Raoul’s Two Cents: November 8, 2024

Strange Day at the Nation’s Capital

I’m back! Two weeks away from home and I’m back in the saddle. It’s nice to see that the world held together even without me. I guess the world doesn’t revolve around me after all — what a relief!

The election is finally over. I was prepared for anything because we’ve got some crazy people on either sides of the extreme political spectrum. Before I left I stacked up on canned goods and security measures for my wife to cope while I was away. I prepared my ballot for her to drop at the ballot box in case I was delayed in returning. So glad no rebellion happened on election day.

You may laugh at my extra precaution but when I was there in Washington DC, the White House, the Capitol building, the Treasury building, etc — were all fenced in. Indeed, the government was ready for any kind of attack. I guess brilliant minds think alike.

But lest you think DC is full of serious people, let me share some light moments.

While I was touring the Capital, a guy from Tennessee inquired why I was taking pictures of the penthouse of one of the buildings around the White House. I pointed to him two people who were looking down from the flat roof. “A strategic spot for an assassination attempt” I told him. He didn’t know if I was serious or joking. Realizing it was indeed a silly notion, I pretended I was joking. Well, one conversation led to another and we decided to tour together.

All the while I’m thinking, he reminded me of someone … someone really important … someone OLD and really important. “Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Joe Biden?” I asked. He said quite a few people have said so. We laughed.

So I decided to send our selfies to my friends saying I was with the “big guy.” A few of them actually believed me. I was thinking of cashing in on this golden opportunity. In my mind I was creating a movie of him wandering aimlessly at the Washington Mall. That video would have gone viral. But of course my more mature personality kicked in … and spoiled my fun.

There was a strange bronze statue on top of a table and a (fake) security guard was standing beside it. It was a giant turd. I asked the guard what this was all about and he said I should read the plaque. I did. And it turned out that this sculpture protested the atrocities of the “evil” demonstrators who stormed the Capitol building on January 20, 2020. I may not agree with the sentiments but I thought it was unique, clever and funny.

There were other strange protestors — some angry women with pro-abortion signs tucked away in their oversized bags walking feverishly. Their looks could kill you … with laughter! There was a homeless guy smoking weed with hundreds of signs around his shelter. He hated so many things it was hard to tell what he was fighting for. There were street preachers, Halloween costumed Mexicans, an entourage of a Mexican wedding, a coat and tie wedding scene under the DC War Memorial and a guy in a wheelchair who tried so hard to look cool with strange diagrams on his sign that his message got lost in translation.

It was a strange day indeed. Paul McCartney must have had a similar strange day when he penned the words to “Penny Lane.” Here’s my short version:

In Washington, there is a fortress called the White House.
Instead of “welcome,” the tourists were turned down.
Lots of crazy people shaking placards in your face
What a big disgrace!

CHORUS
Washington, is in my ears and in my eyes!
There around this old historic town —
you see the soldiers and the clowns.

If you plan to visit Washington I would not visit during the election season … unless of course you can find humor in the strangest things.

TGIF people!

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“Whenever you’re faced with an explanation of what’s going on in Washington, the choice between incompetence and conspiracy, always choose incompetence.”— Charles Krauthammer

“The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn’t for any religious reasons. They couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin.” — Jay Leno

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Alex of Riverside, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, CA

Thanks to Colleen of Washington State

Thanks to Brian of Philadelphia

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Norm of Sherman Oaks, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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