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July 4, 2004

Character

Dear Characters:

Character counts. Honesty counts. Integrity counts. In politicians, good character, honesty, and integrity in their personal lives are good indicators of how they will behave as stewards of our public business. Two continuing disputes in this issue of themail, over former Councilmember John Ray and current Councilmember Harold Brazil, bring up this touchy issue. I know it is dangerous to discuss the topic. First, let me repeat, as I do so often, that themail isn’t a forum about national and international issues except as they have an impact on daily life in the District of Columbia. Ever since the beginning of themail, people have been sending messages about how much they dislike the current president of the United States, whether that president has been a Democrat or Republican, Clinton or Bush. (Funny enough, almost no one ever writes about how much he or she likes the current president of the United States.) And ever since the beginning of themail, I haven’t printed those messages. So don’t read this as being about Clinton or Bush, and don’t reply to it as if it is; it’s about DC’s city government. But our recent history in national politics has intensified a long-standing division between who value good character and personal integrity and those who value adherence to political ideology, and who dismiss as irrelevant the personal failings of politicians whose only faithfulness is to the party platform.

My choice is clear. We put our trust in the people we elect to run our government, and in politics, as in our personal lives, the wise choice is to place our trust in people on the basis of the kind of people they are and how they live their lives, not on the basis of their empty words.

Gary Imhoff
themail@dcwatch.com

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Total Outrage
Keith Jarrell, k.jarrell01@comcast.net

I am just one voter that is totally outraged with the mayor and Cropp on how the search for a new superintendent of schools is and has gone. To think that we would rebuild the entire structure based on one candidates wants and in the end didn't even want the job is ridiculous! What poor management and thought.

Also, why is it that the city is only interested in hiring an African-American? Why don't we search for the best possible educator, not limiting the search to the color of their skin?

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DC Officials Talk with MLB, Not DC Public
Ed Delaney, profeddel@yahoo.com

Http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19121-2004Jun30.html: “A DC official involved in discussions with baseball said the two sides have been exchanging information regularly since a May 6 meeting in which Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) formally proposed a fully funded ballpark near RFK Stadium and three other sites in the District requiring rent payments of $5 million or less. The official declined to say what information was requested but he believed the activity suggested that baseball was moving toward a decision in late July or early August. The Banneker site has attracted the most interest from baseball.”

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No DC Taxes for Baseball Web Site
Susie Cambria, scambria@dckids.org

For information about the impact on DC taxpayers of bring MLB to the District, go to http://www.nodctaxesforbaseball.org. If you agree with the position of the campaign, we encourage you to join (send your name, organization -- if the organization is joining, address, and E-mail to cweiss@foe.org or scambria@dckids.org). We also encourage you to communicate with Mayor Williams and the City Council. Go to the “What Can I Do?” tab.

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The Senators and Cosa Nostra
Richard Mendel-Black, rmb@dymaxionweb.com

Readers of themail may be interested in reading a posting in the blowback section of the Dymaxion Web, http://www.dymaxionweb.com, entitled “The Senators and Cosa Nostra.” It's a take on the ironies and extortion that have become known as the DC baseball follies of 2004.

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Fire and Business Inspections
Kathryn B. Friedman, DC Fire & EMS, kathryn.friedman@dc.gov

In response to Mr. Howard’s recent submission to themail [June 20], I wanted to clarify the DC Fire and EMS Department’s (DCFEMS) responsibilities for fire code inspections in the District. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs has responsibility for inspecting new construction for compliance with fire and building code, prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy. DCFEMS Fire Prevention Division is responsible for enforcement of applicable fire code in the District. The Department conducts maintenance and complaint fire code inspections of public buildings. Additionally, the Department performs regular fire and code inspections of multifamily dwellings, health care facilities, service stations, schools, hotels, and nightclubs. Other enforcement responsibilities include plan review and inspection of chemical storage units, and the inspection and escort of certain transport vehicles through the District.

DC residents who wish to have a home survey inspection can request one by calling 673-3331. Other questions related to fire code in the District should be directed to the Fire Prevention Division at 727-1614.

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Corcoran
Gregory Alden Betor, gbetor@aol.com

[Warren Gorlick, themail, June 30, asked] “[W]hen is the last time that you had a guest who specifically came to DC just to visit the Corcoran?”

