January 23, 2008
Morning Roundup: Suburban Displacement Edition
Good morning, Washington, and welcome to a chilly but mostly unremarkable Wednesday. Yesterday's abortive winter weather advisory has left us longing for some flakes — sure, it's kind of a pain, but it seems like we're past due for a real winter storm. There's nothing doing today, but there may be hope for our admittedly misguided wish: the Capital Weather Gang says we may get some flurries tomorrow.
Gun Makes It Past Security At National: The Post reports on the latest failure of our airport security theater. Over the weekend a man made it through TSA screening at National Airport before realizing that he still had a gun with him (it's not clear if it was in his bag or on his person). He quickly headed back to security to correct the mistake and was rewarded with a court summons for his belatedly responsible behavior.
Prince William Co. Considers Service Curtailments: Last year a number of local counties elected to begin restricting services to illegal immigrants, only to find that doing so was more complicated than it seemed, both for practical and legal reasons. Plans were shelved and studies commissioned. Prince William County is one of the first to finish its study, and, as the Post reports, the results are predictably complex. It's not clear if denying illegals county services will save any money, and it will definitely take over $3 million to implement. Still, proponents say it will be worth it. It remains to be seen if the measures will survive the budget process.
Arlington Parents Protest School Boundary Changes: District parents aren't the only residents upset over a proposed change to their jurisdiction's school system. Arlington needs to redraw its school districts, and county residents, many of whom bought their houses based upon the schools their children would attend, aren't happy about it, as WJLA reports. There'll be another hearing on the matter tonight, with 55 slots for those wishing to speak.
Briefly Noted: Maryland may study possibility of thinking about potentially implementing a trans-fat ban, maybe... Ballou gets extra security, counselors in wake of yesterday's drive-by... Supreme Court to hear D.C. gun ban case March 18... Alexandria teen evades would-be abductor... Metro Center repairs partially completed, slated to be finished over President's Day... Yet another police impersonator on the loose...
This Day In DCist: One year ago the mayor was snubbing President Bush and the Politico was launching. Two years ago Marc Fisher was complaining about talkative cabbies.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user craig9683
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Isn't it Wednesday?
Er, yes. Sorry about that -- sleepy fingers (and brain).
He quickly headed back to security to correct the mistake and was rewarded with a court summons for his belatedly responsible behavior.
No good deed goes unpunished. What this town needs is more Mexican standoffs. Sounds like somebody needs to go back and watch that Turkish airport scene in Midnight Express.
"The TSA spokesman said testing shows that the agency has a "very high success rate" in detecting firearms. "
Um, not to get picky, but shouldn't this be one of those things where the success rate is 100%? Seems to me that when it comes to preventing firearms from being carried aboard an aircraft, anything less than a 100% success rate should be deemed a failure.
But that's just me.
In this economy, counties, especially PW will be lucky to maintain services to any residents...let alone to illegals.
Oh wow.
yeah, i noticed that too....and the flakes part makes some punny sense as well. i, for one, welcome our roe v. wade tweaking overlords...
I was surrounded by tons of pro-life protesters on my evening Metro commute. They were all white, loud, and, probably worst of all, incredibly nice.
How nice?
So nice that they would constantly offer their seats to older-looking people at every Metro stop.
So nice that they were saying how much they enjoyed their trip to DC and how inspiring this city is.
So nice that they wished people a good evening as they pushed past them to get off at Metro stops.
They totally ruined my evening commute with their niceness.
I was surrounded by tons of pro-life protesters on my evening Metro commute. They were all white, loud, and, probably worst of all, incredibly nice.
I saw a few when I was grabbing lunch at Union Station, I had a nice conversation with a guy from King of Prussia, PA. Even though we have some different thoughts on the issue, we did agree that we both want the same thing: a world where people don't want to have abortions and teenage girls aren't getting knocked up. He would prefer they didn't have sex, I think we should just make contraception more available; but it's a point that reasonable people can disagree about.
In college, I knew this girl that was a real right-winger and into the anti-abortion crap and she pissed me off real good one time, so I told her "she should have been an aborted fetus." Wow, she ran off and cried for hours!!!!! I was pretty pleased with myself.
Cranky: try doing the commute again as a Muslim. Or hell, a black teenager from SE. See how nice they are then.
Also, I used to know someone who was one of these raring pro-lifeer types, protesting outside of clinics, screaming CHOOSE LIFE!!!! Right up until she got knocked up herself. Yeap, amazing how easy it is to change your mind on the issue when that happens.
All those white folk and "Choose Life" teeshirts; it was like I was trapped in a Wham video. I made the mistake of offering to show them the "Bush stimulus package"... IN MY PANTS! At that point, they just started throwing holy water and screaming, "THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELLS YOU!"
I just didn't realize that this was so important that so many kids should have been taken out of school. Maybe calling Truancy officers would have been a fun exercise.
rugbykate: Is that in reference to the March for Life or something else? If it's the former, it's kind of irksome that parents would be cutting into their kids' school time for something (anything, not just this issue) political.
