December 9, 2005
Morning Roundup: Shotgun Full Of Snow Edition
Good morning, Washington. It's time for us to let you in on a secret: some of us start work on these roundups the night before they go online. In fact, as we write this we're watching FOX5's 10PM storm coverage — and we're afraid that, at the moment, the weather prognosis does not look good. Judging solely by WTTG's graphics packages and the number of personnel on their Snow Patrol, we're facing a bona fide snowpocalypse. For those lucky few who have hoarded enough bread, milk and toilet paper to (briefly) forestall an icy demise: here's your morning roundup.
Storm Aftermath: Last night's storm dumped a whopping — well, we don't actually know how much snow came down. It certainly looks like less than an inch here in Northwest, but the local news outlets seem to be too embarassed by their doomsaying to fess up about the actual amount. Nevertheless, an icy coating may mean problems for your morning commute. WMATA crews worked through the night to make sure Metro runs smoothly, but it does look like the roads are slippery. Be careful out there. And, if you're still hoping that you might not have to venture out at all, NBC4 has a list of area closings here — most noteworthy is the federal government's two hour delay/unscheduled leave policy. Finally, all weatherphiles should be sure to check out CapitalWeather's liveblogging of the storm.
WMATA Board Considers Firing Chief Executive: Today's Post reports that members of the transit agency's board of directors are quietly considering removing CEO Richard White from his position. White has been with the agency since 1996, but his image has recently been hurt by a number of small scandals — and some mismanagement of funds large enough to attract Congressional attention. The board had asked to see improvement; apparently they haven't seen enough. In some good news (for riders, anyway), White has just announced his 2007 spending plan — and it doesn't include fare hikes.
Two Women Charged With Soliciting Assassins: In a truly bizarre story, two different Fairfax women — both named April — have been charged with trying to hire someone to kill their respective boyfriends. In both cases the solicitor's inquiries were answered by undercover police. The incidents aren't related, but there are even more similarities. The Post has all of the weird details.
Briefly Noted: Montgomery Blair H.S. student arrested for arson... Man spoiling for fight with city over nativity scene... Woman assaulted on way home from Metro... Sex Ed curriculum in Montgomery County sparks controversy...
Picture posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user erin m
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Oh no, Washington....it snowed!!!!
And the streets are wet!!!!
Someone call in the national guard!!!!!!
Exactly, Frosty. Too be fair, though... Philly is pretty much shut down today, too, and the sun just popped out.
What is noteworthy about that woman being assaulted? Am I missing something? Am I just being too pessimistic to think that that happens enough that it doesn't merit highlighting? Or has crime fallen so much here that it is news that a woman gets assaulted?
There's a good column on the WP business arguing that Carol Schwartz is the voice of reason and good sense on the on the DC Council, in the face of posturing, cronyism, and special interest pandering.
I don't buy it completely, since she's been aligned with the hotel association on the issue of the smoking ban, but it's well worth a read.
Death to the next reporter who promises doomday weather and doesn't deliver. F'ing drama queens
I have long wondered why on the East Coast, Philly and DC cannot handle snow storms, but every area north of Philadelphia seems to do alright when it snows EVERY SINGLE WINTER!
Ben: It's really a combination of things, I think.
1. News pack mentality. The news feasts on hysteria, and in feasting it perpetuates the hysteria.
2. School District pack mentality: Once one school district cancels school, the next one over feels pressure to do the same, lest they get sued for not following the general consensus.
3. Too many southerners. You know who you are. You're the ones wearing hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves when its 45 degrees out. Seriously, if you're going to be outside for a total of 5-15 minutes, you won't die if your face is exposed to above-freezing air. Listen, I am in awe of your ability to wear a three piece suit in mid-august, but why can't you handle a little cold air?
Snow:
I love the TWC splash ad 'Wrath of Winter'. These guys all turn a flurry into a potential 'Day After' mostly for ratings. I can't wait till they invent the snowflake cam and deploy all 450 trillion of them.
The good part was everybody stayed home and I could get into downtown DC in 15 minutes.
About nailed it. Also:
--people start driving MORE irrationally
--everyone in the area decided long ago that the dividing line between civilization and setting fire to your living room and worshipping strange gods was whether or not you could get extra milk and toilet paper in the four hours before a flurry begins
--some measure of hype over Marion Barry's storied inattention to snow covered streets.