In the Wee Small Hours

Dear Mourners:

I hadn't intended to write about this, and I find that I surprise myself to be writing about it, but it has been on my mind more than I had admitted to myself. It's not often that anyone turns to Joseph Stalin as a source of wisdom, but there is truth in what is possibly his most famous quotation: “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” The deaths of the Columbia astronauts are tragedies because they are single deaths. If we had not known the astronauts before, and few of us knew of them, we know them now, and we feel their loss. I'm not sure that there is any lesson to be learned from their deaths, though there are already those who are exploiting them to promote their own political purposes. Some brave people who undertake dangerous tasks will die, and we must accept that, as they did. But these were not people who courted danger simply for the thrill, for the excitement; these were people who endured danger in the course of a cause. That cause is often mistaken for national glory, but the national glory is secondary, a mere byproduct, not the cause itself. The cause is the furtherance of human knowledge, the advancement of science, the exploration of unknown frontiers — and the cause is so grand, the phrases so sweeping, that it is almost embarrassing to name them. In the 1950's and early 1960's, when space exploration was new and people first escaped the world's gravity, orbited the earth, and landed on the moon, everyone was aware of that cause and excited by it. Now, we can forget for years on end that our nation is still engaged in it, and relegate our thoughts of it to science fiction epics. If the Columbia had landed successfully, few of us would have cared or ever heard of its last mission; now, sadly, we are reminded that during our lifetimes people are still engaged in one of the greatest quests that humans have ever undertaken.

Gary Imhoff

themail@dcwatch.com

###############

Major 911 Horror Story
John Aravosis, john@SafeStreetsDC.com

What was already the latest 911 horror story, today got that much bigger. The latest Dupont Current newspaper reports on a January 15 fire at 1617 21st Street, NW. Reportedly, several residents and neighbors tried to call 911 between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., repeatedly, to no avail. Dr. Norman Ristin reports that while he was on hold for 911, he had time to dress, go out to his car, and come back in — and still no one answered. Ristin says he even spoke to a police officer on the street who said he (the officer) had tried to call 911, and couldn't get through for ten minutes. That fire resulted in one destroyed building, three damaged homes, and the death of a man. Laudably, the fire department arrived four minutes after it got the call. But residents say that the time they got through to the fire department was a long time after they'd been trying to call 911.

Equally troubling, Nicholas Gutman, a resident of the now-destroyed building, says that after he escaped the building and came to the aid of a naked, bleeding friend of his who was forced to jump from the third floor, Gutman saw a police car parked in front of the building (he says this was long before the fire engines arrived). Gutman, (who is thirty years old, 5' 8", 140 pounds, blond hair and green eyes), says he ran to the parked police car, knocked on the window, and the officer rolled the window down halfway. Gutman, who says he was now in shock, mumbled the words “help... please... fire.” Gutman says the officer rolled the window back up and drove off without a word.

Well, today things got even worse. Dr. Ristin says the DC police have just informed him that they checked the 911 logs, which are supposed to be super-comprehensive (they even can tell when people call and hang up). Ristin says a police captain just told him that: “There were no 'dropped' calls. There is no record of any call not being answered. The first call registered, and answered, is at 6:01 a.m.” Were all those residents lying about having dialed 911? Ristin now says, “the system did not even register my calls. The system 'is broke.'” Equally troubling, Ristin and his neighbors were told that the police had already taken a copy of an outside security video from the Phillips Collection (which would show the alleged police car, among other facts). The Captain now says he knows nothing about a videotape. Lovely.

###############

Party Pooper
Dorothy Brizill, dorothy@dcwatch.com

Last Wednesday, I wrote in themail that “Team Williams,” a select group of workers in the Committee to Re-Elect Tony Williams, had been invited to an expensive dinner party at the Henley Park Hotel last Friday, and that there were questions about who was picking up the bill. Following my questions on Wednesday afternoon to mayoral aide Peggy Armstrong about the cost, propriety, and payment for the event -- and following the complaints of loyal Williams volunteers who had thought that they were part of the inner circle, but who had not been invited -- an unsigned E-mail was sent on Wednesday evening to all invitees, canceling the event. However, on Thursday afternoon, Gaby Fraser, a Team Williams member and an employee at the DC Department of Employment Services, used her government E-mail address to invite an even larger group of campaign workers to an informal political get-together at Juste's Lounge on 7th Street, near the former campaign headquarters.