I really don't see a problem with cutting school to go to a political event or other non-school related events. I wouldn't bring a kid to a pro-life rally because that's not my thing, but I think that there are a lot of events in 'real life' that are far more educational than a day in school. Lighten up! It isn't like they (the kids) are conducting life-saving medical procedures. They can miss a day of school every once in a while.
"He would prefer they didn't have sex, I think we should just make contraception more available; but it's a point that reasonable people can disagree about."
I'd have to disagree. I don't think it's reasonable to think that people just won't have sex.
Mingus_Dew: I do think that events like that should be part of a child's education, but it's not as though they only take place from 8am-3pm M-F, or whenever the school day runs. And, while I do generally endorse "events like that," a march where everyone agrees with everyone else isn't exactly the best (or even a good) example of how a kid might benefit from extracurricular activities, since they're only being exposed to one side of the issue.
Also, I used to know someone who was one of these raring pro-lifeer types, protesting outside of clinics, screaming CHOOSE LIFE!!!! Right up until she got knocked up herself.
Always worth linking to: The Only Moral Abortion Is My Abortion.
I don't think it's reasonable to think that people just won't have sex.
That's what I keep saying at closing time, but it never works for me. Got any other suggestions?
...Um, if god didn't want teenagers to have sex then why'd he/she make them so horny? Just thought I'd ask.
I'd have to disagree. I don't think it's reasonable to think that people just won't have sex.
I hear ya, but we were talking more specifically about high school aged kids; I should have been more clear. Even so, it's not realistic to think that high school kids are going to stop fucking, but I understand why people think they shouldn't do it. High school kids are young, stupid, and irresponsible; throw in the ability to fuck a half dozen times in as many hours and you have a disaster (unwanted pregnancy, the clap, possible rape, etc.) waiting to happen.
I know I sound a little reactionary, but I have a little girl that I would prefer didn't engage in sexual activity until she was mature enough to understand and prepare for all the consequences of it.
I know I sound a little reactionary, but I have a little girl that I would prefer didn't engage in sexual activity until she was mature enough to understand and prepare for all the consequences of it.
If that's "reactionary," I'm a goddamned Trappist monk.
I'm not too thrilled about my little girl getting nasty, but I have no choice. She's a Monkey. The best I can hope is that she has all the knowledge she can get and the self-respect and dignity to get what she knows she deserves, and not be manipulated into doing something because she wants some dumbass to like her. And make it clear that ain't nobody f***ing nothing without a rubber on it. You'd be surprised how fast a condom comes out when that's made crystal clear. Because doing it safe, even though it "doesn't feel good" beats the crap outta chiseling apart the pages of last month's issue of Tits and Junk and bustin knuckle babies. Straight up.
The best I can hope is that she has all the knowledge she can get and the self-respect and dignity to get what she knows she deserves, and not be manipulated into doing something because she wants some dumbass to like her.
Indeed. I'm just hoping that as BabyRat gets older if I continue to spend time with her, take an interest in her activities, LISTEN TO HER, and make sure that she knows she can have my undivided attention anytime she wants it (that's what the TiVo is for); that I won't have to worry about her acting out and dating Johnny DumbFuck to get a rise out of me.
I belong to an organization called Dads & Daughters that's a little over the top at times, but they have some good tips on raising a little girl. Here's part of the e-mail I just got from them about watching the Super Bowl with your daughter. Good stuff IMHO
1. First, spend part of the pre-game afternoon tossing a football around with her!
A Dad who plays sports with his Daughter increases the odds that she’ll grow up healthy and strong!
2. If she doesn't like to play catch, take a walk or bike ride together.
Let her know that you enjoy being with her. The time together may give her an opportunity to share what is going on in her life. Daughters may see our enthusiasm for sports and think we’re more interested in our favorite team than in her. Making time for her on Super Bowl Sunday (and every other day) can counter that perception .
3. When watching the game, be aware that what your daughter or stepdaughter sees and what you see may be entirely different.
She may be struck by the cheerleaders, whose partially clothed bodies look so “perfect.” Instead of enjoying the game, your daughter may be comparing her body to theirs and feeling inadequate.
4. Try to watch the broadcast through her eyes.
Would any images, commercials, or events look or feel different if it was your daughter on the screen? You might share these perceptions with her and ask her what she thinks.
5. Use the remote!
If you see an ad or image that disrespects or objectifies females, change the channel so you, your daughter, and your family don't have those images in your home. Let her know why you decided to flip and ask for her feedback.
6. Compare the number of female sports announcers (usually fewer) and their roles (usually on the sidelines) to the number and role of male announcers.
Talk with your daughter about what you think those numbers mean. Do they mean that your daughter “can’t” be a big football fan? Could she be taken seriously as a sports announcer someday or should she eliminate this from her career aspirations?
7. Ask her which players and coaches she admires or sees as heroes.
Tell her which ones you admire, and then share your reasons with each other.
8. After the game, debate what each of you thought were the crucial plays and most exciting moments.
Then invite her to do something special together next Sunday to keep these conversations rolling and to convince her that the most important man in her life takes her seriously—and enjoys being with her!
9. Use the Super Bowl to become more media-literate and sensitive to your daughter's experience.
Decide to pay more attention to how media portray women and girls. When you see an ad, ask “What if it was my daughter?”, and then reassess your reaction to it.