Marion Barry and Taxation without Representation
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Posted by Blake the Megalomaniac (Follow Me)- Blake the Megalomaniac is a graduate of Virginia Tech and now lives the Adams Morgan section of Washington DC. - To see more posts by this author click here |
As a District resident, I’ve been thinking about the pros and the cons to living here in the Nation’s Capital, rather the Capital of the Most Powerful Country in the World (as you know). The biggest con I’ve run across thus far was brought to my consciousness via a good friend over drinks at Buffalo Billiards in Dupont (you’d really be surprised at the amount of sophisticated conversation that goes on there during the week).
Although I knew D.C. wasn’t a state and consequently had few of the rights afforded to the states (including the privilege or the right to have representation in Congress), it didn’t really hit home until I moved here. Frankly, I don’t care about politics. I have a degree in political science mind you, but the cyclical nature of the beast makes being an involved and prudent citizen baffling and this may sound indignant, but I’m sure that’s the way THEY like it.
When you really think about it though, it isn’t so amazing that D.C. has had their right to vote withheld. Regardless of the apparent racial undertones giving D.C. the right to vote has, is it so crazy they’re hesitant when you consider Ward 8, which consists of Anacostia, Barry Farm, Bellevue, Buena Vista, Congress Heights, Douglass, Fairlawn, Garfield Heights, Knox Hill, Shipley Terrace, Washington Highlands, Woodland has elected and relected Marion Barry (since 1992) to the D.C. Council. The DC Council is the end-all-be-all in DC; it’s the legislative branch for all things D.C..
Regardless of all that Barry’s done good for the District, he’s certainly done his fair share to trivialize this place. The latest example, this (from NBC news.com):
“After the D.C. Council voted unanimously to recognize same-sex marriages Tuesday morning, Councilman Marion Barry asked for his vote back, according to Washington Post reporter Tim Craig.
Apparently Mayor for Life, an opponent of the legislation, voted yea without knowing what he was voting on, but he woke up in time to ask that the bill be reconsidered, and the debate that was expected took place, to the relief of all the council members who wanted their two cents on the matter on record.
After an emotional debate, a second vote was taken, and it passed 12-1 with Barry as the lone opponent.”
udothedishes…
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Bravo! Thought I was the only person that thinks the “Mayor for Life” is a sociopath!!!!!!!
He just can’t fathom why a man would want to be with anyone other than a prostitute and a crack pipe. At least he’s voting with his heart.
I think Barry was hedging. He was going to go against the council either way. Pure politics.
This is why he’s Ward 8′s boy: he wins.
Observe:
Scenario 1: The council votes it down. He votes yes and STILL calls for a debate, and comes out looking like the lone liberal, champion of equal rights…yadda, yadda (maybe even invokes the 60′s marches)… Media coverage of his brave stance on the issue ensues.
Result: Barry wins.
Scenario 2 (Reality): The council vote unamimously FOR gay marriage, yet Marion Barry, though he votes yes, holds out, calls for a debate and ultimately votes no…Media coverage of his brave stance on the issue ensues.
Result: Barry wins.
But he wins like a crackhead wins: from one rock to another.
He couldn’t care less about the big picture. The man is dying…but as a “winner,” I guess.