Your Electronic Backfencedc.story is presented in association with Washington’s News Station WTOP-1500 AM and 94.3 FM. ***With the help of generous listeners like you, WTOP has already raised more than $100,000, this year, for "A Place for the Kids"*** Your tax-deductible donation is being used to rebuild the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Clubhouse at 2nd & M, NW—right off New York Avenue. Help us finish the structural work in time for Christmas by sending your tax-deductible contribution to "A Place for the Kids" WTOP Radio, 3400 Idaho Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. All proceeds—every penny—go to the effort! (Our goal is to raise another $30,000 for backboards, hoops, and bleachers.) -^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^ Dear Neighbors: Thank you for your patience while I consulted with Dr. Frankenstein to get the dc.story operating system working again. It’s alive, it’s alive! Meanwhile, I’ve had some private conversation which indicates that dc.story is migrating again into name-calling territory. You might find this repartee amusing, but the vitriol inhibits those in the know from writing their minds. As your sheriff, let me remind you of the laws: This is not a flame list and therefore name-calling is not acceptable; I’m not perfect (that should be self-evident) and ad hominem attacks will slip by me late at night; and, therefore, please take extra care to argue points and not start arguments with name calling and insults. Otherwise, I may have to read dc.story before sending it out! ***** Meet your dc.story colleagues. Everyone is invited to the dc.story holiday party at TGI Friday’s in Friendship Heights. December 16 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Free munchies and low-cost drinks. -^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^ Remember**Monday night is "Your Health Night" at the Georgetown FRESH FIELDS/Whole Foods Market! Dec. 8 - Treating Colds and Flu The Natural Way, 7 p.m. Free Dec. 15 - Avoid Sports Injuries and Improve Performance, 7 p.m. Free For more Info, please call FRESH FIELDS/Whole Foods Market at 301.984.4874 (ext. 3089). -^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^ In this issue of dc.story, Arrington’s Arrogance, Soulby’s Slip-ups, hard ball at Guy Mason, and another angle on school vouchers. Cheers, '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' The Arrington Irony Factor. His Losses Cause Big Changes Arrington Dixon. Likeable, voluble, if not particularly memorable, who’d guess he’d do so much to DC’s political map. First, he loses the Council Chair to Dave Clarke proving race didn’t matter. Now he’s proved party doesn’t matter, stirred up the next at-large race, and may help send the unbeatable Hilda into retirement. Losing his at large seat to a Republican is another first. A Republican (albeit a Post endorsed one) has never carried the city against a Democrat. Never. Losing a Democratic at-large seat has a reverse twist effect on Hilda. The city charter has, in effect, an affirmative action clause for political parties. The clause limits a party to holding three of the five at large seats (the chair counts for one.) Each party nominates one person, but you vote for two. Since home rule, non Democrats have always held two of the at large seats. Carol Schwartz, Jerry Moore, Hilda Mason, Bill Lightfoot, etc., were elected this way. Before today, Hilda was under this shelter. Dixon’s defeat completely changes this. No party has three seats. Next year, both Democrats and Republicans can nominate two candidates and we can vote for two. If Hilda runs again, she’ll have to face challenges she’s never had before from Democrats, Republicans - you name it. Retirement starts to look much better. Maybe we should ask Arrington to keep running, something like a designated loser. **** Election Apparently, Arrington Dixon forgot how slow the mail is in the District when he was away from the Council chambers.....my flyer urging me to vote for him arrived in the 5 PM, Dec 2 mail… ****** Big Brothers in Blue One aspect of Chief Soulsby,s buddy, Lt. Jeffery Scott Stowe and his use of government computers in alleged "fairy shaking" has received no press coverage. According to the Washington Post "Starting with license plate numbers, he allegedly traced the owners through a series of computer searches on a law enforcement computer database" .As someone who has had some contact with large law-enforcement organizations during my work in computer security for about 5 years I can say, as a group, law enforcement is extremely lax about meeting computer security standards and protecting individual privacy. For example, in what I consider a flagrant violation of the applicable standard, there is no "per user" authentication for the NCIC database