Rocky why do you suspect the description of it being unusually thick? Have you read something or heard something, or do you think the statement is typical Trump Derangement Syndrome?
Somehow my comment got cut off. What I intended was " I suspect that describing it as "an unusually thick layer" Is an attempt to get the less Intelligent to try to peel it off.
I left your comment but I don't understand it. All the conventional news media report that the gilding layer is unusually thick. The statues were in fact originally gilded when installed, but the gilding had worn off over the decades. To my mind the question is why the $$ expenditure now when the American taxpayers are experiencing major financial problems. This was not privately funded.
" the White House has just ordered 250 brand new Cadillac Escalades, giant SUVs which have a suggested retail price of more than $90,000 each and cost significantly more to customize for secure uses.
“We ordered 250 Escalades. That’s how we look sharp in those cavalcades, you know,” Trump said during a rambling, hour-long address at a General Motors facility in Michigan.
“We look sharp in those Escalades. Our guys are very spoiled. They’re very spoiled. They like the Escalade. So do I.”
It's clear that Trump loves the aesthetics of casinos. Tacky, false decor to give the impression of wealth when it is, in fact, rather cheaply made. That's Trump at his core: style over substance.
After seeing your post yesterday, I biked by on my way home. One of them is fully unveiled now, the second is coming out, and the third and fourth ones are still covered.
The problem here is not that these statues didn't need some work. After decades of Republicans (and Democrats) proudly and loudly complaining that the National Mall, which is run as a National Park by the NPS, is too expensive, there is plenty to spruce up.
The problem is that the current president is personally picking projects he cares about, and many of them, turning the Mall into a construction zone. Just to list some things.
* The White House is still fenced in from Constitution (B St) to G Sts and from 15th to 18th. That's a huge chunk of downtown DC that is utterly inaccessible. For tourists, and also for bikers, because an important cross-town bike lane runs through LaFayette Square. Good luck on the side-walk dodging tourists, bikers! All this of course for the destruction of the East Wing. * The junk from the East Wing destruction is being dumped on several spots in West-Potomac park. Maybe somewhat ignored by tourists, but very popular by locals (and congressional staffers) because there are a bunch of beach volleyball and baseball fields. * Also on West-Potomac park, a monument is being built for Desert Storm. More construction. * The nearby Reflecting Pool is still fenced in, limiting your walking options from the Lincoln to the WWII monuments. * These statues are behind the Lincoln Monument. More fences. * Between the Lincoln Monument and the Reflecting Pool, two giant flags have appeared that are being sold as a temporary Veteran's Monument. Because right between the Vietnam and Korean Monuments, who was thinking about veterans? * East Potomac Park is also a mess as the fight over control over the golf course there continues. * The center of the Mall has been a construction zone for months now due to the build-up before and reseeding after the Great State Fair. * Also on the center of the Mall, construction has started for the stands for the car race that will be held in a few months, blocking views and side-walks. * Around the same area, the sculpture garden of the Hirshhorn is under constructions. Etc.
Meanwhile, there is zero co-ordination with DC locals. Not the Mayor, not the City Council, and certainly not any of the (too) many conservation boards DC has. As if Washingtonians don't exist and don't have their own wish-lists of what needs fixing first. And with perhaps the exception of Malcolm X/Meridian park, I don't think there's very little overlap between what Washingtonians want and what's being fixed.
All this is a good reminder that Washingtonians still don't have Congressional Representation and need to rely on good-will of Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland politicians to get something done in Congress. And while well-willing, those are currently otherwise occupied.
He likes the gaudiness of the baroque/rococco period especially France. The French have a complicated system of upkeep regarding heritage sites. Better funded but still a money pit. The two are not comparable, but interesting to look up: combination of philanthropy lottery revenue donations etc. Obviously it's the main tourist attraction so they have to. The Notre dames structure was failing before donations poured in to rebuild it.
Bringing the "grandeur" of an old city into a country that's only 250 years old overnight is not financially possible.
When I see the new "decor" I am reminded of Versailles and we know how that went.
Bringing the "grandeur" of an old city into a country that's only 250 years old overnight is not financially possible.
Note that I am not commenting on the improvements being made. Just that there's too many at the same time, no coordination, and quite frankly, a lot of money being wasted on nonsense.
DC can look a lot better. It's not hard. It's a neglected city because of its lack of representation, and flat-out hostility by many (mostly Republican) politicians.
But leave it to the NPS and DC. Do some normal politics to make them work together better. And you can have a wonderful Capital that can compete in let's say 500 years with London, a 1000 years with Paris, in 2000 years with Rome and Athens, and a few millennia with some of the much older Egyptian, Middle-Eastern and Asian cities.
I completely agree with you and wasn't aware that Washington is not involved in its own city planning.
I was adding to your comment based on the post itself that he is trying to copy versailles. He's not interested in basic improvement or upkeep. Even creating or trying to an arc de triumphed which has nothing to do with Washington's history. *triomphe*
wasn't aware that Washington is not involved in its own city planning.
