White House off limits

[linazelle]

I was in DC a week ago. I and a group wanted to see the greatest institution in our country, the White House, at the end of a long day on the way back to our hotel. We drove by and to my surprise, all we could see was razed ground for the (soon?)-to-be-erected mall/walkway, some kind of green fencing/tarp which blocked the view of the property and secret service people galore at the gates/moats at the entry way. The place is a wreck and a disgrace.

I knew that a mall was being erected for security purposes, but I had no idea that the White House is virtually closed off to the public view. And with the kind of clout the president has, you just know that if they wanted the "construction" finished, it could be done instantaneously.

The condition of the White House now speaks volumes about BushCo. It's symbolic of the chasm between the resident and the citizens of this country. It's also indicative of the duly earned fear and paranoia from the world wide enemies Bush has cultivated. But to think that he tries to insulate himself from his own actions by virtually sealing the White House off from the public is despicable.

Seeing Farenheit 9/11 tonight with footage of the same White House replete with secret service walking on the roof and the tarp wrapped in front reminded me of one thing. We have to get the White House back--it belongs to this country and the people. It is not a place for cowards like Bush who make enemies and then secrete themselves away while everybody else is exposed to danger.

[Kenergy]

1. Very well said Linazelle...

Bush claims that the world is safer because of his policies...
but gee whiz...every time he leaves his hole he has to have
6000+ armed body guards around him and like you said, the
White House is now a fortress.
I don't have enough words to describe how screwed up this
country is since he was selected.
Anyway, thanks for the post.

[zmdem]

2. Our greatest institution

I would disagree with you that the Whitehouse is our greatest institution. Our constitution is our greatest institution. The Whitehouse is just a building, albeit with a lot of history.

Washington, arguably our greatest president, never entered the Whitehouse.

[Fenris]

9. He ruled from New York City.

[StandUpGuy]

3. i thought almost the same thing

The only differce...it's not my white house

The scene with military looking people camped out on the roof of the White House and green barricading 500 yard around the perimeter said one thing loud and clear...


KEEP OUT

Who exactly are the guys on the roof going to intercept ?

a: alqueda sleeper cells storming the white house.
b: Iraqi insurgents that swam past the coast guard
c: shoot down hijacked or enemy aircraft
d: snipers in place to be used in case of revolution

From an outsider it did not look the home of a democratically elected popular president>

[linazelle]

4. kick

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. My BIL and FIL went to NYC and DC on vacation

saw the scotus, capitol, ground zero.

Could not get anywhere near the WH, BUT the Capitol teemed with people and very few security types in sight.

Guess * doesn't think much of the congress if he is leaving them exposed?

[Marymarg]

6. My daughter lives in D.C.

When I have expressed my concerns for her safety, she assures me that she is as safe or safer there than anywhere. She says that D.C. is like an armed camp. Security is everywhere.
She has also said that it is not nearly as much fun as it was (before Bush) and that she is coming home (to Texas) if Bush loses and will stay if Kerry wins.

[sallydallas124]

7. I thought the part

in F911 w/Lila standing in front of the White House was quite symbolic and moving. The power has been wrenched from the people. She stood their sad, frustrated, confused, angry in front of the people's house, totally inaccessible, surrounded by fencing with snipers on top. Very sad.

[Lizz612]

8. The Mall just looks so ugly right now

Did you see that ugly plywood wall around the Washington Monument? Does that wall really need to enclose that much space? And from an engineering perspecive, how big of a tuck bomb would you need to bring down that huge pile of heavy marble?

Does anyone know when that ugly green tarp fence went up? I don't remember it from the March in April, but it was in F 9/11 when the woman went to DC.