used by cops all over the country - which has led to some interesting abuses. And I’d bet the ranch that there is no auditing of computer used by Lt. Stowe to acquire his victims names and addresses. (Allegedly, of course) Which brings up Leila Afzal’s good question about social security numbers used as DC drivers license number. She is quite right to be concerned. Some one privy to your SSN can apply for credit in you name and do all sorts of damage. In addition, people like Lt. Stowe can resolve any ambiguity about your identity for every database to which they have access. (Little more than your ssn is required to run a credit check, for example). To answer Ms. Afzal’s question, no your actual ssn is required to get a DC license, although since the DMV doesn’t tell you why it’s required when they ask for it, they may be in violation of the Privacy Act. (Lawyers, please chime in). Some states ask for it, but don’t require it. As to how to get this deplorable practice changed, I suppose the only possibility is ballot initiative, given the non-responsiveness of our elected representatives. I’d be gland to participate if anyone knows how to get the ball rolling. Maybe one of the Computer privacy groups would be willing to lend a hand. ***** That Soulsby Magic I was somewhat surprised that there was such a simple answer to Soulsby’s tenure—that his Uncle is Senator Robert Byrd—and somewhat chagrined that I didn’t know this. Then I did a search on a Washington Post archive that goes back to 1983. It appears that this relationship has only been mentioned in the Post twice. The first time in October, 1995, when Soulsby was termed a "distant relative" of Byrd; then again in May, 1997, when he was termed a "relative" of Byrd. So my guess is that I’m not the only one who does not know of this link. It is, however, apparently well known in the police department. When I showed your reply to my wife she remembered that she had been told this some time back by a friend of hers who is a retired DC cop. ***** Washington, DC DMV I found a web site that calls itself "The Unofficial Guide to the DC DMV." I thought I would pass along the URL to dc.story readers, since we’re all on-line junkies. The site has lots of useful information about the DMV, as well as some real-life horror stories. The URL is: http://pw1.netcom.com/~burck/dcdmv.html. (The very official DC Government web site is: http://www.ci.washington.dc.us/.) ***** Signs of the Season The holiday snowflake lights are again affixed to the light poles along 7th Street SE and along Pennsylvania Ave SE. They add cheer and lightheartedness to the evening skies. People who live elsewhere and are thinking of going to see the holiday tree on the west capitol lawn might also want to see these decorations. [Did you ask for the "undercover" discount offered on 7th Street? Jeff] ***** In Response Larry Seftor asks if avoiding registering cars in DC means that we avoid paying income taxes there too. Nope. Wish i could say otherwise, but i’ve been paying DC taxes all along. ****** Changes at Guy Mason Ballfield
ANC 3-C will hold its next meeting (open to the public) Monday, December 15th at 8pm at the Second District police station. One agenda item that appears controversial is a proposal to renovate the baseball field at Guy Mason (Wisconsin & Calvert). The current softball field would be enlarged to permit hardball. The work would be done through a public/private partnership between the DC Department of Recreation and Maret School. Changes to permit hardball would include: removal of several mature trees which are outside the current (smaller) outfield; elimination of the driveway in front of the recreation center (this would become part of the outfield); loss of a dozen or so parking spaces (also in the outfield); new 8-foot chain-link fences; netting along the Wisconsin Avenue frontage; and removal of the announcer’s box. A movable pitcher’s mound would be installed to enable both softball and hardball. The lights will be moved outside the playing field, although this might not happen quickly, thus preventing evening games next year. Use of the field would be scheduled, with specified times already allotted to several existing leagues (Capitol City Little League & D.C. Babe Ruth League) and schools (including Maret & Hardy).I will scan forthcoming dc.stories for comments. You may also contact ANC 3-C (232-2232) or come to our December 15th meeting. ***** Movie Theaters Once upon a time, in Upper NW D.C., there was a movie theater. Apparently it was on the site that is now occupied by that totally out of character, ugly monolith known as the AU Law School Building. From my standpoint the only thing missing from the little Spring Valley/AU enclave is a decent movie theater. Maybe one could be built over the top of Super