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DC Touristing
Ed. note: The following post was composed sometime in early March, but I never posted it for some reason. I'm posting it now b/c my family is in town and we're seeing the sights.
One of the benefits of going to school in D.C. is, of course, being in D.C. with all its monuments and museums and national treasures and whatnot. In a small attempt to appreciate some of that cultural/historical goodness, I took a tour of the White House yesterday with a small group from my section at GW. (The first-year class at GW is divided into four large sections of approximately 100 people who take all classes except legal writing together, plus one night section of equal size.) It was fascinating but short; the public is only allowed in a very small part of the building.
Humorous note: It was cool out, so I was wearing a jacket that just happened to have a "Dean for America" sticker on it. I believe I was in the Green Room and I asked one of the guards if she could tell me anything about one of the paintings on the wall. Rather than answering, she looked at my sticker and said, "It's pretty brave of you to wear that in here while George Bush is president." I didn't know what to say. How are you supposed to respond to that? So I just said, "It's a free country last I checked," and tried to smile politely. The guard also smiled and then looked up at the painting and began her well-rehearsed speech about it. Lesson: Be sure to prominently display your support for Democratic candidates if you take a White House tour. The guards enjoy the diversion.
A few ideas for when people visit you in D.C.:
Take them on a tour of the White House. Not very practical because you need a group of at least 10 or more and you have to sign up way in advance.
More practical might be: Tour the capital building! You have to line up in the morning of the day you visit to get tickets, but you need to write your Congressperson in advance of your visit if you want tickets to view the actual Senate or House chambers. I'm told it's well worth it.
Law students and their families might especially enjoy a tour of the Supreme Court. (more info)
And, of course, all those museums. I wouldn't recommend the zoo right now, though. Bad stuff happening there. Tragic, really.
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Posted while listening to: The Golden Age (Live) from the album "Garage D'Or (Disc 2)" by Cracker
Posted May 8, 2004 07:28 AM | law school life generally
Stuff like this really cheeses me off. Obviously the implications of the comment depends on the tone it was delivered in, but my first reaction is simply - "Brave?" Like you're running some kind of risk? Like there could be a direct and negative consequence to you? Like they're going to take you out back and give you a few kisses with the rubber hose for wearing a Dean button? (Last I checked, Dean wasn't even in the race.)
All I can say is that I'm really looking forward to wearing my Dean button to a Kerry White House tour.
Posted by: Scoplaw at May 8, 2004 01:06 PM
Shucks, the way his administration is run sometimes, the rubber hose wouldn't shock me. J/K
Very good post, it makes me homesick. :) You're right about the zoo too. That place can be described as bootleg at best (criminal at worst).
Posted by: DG at May 8, 2004 02:31 PM
dissent is patriotic! they should be glad you're interested in democracy. that tour guide sucked.
Posted by: monica at May 9, 2004 07:29 AM
thanks for the tips. will be visiting DC for several weeks/times this summer...
Posted by: Katherine at May 9, 2004 11:04 PM
Hey Katherine, be sure and drop a line when you're in town. We may be having a D.C. "blawger" Bash at some point this summer, and any blawgers who don't live in D.C. but happen to be visiting (either on internships or just for fun) will be more than welcome. The idea is still in infancy, but I'll be posting details as/if they develop.
Posted by: ambimb at May 10, 2004 08:34 AM
