I No Longer Want to Visit Washington, DC

Once there was a time when the thought of visiting our nation’s Capitol would fill me with anticipation and joy. How amazing it was to be able to see the monuments of our founders, the outstanding museums that represented many aspects of our society, to see the place where our laws originated and, at least from a distance, be able to view the White House that was once destroyed by the British, but was resurrected to house the most powerful man on the planet.

I no longer want to visit Washington, DC.

Many months ago, I wrote a post asking for feedback on how safe the city was and sought opinions on whether I should go for a visit. People were very forthcoming, and I decided I would try to convince my husband that it was a good idea.

No more.

Not just because D.C. is not safe, but for many other reasons.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit yesterday demonstrates many of the reasons why I am reluctant to visit. I no longer hold high regard for most of our legislators; in spite of the controversy about Netanyahu’s visit, wouldn’t common decency suggest that he should have been greeted at the airport when he arrived? After all, Mike Johnson had invited him to come. Then during Bibi’s speech, Rashida Tlaib held up a paddle that said, “War Criminal” on one side and “Guilty of Genocide” on the other, with a kaffiyeh draped around her shoulders and working on her cell phone, disrespecting him--on the floor of the House chambers as a Representative of this government and of us. In front of the whole world. It was so ugly and sad.

Aside from the clarity that Netanyahu brought to the event regarding our relationship with Israel, I appreciated his truth-telling when he called the pro-Palestinian demonstrators “useful idiots.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

And while Netanyahu was giving his speech, pro-Palestinian protestors were screaming, acting violently, and desecrating monuments outside nearby. I guess some people are resigned to the spray paint that is used, but I have news for them: it’s illegal! I heard that some people were arrested, but are they still under arrest? Why weren’t those with spray paint stopped in the act and arrested? And did they bring their own American flag to burn, or did they destroy U.S. property? Why did the U.S. Park Police only identify a handful of people who needed to be arrested?

The safety factor is one that stands out in my mind when I think of visiting D.C. But to me, the city is supposed to represent everything that America stands for: liberty, the Republic, the separation of powers, the image of dignity and power that we are sending out to the rest of the world. But I think our image lies in tatters, stomped on, spit on and violated. Those in charge of honoring our heritage symbols are too busy campaigning to notice the destruction happening around them.

It's like watching the American dream go up in smoke.

I can’t bear watching it.