Last week!

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Are Slots the Incarnation of Evil?
Harold Goldstein, mdbiker@goldray.com

I am really tired of all the moralistic verbiage being thrown around over the slots proposal. What's the big deal about letting the people vote? Isn't that the idea behind a democracy? As to the merits and demerits of the idea, there are two sides to the story. It is not a form of taxation, regressive or not. Taxation is not optional; use of the slots are optional. Now don't bombard me with hate mail about not understanding the psychology of slot usage and who is most affected. Sorry, we tried prohibition of alcohol once and decided that the public demand for its availability overrode its evils. The effect of this is comparable to the effect of slots — worse even — and without the monetary benefits.

While I am not interested in using slots, and since I do not live in DC anymore, I have no position on the issue. If I were interested in slots, I'd be angry about not being given the option of having my voice/vote heard. In the interest of full disclosure, I am very interested in slots in Maryland because I love harness racing and own shares in several standard-bred horses, and having slots in Maryland will revitalize this industry.

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Slots
Brigid Quinn, brigidq@yahoo.com

Ron Linton complains [themail, June 30] that the elected leadership is silent on the issue of slots. I doubt that the pro-slots folk would agree with that. I think the pro-slots folk heard loud and clear from members of the council that they would get nowhere by relying on the elected body to pass legislation opening the way for this type of gambling. Hence the initiative. and, if the initiative does happen to pass (which I think the good voters of this city won't allow), I wouldn't be surprised if the council exercises its powers to overturn it. On this issue, I think at least a majority of our elected officials are on the right side.

As an aside, I might add that while I certainly don't agree with the slots proposal being pushed by the clients of former councilmember John Ray, I think Mr. Imhoff's tirade against Mr. Ray was unnecessary and offensive. I'm fairly certain that when the time comes, neither Mr. Ray's obituary or headstone will make reference to his counsel in this matter.

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John Ray, the Trash Thing
Stephanie Crowley, armadillogirl@att.net

Your accurate but ascerbic summation of Mr. Ray's legacy left out one component: the fact that he represents the owners of one of those hazardous, noxious trash transfer sites, one in a residential area no less.

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Brazil and Job for Mistress
Pat Yates, patedcats@aol.com

Keith Jarrell asked how people feel about Councilmember Brazil and his staff working to get Brazil's mistress a good paying job in the administration. In a word: disgusted. In another word: angry. During the 29 years that I worked for the DC government in competitive civil service jobs, I saw this kind of thing happen over and over again, during the administrations of Mayors Washington, Barry, Pratt-Kelly-Dixon and then Barry again and during the tenures of many, many Councilmembers. The persons for whom jobs were found included cronies, relatives, lovers, and personal friends. Almost all were unqualified for the jobs, and none of them had to compete. This was particularly galling to us in the social services and health fields, because we often weren't allowed to hire the staff that we really needed.

I guess the fact is that people who can, do things that they oughtn't, Or, as a much better writer once said, “Power tends to corrupt....” What a terrible example this sets for the rest of us.

Disgusted and angry am I.

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Hell Hath No Fury
L.E. Adams, workinprogress247@mac.com

Call me old fashioned, but I think trying to turn after-hours bedtime stories into political fodder is one of the most unattractive, irrelevant, and wasteful habits practiced by journalists in the name of profit maximization and the cattle who digest and spit up their muck in the name of nothing better to do. What may be sold as hearty, post-Watergate, all-bets-are-off-in-the-search-for-truth investigative reporting is often just the subtle marketing of smut to a high-end readership who have a sordid taste for other peoples' business but are afraid to be seen on the Red Line reading the National Inquirer. The Post's coverage of Harold Brazil's former aide getting a better job isn't about misspent tax dollars or abuse of power; it's just another tacky “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” story. It appears that a second former Brazil staffer, “dropped a dime” on her house mate because she was mad at the boss. Can you say Linda Tripp, boys and girls?

Some of us think our leaders' alleged extramarital relationships involve us. Whether it's FDR, Ike, JFK, Clinton in the White House, or Marion Barry, Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly Pratt, John Wilson, or Tony Williams in District Building, the fact is most affairs aren't even about the marriage partners harmed by them and don't qualify as newsworthy. Spouses are humiliated, careers ruined, and families often devastated by public peeping tommery. Many good people won't run for office and be subjected to the pressure of often unwarranted scrutiny cloaked as solid investigative journalism.

