Our Morning Roundup: Hung Up Edition

Caroline Jones — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:55:15 +0000

Good Morning, City Desk readers! While City Paper is busy commemorating Sexist Day here at the office, all sorts of newsy events are happening all over the city, so here it is.

Alexandria Police Chief David P. Baker announced his retirement yesterday afternoon, ending a 40-year career in law enforcement. This comes in the aftermath of his arrest on DUI charges Saturday night, following an accident that sent another driver to the hospital. The best part about retiring now is that Baker gets to retain his full benefits, regardless of the outcome of today's court hearing in Arlington.

Sonia Sotomayor is one step closer to joining the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to endorse the candidate, sending her nomination to a full Senate vote next week. She's expected to be confirmed with little struggle, but as usual, party affiliations are limiting unanimous support.
Bruce Johnson is wondering why so many businesses are leaving Cleveland Park. If major corporations like Starbucks and McDonalds decide to leave the neighborhood and their space can't be filled for upwards of five years, there just might be a problem.

Borderstan is busy reporting local crimes, some occurring in broad daylight. Highlights include a car break-in at 9:30 am and a foiled rooftop burglar on Church Street NW.

It's no longer news that President Obama and the Democratic leadership are determined to push through their first attempt at health-care reform before the August recess. When Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) announced to his constituency that he would vote for the health-care bill, they were upset. So upset, in fact, that they hung him in effigy during a rally in Salisbury. Perhaps Kratovil should spend the recess in Washington so as to avoid some of these more fanatic citizens.

The Democrats' honeymoon is over. After six months of working together in supposed harmony, it's back to name calling and back room deals. So says Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who's blaming the obstruction of the Blue Dogs on Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Apparently he recruited them to run while still serving in Congress and has since failed to get them on board with the President's grand plans for reform. Politics as usual, it's how the federal government runs.

City Desk » frank kratovil

Our Morning Roundup: Hung Up Edition