Letters to the Editor
Tone in DC
Published Letters: 135
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WT's post
[Read the article: The ongoing exclusion of war opponents from the Iraq debate]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Symbology
Near the end of the last thread, ToneinDC, in response to an earlier comment of mine, referred to the Potomac as being not much to see -- green sometimes, brown at others -- he made it seem pretty unsavory.
From his handle, I imagine that he sees it in or near the city. The urban vantage point isn't usually the best place to see any river. Stuff gets thrown into it, and the sky above it rarely casts auspicious reflections.
When I spoke of the Potomac, I was thinking of looking down from the top of a grass-covered hill with Mount Vernon behind me, which gave me quite a different perspective, even though I was very conscious of the slave quarters just on the other side of the main house from me.
I was speaking symbolically, of course, and symbols often seem simply disruptive to people who must deal on a daily basis with a more mundane reality. As with the Potomac, so also with the rest of Washington. The great themes of American history, and American political theory are from a time in this country when everything seemed both new and possible. That is no longer the case.
When Glenn and others try to apply such themes to present day Washington, they are brushed away. They aren't -- or don't seem -- relevant to the current meeting with a lobbyist about the upcoming appropriations bill, or to the latest gossip about which Senator has just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, or up the skirt of one of his interns.
The great busy machinery of a million ambitions grinds on, and no one bothers to look up. Everyone knows that the river is green, and probably has sewage in it. They'll get 'round to it in due course. In the meantime, how could anybody have anything to offer who isn't up to his elbows in the current project? No city appreciates amateurs, and Washington appreciates them less than any other city I can think of.
Frankly, I don't see much symbolic difference between a Cheney who thinks that we don't understand the true glories of war and civilization, and a Charlie Rose who's somehow incorporated an embarrassingly obsequious shuck and jive into the very roots of his personality. Both are servants of a master which can't be located, yet exists nevertheless.
The poisonous certainties of the status quo aren't invulnerable, especially over time, but they're difficult to attack from outside the citadel. One way which shows promise is to attack the logical fallacies inherent in their daily compromises, as Glenn does. Another is to attack the symbolic perversions which they rely on for their justification. The former works best with those already trapped inside, I think. The latter works better with those who aren't already committed to the warren of low expectations, and in looking at their own lives, wonder exactly what it's all for.
-- William Timberman
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I enjoyed your post, WT. And your point is taken.
I don't wax poetic very much. I am here in this city. Not far from the old hospital from which my parents carried me home. I've lived here most of my life.
My idealism could use some work. I've been to Mount Vernon, and ridden past the grist mill and then on to Fort Belvoir. I don't see things the same way that you do, but I can understand your point of view. I don't have that kind of sight right now. Your post reminded me of Churchill's speeches, the few that I've read or heard. I admit I have little in common, rhetorically or otherwise, with the Prime Minister.
When I look at my city, my vision isn't what it might be. They found pfisteria in that river, and who knows what else. I'll be able to look with more optimism in November. I hope. Hillary or Barack will improve my vitreous humor. ;-)
Seeing Junior continue his life's work of completely ruining anything and everything he touches would mess up anyone's vision.
Again, great post.
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Mr. Celery
[Read the article: The ongoing exclusion of war opponents from the Iraq debate]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Tone in DC.
In DC you need skin as deep as a smelly pink tuna?
I hope DC residents don't have 'pfisteria' fish sores.
W.T. is getting old. He forgets what 'diddy-wah-diddy' means?
It can't be true? I heard a condom can come through a DC H20 faucet.
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Diddy wah Diddy?? What does Puffy have to do with this?!
And as for condoms is the faucets, let's hope not. It's bad enough there are mostly bottom feeders in the Potomac (like Shooter, the electric catfish). No tuna, canned or otherwise!
The water is bad, though. I've stopped drinking it, myself. Barely fit to wash my car at this point. The water treatment plants around here are trying to clean up Three Mile Island with Formula 409 and Bounty paper towels.