October 18, 2006
Morning Roundup: Unseasonably Warm Edition
Let Them Park in Fentytown: Yes, you guessed it, that pesky stadium parking issue just won't die. NBC4 reports that Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian Fenty has proposed his own plan for the site, which involves placing aboveground parking on the south side of the stadium, and would reportedly cost less than Mayor Williams' plan. With the Lerners and CFO Gandhi both on board for Fenty's proposal, could the mayor-to-be have his first political victory under his belt before he even wins the general election?
We Don't Need No Stinking Badges: The Post has an interesting story this morning on a new policy at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. Students at the school are upset that they're being forced to wear color-coded ID badges that correspond with different "academies" they're assigned to — essentially branding the each student as belonging to groups like the smart kids, the students who need help with English, and incoming Freshmen, for all to see. Call us crazy, but we tend to agree with the two-thirds of polled students who are calling the policy a "hideous embarrassment." The way we remember high school, the might as well hand out signs that say things like "shove me into your locker" or "pantsing me would be funny."
Briefly Noted: Gallaudet University cancels homecoming amid continuing protests ... Two fires in NE Washington may be linked ... Ceilings collapse in Rockville condos ... Development boom will keep on chugging.
This Day in DCist: In 2005 we saluted the D.C. City Council for ending the zero-tolerance DUI law and in 2004 we saluted the whole city for not being speed demons.
Photo by Eye Captain.
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I thought there was a zoning issue related to aboveground parking at the stadium site? Ah, it's mentioned in the Post article. Fenty and the council would override the zoning board. First political victory? More like starting off on the wrong foot, if you ask me.
Speak for yourself -- how are WE "currently sitting here sweating at our desks?"
The Nazis had badges...that they made the Jews wear.
There is some confusion. The Washington Post article makes no mention of Fenty's plan for parking at the south side of the stadium. The article only mentions the north side of the stadium. The NBC4 report and the Washington Post article are reporting two different things. I think we should just wait until we hear from Fenty or an official city government official speaks about it.
And, to top it off, we have 2 proposals. We have the new Fenty proposal, and we have the Mayor's proposal. Both of which are now, apparently, on the table. And, don't forget about Barry's proposal that wants to revive Herb Miller's plan.
Count 'em up - 3 plans. No leadership. What a cluster!
Don't most schools already have badges? Varisty letters for the (dumb) jocks and pocket protectors for the (smart) nerds.
Even Ogre figured out that distinction...
Not my line, but I feel it works -
"It's another way of making kids different from other kids when they're required by law to be there."
Do they really need to brand the kids who are in ESOL? What's the purpose in that? How could it possibly help administrators, teachers, etc.?
So why does the "Other" category get the yellow ID badge? I thought yellow stars were reserved for the jews?
Y'know what's a hideous embarrassment? Baseball caps tilted at rakish angles.
The big picture on stadium parking is that there are now several options, one of which might break the deadlock. Almost everyone wants that. Since each option comes with pluses and minuses, it seems most productive to note that people are working together to make the best of the deal, and to watch how it happens.
I don't see the logic in "linking" the students by issuing color coded tags. How is that making their high school experience a better one? I think there are a lot of kids that just want to get through their high school years by flying under the radar. If they must be used, why not ease tensions a bit by dropping the mandate that they be worn?
Why not tattoo them, there's so much space available, and it grows every year. Plus, they can't "forget" them!
You know they would never have suggested this idea in the Bethesda.
Oh well, just another way for the kids to further subdivide themselves (all it does is make it easier for outsiders to see the differences, the kids already know (from their dress, style, mannerisms, etc)). I think they should just view it as training for their adult lives where they will wear a badge for most of their working lives.