DC politicians can only do what Congress (or better the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) allows them to do. When Democrats control that, they mostly let DC do its thing. Republicans love meddling with local DC affairs. They are racist and love showing that white people can still push black people around. Legally.
Remember this next time when someone mentions DC statehood.
DC, Amtrak, USDOT and Congress have been working for years to come up with a way to improve Union Station. This is sorely needed. The Mall that's in front of the actual train station has been limping along, and the train station itself is just outdated and dingy.
Similarly, MWAA (the DC/VA airport authority), VA, United and the Feds have been working for years on a way to improve Dulles. First POTUS wanted his name on the airport, and now he wants golden mirrors and a parking garage more than doubling the amount of parking. Not necessary, especially a few years after a metroline was extended to the airport.
These two plans will in the end happen, because everybody wants them to, but this meddling is just wasting time and money.
Codex I forgot. Apollos fountain in versailles was restored prior to the Olympics after being neglected for 40 years. Have a look. Similarity not a coincidence.
Can I make a small request? You sign in with your username first, then begin your comment. The way it gets formatted by Blogspot makes it look like you are addressing Codex (even without the standard colon after the name). It confused me at first and may puzzle other infrequent visitors. Might you consider signing your comment at the end rather than the beginning? No big deal, and your choice of course.
Codex: @Stan My username is always at the top. There are other platforms I use and signing in sometimes doesn't work. This way people can also skip past my comment if uninterested. I type very fast and often miss the colon key/pad. If I'm using other devices autocorrect sometimes thinks it's code or a url. I'll see if I can come up with something.
I suspect That describing it as "an unusually thick layer"
ReplyDeleteRocky why do you suspect the description of it being unusually thick? Have you read something or heard something, or do you think the statement is typical Trump Derangement Syndrome?
DeleteSomehow my comment got cut off. What I intended was " I suspect that describing it as "an unusually thick layer" Is an attempt to get the less Intelligent to try to peel it off.
DeleteI left your comment but I don't understand it. All the conventional news media report that the gilding layer is unusually thick. The statues were in fact originally gilded when installed, but the gilding had worn off over the decades. To my mind the question is why the $$ expenditure now when the American taxpayers are experiencing major financial problems. This was not privately funded.
DeleteConsider this news blurb today:
Delete" the White House has just ordered 250 brand new Cadillac Escalades, giant SUVs which have a suggested retail price of more than $90,000 each and cost significantly more to customize for secure uses.
“We ordered 250 Escalades. That’s how we look sharp in those cavalcades, you know,” Trump said during a rambling, hour-long address at a General Motors facility in Michigan.
“We look sharp in those Escalades. Our guys are very spoiled. They’re very spoiled. They like the Escalade. So do I.”
You know who else loved Cadilac's? Frank Salemme, Al Capone, and Mickey Cohen.
DeleteMegalomaniacs gonna megalomaniac, no matter the economy. Barf.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt using his pool painters new LLC to do the work best.
ReplyDeleteCodex
ReplyDeleteNot commenting on what he meant or why he said it.
Public statues are not painted but gold-leafed. Expensive upkeep so they are usually cast in bronze then leafed on top.
Not enough. Gild everything. Better that than spending the money bombing schools.
ReplyDeleteI do hope it sinks in that America isn't really as free as you think it is. Any definition of free, froggy.
Also, that gilding looks suspiciously close to the colour of Lindt Golden Bunny wrappers...
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that Trump loves the aesthetics of casinos. Tacky, false decor to give the impression of wealth when it is, in fact, rather cheaply made. That's Trump at his core: style over substance.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing your post yesterday, I biked by on my way home. One of them is fully unveiled now, the second is coming out, and the third and fourth ones are still covered.
ReplyDeleteThe problem here is not that these statues didn't need some work. After decades of Republicans (and Democrats) proudly and loudly complaining that the National Mall, which is run as a National Park by the NPS, is too expensive, there is plenty to spruce up.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/national-mall-wont-be-stimulated/1860264/
The problem is that the current president is personally picking projects he cares about, and many of them, turning the Mall into a construction zone. Just to list some things.
* The White House is still fenced in from Constitution (B St) to G Sts and from 15th to 18th. That's a huge chunk of downtown DC that is utterly inaccessible. For tourists, and also for bikers, because an important cross-town bike lane runs through LaFayette Square. Good luck on the side-walk dodging tourists, bikers! All this of course for the destruction of the East Wing.
* The junk from the East Wing destruction is being dumped on several spots in West-Potomac park. Maybe somewhat ignored by tourists, but very popular by locals (and congressional staffers) because there are a bunch of beach volleyball and baseball fields.
* Also on West-Potomac park, a monument is being built for Desert Storm. More construction.
* The nearby Reflecting Pool is still fenced in, limiting your walking options from the Lincoln to the WWII monuments.
* These statues are behind the Lincoln Monument. More fences.
* Between the Lincoln Monument and the Reflecting Pool, two giant flags have appeared that are being sold as a temporary Veteran's Monument. Because right between the Vietnam and Korean Monuments, who was thinking about veterans?
