Photo by tedeytan
Good morning, Washington. Headed back to the office for four days of autopilot? Grab an umbrella; it’s going to be quite wet this afternoon.
The Long, Rough Haul: Three months in, and Occupy D.C. is losing its Paris Commune-like sheen as a collectivist utopia camped out in McPherson Square, the Examiner reports some there are saying. Health problems, theft, increased confrontations with the police—one Occupier says it’s become “volatile.” Perhaps more demoralizing to the movement, another longterm protester says the park is now home to a “majority that isn’t as actively involved.”
Still Locked Up, Still Protesting: With Cuba due for a papal visit next spring, the island nation’s regime released some 2,900 prisoners ahead of the event. Alan Gross, a contractor from Bethesda who was imprisoned two years ago by the Castro regime on espionage charges, was not among those freed, much to the continued despair of his family and supporters at home, WAMU reports. Last week, Kat Lucero spent some time with Gross’ family, friends and well-wishers who, every week, rally outside the Cuban Interests Section on 16th Street NW in Adams Morgan.
Easier Opponents Than the Kardashians: Upon taking the court at the Verizon Center last night, New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries was promptly—and loudly—jeered. Guess Wizards fans are on Team Kim. Over the course of game, the Nets climbed out of a 21-point hole, with Humphries scoring 21 points and pulling 16 rebounds to lead the comeback win. The Wizards dropped the opener 90-84, but at least their fans scored one for the Kardashians. Welcome to the truncated NBA season.
Briefly Noted: Metrorail rider who suffered seizure and fell in front of train is rehabbing … Johns Hopkins University accused of playing dirty on farm deal … Keep the car running … D.C. native finds envelopes of cash in Las Vegas, returns them … Spy shop would be good for Bethesda merchants, maybe less so for landscape.
This Day in DCist: In 2010, a giant weather pattern enveloped everyone but us, and Esquire enjoyed eating here. In 2009, Metrobus changes abounded, and MPD officers shot and killed a man who attacked them.
