CBC members are (for the most part) fasting for Darfur

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus say they want President Obama to make the crisis in Darfur a top priority, and to show that they mean business they are fasting for the cause.

Well, the fast will be limited. On a rotating basis, that is. Actually, each person will fast for up to a few days at a time. And just through Congress’ adjournment in August.

Way to be tough. Yep. That should do it.

If you want to fast for Darfur, and for longer than a few days, go to Darfur Fast For Life.

An unwelcome welcome center

Capitol Hill's new visitor center opens today in DC almost four years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. Yes, hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. The initial cost was estimated to be $71 million. The final price: $621 million.

Are you kidding me? $621 million for a welcome center? Does this welcome center include universal healthcare? Can I include one more question mark in this paragraph before it gets annoying?

Apparently, since 9/11, the scope of the project changed due to an increase in security measures, says Spokesperson Sharon Gang. But according to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the outrageous costs were also due to, surprise surprise, wasteful contracts and a lack of congressional oversight. Sounds familiar.

It reminds me of how awkward I feel when I see grand, ornate churches that were built by the poor, for a religion that is supposed to take care of the poor. Is that what god really wants? Would Jesus care if the nails in his hands are made of gold? He might prefer some sort of foam, actually.

Recently, I visited the NASA Goddard Space & Flight Center in Maryland and I was initially shocked the campus was so ugly and drab. I felt like I was at the Los Angeles Community College or something. I expected NASA to look really futuristic and sleek, with bathroom faucets that turn on when you put your hands under it. Wait, that's not that cool. They have those at the movie theaters now. But then I actually felt relieved that our tax dollars weren't going to expensive, beautiful buildings or marble floors imported from some remote village in Italy where only donkeys can carry the marble from the top of the mountain to the lowlands.

A $621 million Capitol Hill visitor center is the kind of thing that makes an ordinary tax payer feel confused and hopeless. Oh, and by the way, the opening ceremony? Closed to the public.

I might miss "a new birth of freedom"

I was having brunch with a friend today, and we were discussing our brilliantly unique idea of traveling to Washington, D.C. for Inauguration Day. I was so excited when I left. I immediately got to work, researching transportation, lodging, tickets, etc. Countdown on!


Then I realized that our brilliantly unique idea wasn't so unique. And if I can't get a hotel room or reasonably priced airline ticket, the idea won't be so brilliant either.

Apparently a million other people are thinking the same thing. Something about this being an historic election (I crack myself up).

And there's a process for securing the (free) tickets for the swearing-in ceremony. I would have to go through my U.S. Representative or Senator. And even though this is the 21st century, they actually expect me to call them (on the phone!) for the request and to pick up the tickets in person.

(But not to worry. SOME offices are working on taking requests online. And if I lived in the 7th Congressional District of Washington State, I'd already be in business).

The thought of a visit to my U.S. Rep's office, an overpriced airline ticket, a far-flung (cheap) hotel room, and traffic in D.C. on Inauguration Day makes me nauseous.

I might actually have to miss the ceremony. Shoot! And it's got such a catchy theme.