* East Potomac Park is also a mess as the fight over control over the golf course there continues.
* The center of the Mall has been a construction zone for months now due to the build-up before and reseeding after the Great State Fair.
* Also on the center of the Mall, construction has started for the stands for the car race that will be held in a few months, blocking views and side-walks.
* Around the same area, the sculpture garden of the Hirshhorn is under constructions.
Etc.
Meanwhile, there is zero co-ordination with DC locals. Not the Mayor, not the City Council, and certainly not any of the (too) many conservation boards DC has. As if Washingtonians don't exist and don't have their own wish-lists of what needs fixing first. And with perhaps the exception of Malcolm X/Meridian park, I don't think there's very little overlap between what Washingtonians want and what's being fixed.
All this is a good reminder that Washingtonians still don't have Congressional Representation and need to rely on good-will of Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland politicians to get something done in Congress. And while well-willing, those are currently otherwise occupied.
Thank you, Nepkarel. I was born (literally) in Washington, D.C. and I'm sorry to hear of the area being so badly treated.
DeleteCodex
DeleteThank you as well, nepkarel.
He likes the gaudiness of the baroque/rococco period especially France. The French have a complicated system of upkeep regarding heritage sites. Better funded but still a money pit. The two are not comparable, but interesting to look up: combination of philanthropy lottery revenue donations etc.
Obviously it's the main tourist attraction so they have to.
The Notre dames structure was failing before donations poured in to rebuild it.
Bringing the "grandeur" of an old city into a country that's only 250 years old overnight is not financially possible.
When I see the new "decor" I am reminded of Versailles and we know how that went.
Bringing the "grandeur" of an old city into a country that's only 250 years old overnight is not financially possible.
DeleteNote that I am not commenting on the improvements being made. Just that there's too many at the same time, no coordination, and quite frankly, a lot of money being wasted on nonsense.
DC can look a lot better. It's not hard. It's a neglected city because of its lack of representation, and flat-out hostility by many (mostly Republican) politicians.
But leave it to the NPS and DC. Do some normal politics to make them work together better. And you can have a wonderful Capital that can compete in let's say 500 years with London, a 1000 years with Paris, in 2000 years with Rome and Athens, and a few millennia with some of the much older Egyptian, Middle-Eastern and Asian cities.
Codex@nepkarel
DeleteI completely agree with you and wasn't aware that Washington is not involved in its own city planning.
I was adding to your comment based on the post itself that he is trying to copy versailles. He's not interested in basic improvement or upkeep. Even creating or trying to an arc de triumphed which has nothing to do with Washington's history. *triomphe*
wasn't aware that Washington is not involved in its own city planning.
DeleteDC politicians can only do what Congress (or better the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) allows them to do. When Democrats control that, they mostly let DC do its thing. Republicans love meddling with local DC affairs. They are racist and love showing that white people can still push black people around. Legally.
Remember this next time when someone mentions DC statehood.
Other examples of POTUS messing with DC.
Deletehttps://www.enr.com/articles/63377-usdot-scraps-approved-washington-union-station-expansion-plan
DC, Amtrak, USDOT and Congress have been working for years to come up with a way to improve Union Station. This is sorely needed. The Mall that's in front of the actual train station has been limping along, and the train station itself is just outdated and dingy.
Too bad. Plan scrapped.
https://www.notus.org/metro/dulles-airport-parking-garage-trump
Similarly, MWAA (the DC/VA airport authority), VA, United and the Feds have been working for years on a way to improve Dulles. First POTUS wanted his name on the airport, and now he wants golden mirrors and a parking garage more than doubling the amount of parking. Not necessary, especially a few years after a metroline was extended to the airport.
These two plans will in the end happen, because everybody wants them to, but this meddling is just wasting time and money.
Where does the money for all this stuff come from?
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6suNLuF9LHs
https://macfarlanenews.substack.com/p/trump-turns-national-parks-into-piggybank
Codex
ReplyDeleteI forgot. Apollos fountain in versailles was restored prior to the Olympics after being neglected for 40 years. Have a look. Similarity not a coincidence.
Can I make a small request? You sign in with your username first, then begin your comment. The way it gets formatted by Blogspot makes it look like you are addressing Codex (even without the standard colon after the name). It confused me at first and may puzzle other infrequent visitors. Might you consider signing your comment at the end rather than the beginning? No big deal, and your choice of course.
DeleteCodex standard colon
DeleteBetter?
Codex:
ReplyDelete@Stan
My username is always at the top. There are other platforms I use and signing in sometimes doesn't work. This way people can also skip past my comment if uninterested.
I type very fast and often miss the colon key/pad.
If I'm using other devices autocorrect sometimes thinks it's code or a url.
I'll see if I can come up with something.
Never mind. Just ignore my comment.
Deletestan
Putting "Codex" at the beginning of the comment makes the comment read like it is an explanation of the word "codex", it never is.
ReplyDeletePutting "Codex" at the end of the comment makes it read like a signature: "This is my comment, signed, Codex".
Codex
DeleteThanks, anon.
See explanation above and this is not a formal letter but usually a very quick comment.