Has D.C. ever hosted a Republican or Democratic Convention? I’m guessing the answer is no, at least not a modern party convention. Sure, this region gets a boost from the federal government every day. Sure, we have (practically) no votes to offer either political party, though Maryland and Virginia certainly do. Yes, I recognize there are very few solid arguments in favor of holding a convention here. But, that is a shame for a few reasons.

This press release from leadership in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, home of this year’s GOP convention, can elaborate reason number one:

“It is estimated that the Convention will bring $150 million to $160 million in economic impact to Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding areas. In addition, more than 2,800 jobs will be created generating more than $100 million in wages. The national exposure that will focus on Minneapolis Saint Paul and the surrounding area will be priceless.”

Money and jobs are good, right? On that we can all agree? Okay. Read the rest of this entry »

Much has been reported on the renewed crew violence in Shaw. On Feb. 18, four youths were shot standing near the Washington Convention Center on 7th Street. In the midst of constant reports of shootings, one 5th Street resident came home to find a bullet through her window. Her response, according to an e-mail posted on a local listserv: “My husband thinks that it was someone shooting at the political sign that I had in the window, but who knows.”

I don’t think this was a joke. Perhaps this bit of info from the Washington Post will bring her up to speed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Big event next Monday in D.C. The authority that operates the Washington Convention Center is holding an event to rename the place in honor of Walter E. Washington.

Here is the critical line from a press release on the topic: “The Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA) announced today plans to host an official dedication ceremony to rename the building the Walter E. Washington Convention Center after the District of Columbia’s first elected mayor.”

Grand idea, in all. Washington was a jolly old fellow. Something of a go-along-to-get-along type, but hey, his heart was in the right place. So no objections to naming the place after Walter E. Washington.

My objection is to the name itself: Take a close look. Right now, the place is called the Washington Convention Center. The guy they’re hoping to honor is Walter E. Washington. The new name, if I read the press release right, is “Walter E. Washington Convention Center.”

That’s bullshit. It should be “Walter E. Washington Washington Convention Center.” This is like calling our landing strip across the river the “Ronald Washington National Airport.” Or calling our low-cost landing strip the “Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Airport.”

How dare the authority dishonor our great first mayor by excluding his last name–his dignity!–from our grand convention center.