Good morning, D.C. How’re those new Metro express lanes treating you? We know it’s only five stations for now, but we’re pretty excited by the prospect of a nearly-50% speed-up through the turnstiles during rush hour. There’s nothing more infuriating than finding yourself stuck behind a perplexed tourist who’s fiddling with his farecard like a newly-tool-using ape at the beginning of 2001 — unless you count the encounter you just had with him on the left side of the escalator, of course.
Allen Takes To The Airwaves: Desperate to control the fallout from a series of racially charged accusations against him, Virginia Senator George Allen unleashed a simulcast last night, reports WTOP. The two-minute ad was an attempt to refocus voters on issues rather than Allen’s faux pas. We’ll let WTOP provide more details:
With his wife, Susan, at his side and a Washington Redskins helmet and a portrait of his late namesake father and football coach behind them, Allen recounted signature events of his term as governor — parole abolition, more stringent academic testing for Virginia students and welfare reform.
Yup, nothing like appearing with a Redskins helmet to drive home a message of racial sensitivity. Also somewhat relevant: don’t forget that yesterday’s Washington Times interviewed a handful of African Americans about Senator Allen, ultimately painting a perhaps suspiciously evenly-divided picture of their community’s opinion on the senator.
Curtailing The Curfew: This morning brings us two stories about the city’s crime emergency legislation. First, the Washington Times quotes Police Chief Charles Ramsey as saying that D.C.’s crime emergency declaration will last for at least another two weeks, and perhaps until the end of the month before being reevaluated. That’s pretty much to be expected — the current legislation expires October 19, by which time the council will have to decide whether to renew it. What’s more interesting is WTOP’s report that at that time Mayor Williams may push to remove the currently-enacted curfew policy. Details are scarce, but this’d presumably mean that the old policy would return, allowing the city’s juveniles to be out and unescorted as late as 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends.
Md. Voting Machines Get Crucial Test: Today may be the day that determines whether Maryland proceeds with its problem-ridden electronic voting machines or scraps them for paper in this fall’s election. WJLA reports that a thirteen-hour test of the Diebold machines will be conducted at the BWI Marriott — and that, if they fail it, state elections administrator Linda Lamone will abandon the troubled machines. Given their undistinguished track record, Diebold may need all the luck they can get.
Southwest Is Coming To Dulles: Hooray! Just look at all those routes! Except, oh, wait, click the “nonstop” button. Looks like there’ll be direct service to Vegas, Chicago, Orlando and Tampa.
Briefly Noted: Fall colors may be arriving late… Va. college students are in great shape… Herndon residents upset over gas company tree-trimming… NBC4 considers crime camera effectiveness, finds it lacking… Ehrlich criticized for questionable campaign mailing… Development over Union Station tracks gets approval…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we reviewed the Decemberists, celebrated a Redskins winning streak and pondered who the mayor would endorse. Two years ago we covered Freddy Adu’s partying habits.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user andertho
