The desecration of our country’s capital by Donald Trump reflects the destruction of our democracy, history, national treasures, culture and protections. One can barely see the White House since it is now surrounded on all sides by a 9-10 foot impenetrable black fence (yes, he finally got his wall).
Finally, right in front, I was able to get a glimpse through a 10-inch opening but it was far away. The only way to see it will be to go up to the top of the adjacent Washington Monument.
As darkness fell, I walked over to the Reflecting pool, it was only possible to get a slight glimpse since it was surrounded by an 8-foot fence with an upsidedown sign “National Fence Rental”, and another part was clumsily crisscrossed with yellow tape printed upsidedown too “Police Line, do not cross”. It did not seem that there was any water in it, it looked like a shlocky plastic cover.
I was in the first elevator in the morning to the top of the Washington Monument. I looked down at the White House and could clearly see that the East Wing was utterly gone, a priceless loss of our national heritage. There was a huge, well-lit mess surrounded by cranes and construction/destruction equipment to create a playpen for the rich and famous….yes, the much vaunted BALLROOM.
On the other side, I could see the Mar a Lago type patio that replaced Jacqueline Kennedy’s Rose Garden, destroyed as they wish to destroy our national parks. In front, on the once beautiful lawn that was ripped up for the UFC martial arts event, was the newly completed heliport that was a point of pride during President Xi’s visit the next day – yes, Xi knows granite. Lawn and gardens are a thing of the past.
The Kennedy Center is shrouded, reflecting its imminent demise and loss of a marvelous cultural institution.
And then we get to the horrific destruction of the Reflecting Pool, which to me represents the upending of our environmental protections. There is no water, just a marred plastic top over what was the pool, grey and dismal in the sunlight.
No one peering through the windows of the Washington Monument said a word…about the changes or to each other. A somber silence.
As expected, there were no Congressmen in the Capital during our Capital tour. And finally, as I walked back from the Capital, I got one more shock – a monstrously huge banner of our Dear Leader Donald Trump in front of a large grey building, just like Putin, Kim Jung Un and other autocrats.
We must stop this Administration and its destruction of our country! VOTE!
Linda Ayares is a global Communications Consultant who launched world class travel destinations, brands and consumer services