Good morning, Washington. Flickr user zenfrisbee went down to the West Lawn yesterday to catch the festivities surrounding the Dalai Lama’s visit and acceptance of a Congressional Gold Medal. China, naturally, had “solemnly demanded” the cancellation of the event, which saw President Bush appear with the Dalai Lama in public — something no sitting U.S. president has done before. Bush dismissed China’s concerns over the event, saying he didn’t think it would severely damage relations between the two countries. You can check out more of zenfrisbee’s photoset from the day over here.
More on Meters: The Post follows up yesterday’s announcement by Mayor Adrian Fenty that D.C. taxicabs will be ordered to switch to time and distance meters with word that officials hope to have meters installed by this coming spring. There’s also, of course, already talk of a taxi strike. At least some taxi drivers are angry about the decision, but will enough of them be moved to join an effective strike?
More on Rawlings Killing: The investigation into the fatal shooting of DeOnte Rawlings by an off-duty police officer continues, and the Examiner reports that a witness has come forward to confirm that Rawlings fired two shots at the two MPD officers before one of the returned fire. The witness, Clifton Coleman, 19, is the man who was arrested Monday and charged with shooting his 14 year-old girlfriend in the face — a fact which should cast serious doubt on the veracity of his statements. There are conflicting reports from Rawling’s lawyer and his mother about Coleman’s previous statements regarding whether Rawlings had been unarmed on the night of his death.
Briefly Noted: Firefighters tested hydrants in Adams Morgan over night … Man hit by police cruiser in Cleveland Park last week dies … Drug lobby, Catania at odds … Supreme Court halts Va. inmate’s execution.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we took a closer look at the National Zoo’s new Asia Trail, in 2005 we noted the passage of more sane DUI laws in the District, and in 2004 we happily reported that D.C. drivers don’t speed very much.
Photo by zenfrisbee
