We're suckers for a good action photo.
This one from
Cary Scott Photography, shows one of Washington's infamous motorcades flying up our streets. And--ahem--we as voteless taxpayers of the District
pay for that security. This photo also reminds us that some high-ranking folks are visiting us! Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of England are touching down in Richmond this afternoon, and will be coming to Washington as part of their trip. Curiously, Her Majesty has only visited the United States under Republican presidents: Eisenhower, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43,
according to Wikipedia. We wonder why. Do Republicans make better hosts? Maybe the party is secretly trying to re-enlist our nation as part of the Commonwealth? Any other guesses?
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They pay better, and have better attitudes!
The voteless taxpayers of DC do not shoulder these security costs all alone. Every year Congress appropriates funds to reimburse DC for the costs of providing security for federal officials and events.
This year, DC is getting more than $8.5 million in security reimbursements from the feds, on top of $13.5 million received in 2006.
I think I saw this same motorcade whizzing by my window at 14th and New York. Dubya sure knows how to snarl traffic.
@DCB: And what police force protects the people of DC, suburban workers, and millions of visitors while DC cops are "providing security for federal officials and events"? Our under-manned force is tired enough without the federal burden; all DC residents pay the social costs.
"security reimbursements" pay the overtime -- after the fact, too. DC fronts up the money.
It's because the Queen and Republicans have a lot in common - both deplete the public purse for their private gain.
"Our under-manned force is tired enough without the federal burden; all DC residents pay the social costs."
Tell that to the officers who are making up to double their salary in overtime workign those details.
People in DC will whine about anything, even providing security to the President when the costs are reimbursed.
"People in DC will whine about anything, even providing security to the President when the costs are reimbursed."
This person of DC is tired of loaning money to the Federal Government for a known cost - security for federal and foreign officials – on a reimbursement basis. I call that poor Federal planning, and I don't see why DC should have to front up the cash for it. And are the Feds paying interest? I don't think so.
When DC police have to mount two rolling roadblocks because Prince Charles needs to change his pants between Whitehouse lunch Whitehouse dinner, DC neighborhoods are shorted on Police coverage. Maybe we can have Montgomery and Fairfax County cops keep His Royal Pantsness company instead -- they can take the rest of the night off.
And wouldn't it be awesome if we were represented in the body that decides how to use the money it's borrowing from us? Because then we'd be like real citizens, just with higher security costs.
I liked them way better with their original line-up. Paul Rodgers is no Freddie Mercury. So why is the media making such a big fucking deal about a washed-up classic rock outfit playing a show in Richmond?