I, for one, don't want to know what the men and women I invest with a huge public responsibility do or where they turn for comforts not found at home or the office. I don't want to be a moral arbiter for unreported domestic disputes. Elected officials and their families have the same right to privacy that we all cherish, and should be judged by what they do after they have put their pants on, one mortal leg at a time, just like the rest of us. Let's not confuse public interest, which is our business, with prurient interest, which is nobody's dirty business but theirs.

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CLASSIFIEDS -- EVENTS

DC Public Library Events
Debra Truhart, debra.truhart@dc.gov 

Saturday, July 10, 2:00 p.m., Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, 5625 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Author Louis Bayard will discuss his new novel, Mr. Timothy, featuring the Dickens’ character Timothy Cratchit in a Victorian thriller. Public contact: 282-0021.

Monday, July 12, 7:00 p.m., Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, 5625 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Dr. Peter Kranz will show fossils, present slides, read from his books, Dinosaurs in Maryland and I Can Find a Dinosaur Myself. Public contact: 282-0021.

Tuesday, July 13, 7:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Main Lobby. Writers published in the new edition of MINIMUS magazine will read from their works. Poetry read by Mel Belin and Bernadette Geyer. Fiction read by Peter Brown. Public contact: 727-1281.

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CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE

Houseboat for Sale
Joyce Eminhizer, paris10@eudoramail.com

Moving, must sell a 43' live-a-board houseboat at Gangplank Marina; Southwest Waterfront DC, $28,000. Washer/dryer, air conditioner/heat, cuddy cabin, four closets, large top deck for entertaining and spectacular views. Metro and shopping two blocks; secured marina and parking included. See pictures at Craigslist.org under Real Estate and General For Sale ads for Washington, DC; put this hyperlink in your browser to view pictures: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/rfs/35438740.html. Call 488-7690.

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Furniture
Linda Clausen, aubergine999@aol.com

I'm redecorating. Furniture available under $100 each: one 84" good looking classic, comfortable, six-pillow sofa. Structurally in great shape but needs re-covering. One large, very comfortable, classic wing chair, dark stretcher legs, in structurally perfect condition. Needs re-covering. One 70" contemporary style sofa, comfortable, in good condition. Does not need recovering, if you can use dark mauve. Computer cabinet; computer on top, printer on bottom, with doors. Over $100 each: a few oriental rugs, 3x5 or 4 x 6; with rust color theme. Spanish style wine chest, solid dark wood; can be used for various kinds of storage. E-mail purplemax313@aol.com.

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CLASSIFIEDS — RECOMMENDATIONS

Window Sash Cord Repair
Linda Clausen, aubergine999@aol.com

Anyone's window ropes need repair? I have had many workmen lately who have not done completed the job they proposed. However, one worker completed the work as promised. This man fixes ropes in windows. He also can make a new window to replace one with broken moldings which one is not able to find for older DC home windows. If you have the need, write to me at LCLAUS9@aol.com and I'll be pleased to share my find.

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Using Revolutionary Software on the Fourth of July
Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com

For those who might be interested in seeing the film Fahrenheit 911, it's now available over the Internet for downloading using BitTorrent software, which is also available at no cost. (Michael Moore and Lions Gate, the distributor, fully approve of the film being distributed and viewed in this way.) If you search Google for the film name and BitTorrent, you'll find places to download it using BitTorrent. Note that it takes a while to download, even if you have a fast Internet connection. I'm currently downloading the film to my iBook laptop and it's going to take about 24 hours to fully transfer via my DSL connection. If there are any Macintosh subscribers to themail interested in getting the film from me, I can drive over and copy it onto your hard drive in just a few minutes via "FireWire target mode." Any Macintosh from 1999 onwards has a FireWire port. If you have a Macintosh laptop (or iPod), you can help distribute the film around town. The file size for the film is one gigabyte.

Interestingly, while I'm downloading this film I am concurrently uploading it to twenty peers. BitTorrent software is revolutionary. It’s being the Fourth of July, I reckon it's a fine idea to use revolutionary software. Now I need to get back to reading a fine book, The Joy of Linux. Independence is something you fight for not just once. The struggle is ongoing.

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