bkpick

I just had to respond to Kathleen. My husband and I took our three children to D.C. last week. We live in Wisconsin and none of us had ever been there. We just felt a need to go after all that has happened. I didn't feel the police presence was excessive. We noticed it more at the airports than in the city itself. When we walked by the white house there were only two policemen (One on horseback). They were both very friendly. When we went in the museums they checked our bags, but they were friendly and things went pretty smooth. We learned to travel light. The heaviest security we encountered was at the Veterans day service in Arlington, but even that was to be expected since the vice president spoke. One advantage of going now was the crowds were very light. There are so many good reasons to go to Washington d.c. that I would hate for anyone to stay away because Kathleen was negative. We had a wonderful week there and would go back in a heartbeat.

Kathleen

I guess the question is this: Is 100 police around the Capital enough, or 200, or 300 , or 400? When does it reach a point that people start thinking, "boy this place is really scary I want to go back home to Duluth, MN, and its relative safety.

This at a time when the mayor of Washington is trying to promote tourism. The White House and Capital (closed) were two of the best attractions in town.

Also the security is getting worse every week according to people I talked to. So those of you who have not been to WDC in the last few weeks, things are changing quickly.

Impartial Observer

I think I would tend to believe Kathleen before the Fodor's DC Cheerleading Squad (Leone, Head Cheerleader). The opinion of someone who does not see the same thing every day is of much more value than someone who is there all the time and overlooks things. So Kathleen, if it's any consolation to you, I will not be going to DC anytime soon, based on your opinion.

Really

You have to remember Kathleen lives in Toledo, Ohio, not exactly a hot bed for terrorist or any kind of other activity. The most exciting thing to happen there in the last couple of months was a freighter got stuck in the Maumee River and K, works for an oldies radio station. HO!HUM! How exciting is that???

Thyra

Maybe I am alone on this but seeing more security makes me feel safer and then I have a better time.
My husband and I travel all over the world and for what it's worth, it's sort of shocking to see the lack of security that formerly existed at our national monuments, airports and federal buildings. In every other country I have travelled to, national monuments, government buildings and the like usually have armed military personell all over the place, very visible, very active. Frankly I think we've been very VERY lucky that we have not been attacked before this.
I plan to travel as usual, and take comfort from the fact that we, as a country are taking public security more seriously then we have in the past.
Admittedly it's sad that there should have to be armed guards anywhere in the world, but it's a reality that IMHO, we should just try to make the best of.

bkpick

To Impartial Observer: Please go to Washington d.c. if you have wanted to. Like I just posted, my family and I are from Wisconsin. We were just there last week and had a wonderful time. I think some people are just trying to see the negative. Police are not a bad thing. I was brought up to respect and be thankful for them. If we all stay home the terrorists have accomplished their mission. Making us all afraid to live our lives. I for one refuse to be intimidated.

Leone

If you have any sense of my postings, you sort of expect me to go my own way. Thus it should come as no surprise that I do not care whether you believe me or not about DC. We do have some problems here (see the front page of the Post today), and perhaps the Secret Service may overreact from time to time. But the authorities are doing a basically decent job offering us security. Not perfect, but then what is. Lets face it, DC is a target, and where most of you live is not. So, unless you're missed your Ovaltine this morning, you've got to expect some changes. Think back to late September ... people were saying the last rites over Reagan National. Rather idiotic, as we said at the time ... but still they yammered ... just like this latest flock of amazers. But then, I'd prefer to take the high road, so I'll just wave a finger in their direction so they know they're still number one with me. Ciao

Amy at the Capitol

Note: The Capitol is open. You can wait in line and get a red coat tour just like you could before September 11.

Washingtonperson

The US Capital is closed. I tried to get a tour there yestrday.

stan

======
<Author: Leone ([email protected])
Date: 11/19/2001, 03:26 pm

I am not going
to waste anymore time on this issue. I trust most posters will be able to sort
this out for themselves. Ciao>
======

Did anyone, even for a split second, actually beleive this?

