National Portrait Gallery (http://www.npg.si.edu/), which had a fascinating exhibit with all of the presidential portraits, along with highlights of their careers. Additionally, a video loop played key speeches of the more recent presidents. Particularly poignant was former President Carter’s remarks to the nation about conserving energy. (We apparently haven’t learned yet.)

'Imported the spousal unit to share in the festivities, we passed on Mt. Vernon’s celebrations and birthday cake, and the Archives’ reading of the Declaration of Independence in order to cycle down to Alexandria and check things out. People were scoping out the best location for fireworks’ viewing, placing blankets, setting up tents, and setting anchor on the Potomac all along the bike route. Lots of preplanning, as we saw all-day card games, barbeques and family picnics.

We found lunch on the mall at the Smithsonian’s annual folk festival (NASA, Bhutan, Texas, don’t ask me for the rationale) – exhibits, food, music and dancing. Lots of folks in red, white and blue, in all get-ups. We ventured back to the Capitol by Metro, to wait on line in the rain past security for a spot in the grass at the concert. Moderated by Jimmy Smits (again, don’t ask me…), performers included Huey Lewis and the News, Jerry Lee Lewis (notice a theme?), the National Symphony Orchestra and others (http://dc.about.com/b/2008/06/17/a-capitol-fourth-2008-independence-day-concert.htm).

For us the best part was seeing the cannons go off during the 1812 overture, and then finding a new spot on the mall to watch the fireworks unobstructed (20 minutes worth, but not as good as NYC’s). It was awe-inspiring. The founding fathers said that we should celebrate the nation’s birthday with “illuminations.” Here we are, centuries later, doing just that. So even when politics gets discouraging, and our nation’s problems fester, we still are a functioning democracy, carrying out the vision after hundreds of years – you have to feel inspired.

So in keeping with this patriotic theme, Saturday we had an appointment (requested in February, rejected in May, and granted an opening in June) for the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/video/index.html). Another long line, but it moved quickly once the folks who didn’t read the instructions (no purse, no camera, no lipstick, no water, etc.) left the line.

The tour is self-guided - of some of the downstairs rooms, including the east room (receptions, ceremonies, press conferences). The state dining room seats 130, and includes a quote from John Adams”: …may none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof. ”(!) The red room is often used for receptions by the First Ladies. The blue room is where the Christmas tree gets decorated. The green room (my favorite) was once used as President Jefferson’s dining room, and has gorgeous damask silk wallpaper.

I was trying to recall movies of the White House (my cultural reference) for signs of familiarity. The coolest part, however, happened on the back lawn, as we all gathered around the windows. The helicopter landed, the marine pilot came out to open the side door. Ten minutes later, out came President and Mrs. Bush from the White House to step up into the helicopter, followed by their entourage. George sat by the window, waving at the crowd, while the helicopter ascended (practically straight up – and as someone said – there’s no dust on the leaves of those trees with such a breeze from the blades). I admit it was a thrill, but a cheap thrill. My mother wasn’t impressed, but I was.

Sunday we went to Arlington National Cemetery, along with half of D.C. it seemed, to see the changing of the guard (spousal unit’s first time), and then down the bike path to the airport to watch the planes take off and land over our heads. We never seem to tire of that amazing view.

I’m reading “Pennsylvania Avenue, Profiles in Backroom Power” (Harwood & Seib) about the power brokers, lobbyists, and how political pressure seems to trump sound policy. Now I find this fascinating, although I confess that just one year ago I wouldn’t have given this book a second thought. Am also reading “Girls Like Us” (Weller), about Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon, and how they shaped a generation. Since it was my generation, it’s like visiting my past with a greater understanding. I get the cultural references.

To catch up, the hill that the Capitol sits on was Jenkins Hill (http://www.capitolhillhistory.org/library/04/Jenkins%20Hill.html), the Senate did not pass Medicare before the July 4th recess, the farmer’s market still doesn’t have that cherry chocolate bread (but today they had great peaches and blackberries, but no more strawberries), Felton was the first female Senator, and the media sits off to the Supreme Court justices left, perpendicular to and off to the side of their bench. One theory on why no “J” street in the Capital is that the letters I and J were often indistinguishable from each other (especially when handwritten) .in 18th century English. I still don’t know why flowers are not allowed on the Senate floor.

My knees still ache from all the walking on concrete and marble, my shoes are wearing out, and I still get a thrill walking by all of the history, architecture, and tourists. This is a great town, flaws and all.

This week I hope to meet with the Senator to discuss my public health ideas, and see progress on the housing, Medicare and health bills. I hope Congress can focus.