A 'front yard' in need of repair
Rocky Mountain News
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The National Mall is that magnificent green sweep in Washington, D.C., that stretches just over two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol on one axis and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial on the other.
With the monuments and the parade of great museums on either side it is overwhelming. It is also getting shabby and rundown. The National Park Service says there is $350 million backlog of deferred maintenance.
Casual visitors are so taken by the vistas that they don't notice the cracked sidewalks, the grass worn down to the dirt, the suspect look of the water in the Reflecting Pool, the broken light fixtures, the sinking containment wall around the Tidal Basin.
A House Appropriations subcommittee has recommended spending the $100 million necessary for the immediate needs.
We really have to do better by the Mall. It is, after all, fairly described as "America's front yard."
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July 9, 2008
6:02 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
It was a thing of beauty in the late 60's, lets pave it and add parking.
July 9, 2008
7 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
The water of the Reflecting Pool has been suspect ever since I can remember. As well as the grass being worn down. Thousands of people are walking and sitting on it daily. It is not uncommon to have over a million people in that area on the 4th of July alone.
That part of Washington D.C. is beautiful and the museums and monuments are one thing I miss about the area.
So lets not get into it's the Republicans/Democrats fault. It's been like that forever.
July 9, 2008
7:06 a.m.
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VVVV writes:
Yeah, let's forego using that money to actually keep a roof over our heads, so when we have to camp out on the front lawn of our foreclosed house, at least it looks good.
July 9, 2008
7:35 a.m.
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kodijack writes:
$350 million for just the Mall? What? I would love to see that accounting.
July 9, 2008
8:32 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, of course you able to cite FACTS that the current administration ONLY is responsable for the long standing deterioration, please reveal them here. Following your "formula" the lake in city park in denver being overun by algae is the direct failure of mayor whackyhooper(D) so lets start locally, where obama is having his DNC fest, impeach the tyrant.
July 9, 2008
8:43 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
www.nationalmall.org
That is an official website to donate to improving the national mall
July 9, 2008
8:46 a.m.
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mark79trans writes:
Froward69 writes:
Americas "front yard" seems to be a direct reflection of the occupiers of the white house. Four more years of republican tenancy, we could expect a rusting parking lot of SUV's on blocks, with no grass. The reflecting pool, having been used as a oil collection and open storage, looks every bit abused. various windows boarded up on the white house. shredded pieces of the constitution rolling haphazardly in the wind. As the money for maintenance went to haliburton ($350 mill) on a no bid contract. who in turn spent it all on a 3 page report suggesting more deferred maintenance.
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This is the most ridiculous comment I have seen in a long time.
Here is a piece of trivia for you. Good ‘ol Hillary Clinton put out her cigarettes on the floor of the White House, and we all know what Bill did…they were sure model stewards of the White House. There are some pretty good stories if you happen to know a few members of the Clinton’s Secret Service Detail.
Forward69, half the country will hate the next president. Maybe you should look at that as a serious problem instead of going off on some ridiculous and untrue rant. Perhaps, look at the views of others and not push your one sided agenda…it would be a lot less polarizing.
July 9, 2008
9:50 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, make up your mind, one time you call Me a Nazi, another a Facist,now a Republican? FACTS, quote where I blamed Clinton. It was you that that posted, "a direct reflection of the occupiers of the white house." from your post of 8:22am. FACT. By the way, that is to donate beyond what has been budgeted by the democrat led house and senate, so you are again mistaken, I offered it so People could decide, patriots, like you claim to be, to do a little extra for their nation, but you can't accept that.
Respect, from anybody that would post like you did @ 9:16am "I am going to the bathroom to push out another republican." is not anything I desire, but you do reflect well your support of obama.
July 9, 2008
10:10 a.m.
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temurlan writes:
Backward69,
Once again you bring nothing to the discussion except some ridiculous spew.
This latest rant was obnoxious...even for you.
Anyway, let's pass the 100 mil and get to work.
July 9, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, FACTS, where is your data, where are your FACTS? "I wasn't wrong in stating the need to donate is BECAUSE of the republican plunder of the treasury. The Democrats budgeted all they can.", pehaps if they managed the funds better there would be money for it, you actually bordered on FACT! The President doesnt allocate funding, the legislative branch does. The past 2 years the legislative branch has been led by Pelosi/Reid, why didnt they allocate more for it and less for earmarks?
Hate for obama, never met him. Hope to never meet him. Hate for socialism and socialist programs, yes, especially draped in an american flag.
July 9, 2008
10:40 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, "I am just trying to think like a republican.", then from 9:16am, "I am going to the bathroom to push out another republican." ,@ 10:09 am "your politics are all over the place"
July 9, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Froward, You cannot blame the problem on Republicans. When Jimmy Carter was president I was down there for some protests and went every year to the 4th of July party they held. It has been up and down for a long time. When I went to the 4th of July fireworks when Jimmy Carter was president it was the worst I had seen it. When Reagan came into office it was the best. When the 1st Bush was in office it started going downhill. When Clinton was in office it was once again neglected. I haven't been back in 15 years but I can tell you it has always had it's ups and downs. This is a huge maintenance project. It is not easy when you have thousands of people everyday on the Mall. Try scrubbing your kitchen floor while 25 people are standing on it. Then you'll get the gist of what it is like daily.
Until you know what your talking about , shut up with the Republicans are to blame for everything.
Besides Nancy Pelosi could have given the 100 million to fixing up her yard instead of giving it to millionaire salmon fisheries to NOT catch salmon.
Both parties *uck. No one has the monopoly on that.
July 10, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, "I thought", liar.
July 11, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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rbwinckler writes:
KUDOS to whoever wrote this editorial! I have just returned from my first trip to DC and I actually complained to the NPS about the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Monument. As an American I am embarrassed that this is what people see. There is no beauty in a litter filled pool lined with thick moss and algae so one cannot even see the depth of the pool, even at its edges. This is an historic landmark and monument and should be treated as such!