International Photo Walk in Washington, D.C.

 Renwick Gallery Façade (13 October 2012)

Last Saturday, I joined a group of camera people for this year’s World Wide Photo Walk.  Just as bird watchers all over the globe conduct their Christmas Day Survey, shooters around the world gather in interesting places for a few hours of strolling and picture-taking.  This was the 5^th annual event.  It was organized by Scott Kelby, the Editor of Photoshop User Magazine and groups in over 1300 locales took part.  Of course, I am fortunate to live close to the capitol of our country...photogenic place that it is. 

At 8:00 AM, we met in McPherson Square and walked to the White House.  I found the early morning light and heavy shadows did not make for promising pictures.  However, across the street is the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery, where fine craft and decorative objects are displayed.  The image above shows the sunlit exterior of the building above the entry.

Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) (13 October 2012)

Also right next to the White House is the Old Executive Office Building, where various Administration functions are located.  Completed in 1888, this French Second Empire style building was the largest office building in D.C. at the time.  Since the morning sun was shining on the other side, this view was almost devoid of color.  It seemed a logical decision to finish it as a black and white image so the lines and details could be appreciated.

EEOB and Lamp (13 October 2012)

Photographing buildings is often not easy, especially in a city where other buildings are close by.  You can step back only so far and there are few good viewing angles.  The further back you go, the more extraneous objects become part of your scene...other buildings, signs, streets and traffic.  They can’t all be photo shopped out.  An alternative is to find something appealing in a portion of the structure.  Fill the frame with an object and/or some detail of the building that can make an attractive composition.

Five Fences to the South Lawn (13 October 2012)

After the EOB, we started to wander and act less like a group.  The plan was to end up at the WW II Memorial so I headed in that direction before the others.  This image was taken from as close as I could get to the White House on this day.  There was once a time when one could poke a camera through the bars of that ONE fence and take pictures of the beautiful grounds and majestic residence.  I hope the lack of access was a temporary thing...extra precautions for a special event.  It’s never encouraging for freedom when “extra precautions” become standard, every day procedures.

Washington, D.C. WW I Memorial (13 October 2012)

On the south side of the Mall, between the WW II and Korean War Memorials, is the charming and neglected World War I Memorial.  Dedicated by President Hoover in 1931, it identifies and commemorates the citizens from the nation’s capital who made the ultimate sacrifice in (what we thought was) ‘The War to End All Wars’...right.

The World War II Memorial became a special experience and I will make a separate post about it next month on Veteran’s Day.

When I am King - # 1 – Voting Will be Compulsory

Long After the Primary (2 May 2012)

It’s Election Season and I’ve reached that point again, where I must set aside Dead Presidents and State Capitols and go off on something that’s bugged me for a long time.  In fact, this is a good time to introduce the first installment in a new series – When I Am King. 

I suspect that many people have their list of pet peeves they would correct if they were in charge.  Since I don’t expect to be King any time soon, I can at least promote them here...just as long as the rant includes an image or two.  The other illustrations are from my (dare I say?) complete collection of ‘Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year’, a fine series that began when Tricky Dick was president.

One quarter of all eligible voters in this country are not even registered.  While the presidential races bring out nearly 60% of the voters, the Congressional elections can’t prompt even half of us to get off our lazy butts.  In the 2010 mid-term elections, only 16 of the 50 states and D.C. had turnouts above 50% of the eligible voters.  That means that if all the people who stayed away from the polls had their votes given to me, I could be your senator now.  Think about that.  This is not democracy.

 Cartoon by Dana Summers, Orlando Sentinel (1983). 

Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year – 1983 Edition, Pelican Publishing, LA

As I researched this proposition, I found a number of reasons to be against mandatory voting...but I don’t buy them.  Some don’t think it is right to coerce voting.  It seems that Americans don’t like to be forced to do anything, no matter how correct it is.  We appear to view voting as a right but not a responsibility.  Is this part of that American Exceptionalism we keep hearing about?  Because God made America the best country ever, we have this screwed-up idea that important rights like this can be ignored?  Not when I’m King!  Voting is a civic duty.  It’s one of the most important rights we have and it matters because the vote of the guy who picks up your trash counts just as much as Bill Gates’ vote.

It’s important to note that I would be a benevolent King...one that would not tell anyone WHO they must vote for...but they must vote.  Too many people around the world have fought and died for the right that Americans so cavalierly disregard.  It’s just not right.  

Cartoon by Ann Telnaes, North America Syndicate (1996). 

 Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year – 1997 Edition, Pelican Publishing, LA

Over twenty countries have some form of compulsory voting laws.  In Australia, which has had mandatory voting since 1924, failing to vote can result in fines and other penalties.  This is not a new idea.

Some are concerned that forcing every ignoramus to vote will further dumb down the elections.  I believe we can elevate the discourse and improve the electorate’s sense of responsibility.  Some believe that not voting is a form of political expression...fine.  Include ‘None of the Above’ on the ballot and express yourself in person.  

  Don Wright, Palm Beach Post (2006)

[[Clipped from the Washington Post and saved]]

As if apathy wasn’t enough, there are now concerted efforts to suppress voters further.  I don’t understand why more of the public isn’t outraged over the spate of voter identification laws.  You think this effort by the Freedom-loving party to take away our freedoms is a coincidence that just happened after the black guy was elected president?  From the party of Lincoln, my Aunt Fanny. 

I think they may soon have to change its name to the Southern Christian White Man’s Party.  It sees the nation’s population changing and knows its radical policies can’t win over the new constituencies.  They would rather take away a fundamental American right from others so that more of their faithful base tips the vote.  They don’t care if they win a state by 12-10. 

If I had my way, elections would be voided unless at least 90% of the eligible votes are cast.  Make no mistake...these are not fraud prevention laws.  They are voter suppression laws and we should be going ballistic at the thought that our elected representatives are trying to prevent registered voters from doing what free people do. 

There are many public aid groups that mobilize to register voters and obtain the required identification cards for voters who need them.  If I were King, EVERYONE of voting age would already be REQUIRED to vote and having an ID would already be part of the deal.  Voter ID laws would not be necessary.  Pollsters wouldn’t have to categorize respondents into categories related to their likelihood of voting.  Finally, all the resources spent to find, register and, sadly, bribe or drag the sorry millions of apathetic and inconvenienced Americans to the polls would be unnecessary.  Think about it.