Fresh. In retrospect, instead of battling AU over locating the Law school in the ugly building, the community should have negotiated for a small movie theater in the back lower level where the Russian Tea Room was hidden. ***** Indie Films On the issue of the future of independent films in DC, I suggest the promotion of movie salons such as the one I have been running, as part of the DC Salon Network. The format is that we get together once a month, have a potluck dinner, see a movie and then discuss it. The choices usually are foreign or independent films. The next one is on Sat. Dec. 13 and we will be watching "My Dinner with Andre" .POC is: bahram@rocketmail.com and you can see the webpage at: www.utne.com/salons/dc *****
NARPAC, Inc. Upgrades its Web Site for DecemberLen Sullivan lsnarpac@bellatlantic.net The National Association to Restore Pride in America’s Capital has upgraded its web site for December (see "What’s New" at http:\\ www.narpac.org) with more than 150 new headline summaries, additional relevant web sites, and new correspondence to various major players in DC’s future. Extensive summaries have been added on seven more significant Control Board studies analyzing: DC fire and rescue services; regulatory procedures; public works; housing and community development; health services; corrections and youth services; and asset management. It concludes with a pointed editorial noting that the "start of the beginning" of fixing DC is still a far cry from achieving a national capital metro area Americans can be proud of, and that most of the longer range issues remain under the city and federal rugs. Feel free to visit and comment. ***** School Vouchers I am a substitute teacher in the Los Angeles Public High Schools. Prior to taking this job, I had never stepped foot in a public school. I found the students to be pretty much the same as the classmates I had known in my 16 years of Catholic education. However, I detected a greater spiritual hunger among them than I had ever seen. Since I believe that the 1st amendment means that the government must treat all religions fairly, I began to advise the students to attend a church in order to search for a solution to their problems, instead of turning to drugs, gangs, or sex, etc. I believe that if Public Schools do not want to mention God at all, then unbelievers should attend them and believers be allowed, regardless of financial condition, to attend the private religious school of their choice. This is why I favor vouchers. I think it can only help the country. ================= So you’re interested in that big advertising spot in the beginning of dc.story? Contact Jan Genzer — the dc.story marketing maven—at Oltjan@aol.com or call him at 202.364.0383. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.events Washington Tasting Society Last Event for December: 12/11-"America’s Wines: East Coast vs. West Coast Blind Tasting Showdown"-from 6:30-9:00PM, Fellini’s Restaurant, 1800 M St., NW, Washington, D.C. Cost: $33.00, payment must be in advance. RSVP at (202)333-5588 or email: wine@tastedc.com Who says that the only great American wine comes from California? New York’s Finger Lakes district makes some outstanding Rieslings, and Virginia and Maryland are producing some exceptional wines. Now you can be the judge: we’ll let you taste them blind! (No, we won’t blindfold you!) We’ll match 4 West Coast and 4 East Coast wines of similar price and grape variety and we’ll pour them from covered bottles. You choose the winners! Check out pictures from our past events at our web page: http://www.tastedc.com Charlie Adler adlerparty@aol.com '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' dc.market Go By Scooter, Go By Skis, Bundle Up So You Don’t Freeze. I won a pair of K2 Merlin III skis from REI (retail $480). I don’t ski. Thus I am willing to sell them for $250. They do not have bindings. Forrest Maltzman forrest@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu ****** For rent: Two furnished rooms for short-term rentals. Near Metro. $360 & $390 plus ¼ utilities. Call Karen at (202) 363-7358. Wanted: Cat and dog sitter with references to stay in house near Metro December 14 or 15 to December 19. Contact the Forts at fort@guvax.georgetown.edu. Deborah Fort fort@guvax.acc.georgetown.edu '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Also free! dc.movie. Free movie passes, short movie reviews, and movie discussion. Send an email message to story@intr.net to subscribe. -^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^ dc.story is a discussion group. The opinions stated are the sole responsibility of the authors. dc.story does not verify information provided by readers. Kibitzing by Jeffrey Itell. Copyright © 1997 All rights reserved. |
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