A Once Proud City
When I was growing up, I always wanted to visit Washington, D.C. – maybe even work there some day. The capital of our country, its majestic buildings, the history…pretty impressive.
I finally made it there during my first semester of college. I joined a student group in part because they were traveling there for a national convention and I figured the worst thing that would happen was I’d get a cheap trip to Washington.
I’ve been back a few times since, all for business of one sort of another. The last time was 13 years ago.
That said…I don’t think you could pay me enough to visit there these days. It’s not safe, and it’s not reflective of our country—at least I hope it is not.
Look at Wednesday afternoon and early evening, as one example. As the Israeli prime minister is speaking to a joint session of Congress, a group of pro-Hamas protestors ripped down the American flag waving outside of Union Station near the Capitol building and set it on fire. They replaced the American flag with a Palestinian flag and spray painted graffiti on statues and memorials in the area, including the phrase “Death to America.” Despite dozens being seen on cameras, and despite officers who tried to keep order being physically assaulted, apparently no arrests have been made.
At the same time, the vice president abdicated her role as President of the Senate and skipped the address so as not to be seen in a photo with the Israeli leader.
And while all the protests were going on at Union Station, a few blocks away at the White House, the current President told a curious nation that he was dropping his re-election effort in the name of unity for his party and his country.
That’s the Washington of today. I hope to get back there some day…if it goes back to being a place we can point to proudly. And right now, it’s a long way from that.