Tom

Yes, I believed the actual poster. Haven't you seen all the articles about the three most important sites being closed in Washington: White House, Capital and FBI Tour. What is left for the tourists?

Beth

What is left for the tourists -- have you ever been here???!!! The museums on the mall -- would take days to see everything. Arlington Cemetary, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, National Cathedral, and far too much else to mention. Touring the White House has always been too difficult, most tourists give up. I've lived here 20 years and have never toured the FBI -- other posts on this site say it's overrated. Not being able to get into the Capitol is the major disappointment -- but it's still a breathtaking view from the outside on the vista of the mall.

They have to protect the seat of government and the home of the President. But there is SO MUCH else to see and do, closing those two buildings does not shutter the city. Good grief!

ilisa

Well, if you think Washington, DC is only about the White House, Capitol and FBI tours, then perhaps you should stay home. There is so much more to the city than just those three things. And while you complainers are all sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, how about giving a thought to all those police that so disturb you who have to work and would give their lives for you?

Leone

Is this a real problem? Those of us who know DC, who live and work here, are trying to be rational with some emotional types who do not, who seem inclined to spout the worst info. about this city. Even pre-11th there were folks who bashed DC at every opportunity. Post-11th they seem to jump on the closure of National, predicitng it would never open again. What is it about DC that attracts such attention ... people who would post the sky is falling, then draw the most dire conclusions. I had to laugh ... oh, horros, the FBI tour is not available, all is lost. Excuse me while I yawn. Was anyone ever impressed by that cheesey tourist event? Come on, lets be serious. That leaves the White House and the Capitol ... and if I had to bet, I'd think the WH might be open again ... before we expect. W is getting heat. DC is still terrific to visit ... we are open for business, and you will be welcomed. Don't allow a few naysayers to keep you from visiting. There's probably about zip going on in their hometowns, and they're just bored and envious. Ciao

xx

Tom-What about the Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Vietnam Memorial etc.? IMO, you don't know your geography very well.

Kathleen-You should be thankful you don't live in a country where women have rights and don't have to live in fear and wear coverings from their head to their toes. You want to see real security-go visit Israel...

xx

Tom-What about the Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Vietnam Memorial etc.? IMO, you don't know your geography very well.

Kathleen-You should be thankful you don't live in a country where women don't have rights and don't have to live in fear and wear coverings from their head to their toes. You want to see real security-go visit Israel...

Ann

I have a fan!

Roger-never did dance at 1720, because everyone knew that's where the middle-aged guys with comb-overs hung out. And I lied a little. I was never that scantily dressed while at GW. Sorry to mess with your fantasies.

Yes, Leone is our head cheerleader for the DC area. And why not? It's one of the most beautiful cities in the world, filled to bursting with some of the brightest and most interesting people in the world, and dammit, it is the most powerful city in the world.

Yet, DC has its faults, like every city, and they get under my skin every day. After all, those brilliant people all seem to lose 65 IQ points when they get behind the wheel of a car, or shop at Fresh Fields (they wouldn't be caught dead in Giant), and they always like to cut in front of me at the dry cleaners. Traffic is absolutely horrendous. It's even awful on the weekends and at 11 p.m.

So while I may not spend the rest of my life in DC, I (and Leone and the rest of us) will continue to tout its virtues and encourage people to visit and move here. I've loved it since 1987.

You can tell that I'm just trying to kill time before I get to start sitting in traffic at 2 p.m.

Leone

Well said, Ann. DC is in great hands with folks like you. Have a great Thanksgiving, and a safe drive home. But, I must insist ... some of us do shop at both Giant and Fresh Fields, LOL. Recently I was $1.26 short at the Duke Street Giant ... a Ms. Lewis, the checker, reached in her pocket and put her own money into the till. Of course store 162 (I believe) now has a life-long customer. Ciao