On Friday, all 2002 campaign committees had to file their most recent financial reports with the DC Office of Campaign Finance, covering the period from December 10, 2002, through January 30. The vital statistics from Mayor Williams's filing: total amount raised, $2,625,413.89; cash on hand as of January 30, $4,711.97; campaign committee expenditures 12/9/02 through 1/28/03, $92,879.55 (includes $19,575.01 to Holland and Knight for legal fees); outstanding debts and obligations owed by the committee, $37,969.26 (including $13,469.26 to Holland and Knight, $21,500 to public relations consultant Walker Marchant Group, and $3,000 to consultant Laura Schiller). In his weekly press briefing last week, Mayor Williams acknowledged that he may launch a new round of fundraising to repay any ill-gotten funds received from the Washington Teachers Union or other sources. But who would give now who has not already given the maximum amount to the campaign? Moreover, given the fact that a federal grand jury is investigating last summer's petition fraud, Mayor Williams may also need to start fundraising for a legal defense fund.

###############

Online DC Tax Forms
John Whiteside, johnwhiteside at earthlink dot net

This weekend I did my taxes. I used the online tax center on the city's web site to create and file my D40 electronically. Last year, I used the system and it was flawless. This year, not so; it works, but be careful. In several areas where you enter information from your 1040, the questions in the online forms refer you to the wrong line of the 1040 — read carefully. And when it was all complete, it generated a PDF of my tax form — but the PDF was corrupt and one page won't display. Since you can't go back and download another copy, I have no actual copy of the tax form I just filed.

This is why things need to be thoroughly tested before being rolled out to the public. Shame on me for thinking I could actually do my taxes early.

###############

Fire in My Soul — A Biography of Eleanor Holmes Norton
Mark David Richards, Dupont East, mark@bisconti.com

Eleanor Holmes Norton is known locally as DC's warrior on Capitol Hill. She is also known for her “wild woman routine,” a routine I have been told is not an enjoyable experience if you are on the receiving end! To have Eleanor Holmes Norton on your side of an issue is an advantage. As DC's nonvoting delegate, Congresswoman Norton evokes emotions from admiration to anger. Some local democracy activists feel she doesn't solicit enough involvement or gain consent for her policies from local activists. But if she simply asks, those same individuals will be at her side lending a hand in any way they can. Some refuse to call her “Congresswoman” because she is officially DC's “nonvoting Delegate” and they fear the title “Congresswoman” could further confuse an already ignorant American public about DC's third class status. (I never hear anyone calling her “Representative Norton.” I was told that Congress doesn't accept that term since she can't vote, but they do accept “Congresswoman.”)

Despite controversy, “Eleanor” is clearly admired in her home town. In casual conversation, many like to call her “Eleanor” — a friendly gesture suggesting familiarity. She has a favorability rating that could make most political leaders envious! In fact, Eleanor Holmes Norton's life story is in many ways a biography of the District of Columbia. I have heard her tell the fascinating story of how her great grandfather escaped slavery in Virginia and found a safe haven in DC. Now, there is a new book about Eleanor Holmes Norton, called Fire In My Soul. I asked Congresswoman Norton about "her new book" at DC Vote's Champions of Democracy event, at which she received an award and mingled with guests far into the evening. She smiled and clarified that Fire In My Soul is not her book — it is a biography written by one of her admirers, Joan Steinau Lester. Lester unfolds Congresswoman Norton's life in an enjoyable way that reads like a living historical narrative. But only Eleanor Holmes Norton can confirm if all those stories are true! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the movie!

###############

While City Leaders Sleep, A New Paradigm for Public Involvement
Melody R. Webb, melodywebb@lobbyline.com

Lobbyline is pleased to announce that its new paradigm of local civic involvement has contributed to the renewal of a three-year contract between DC Children's Hospital and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. That advocacy campaign included CareFirst parent advocates, public education and outreach, and channeling individual E-mails and administrative complaints through our web site to corporate and government legislators and regulators to push the parties to the new deal. This renewal, whose terms are still being reviewed for changes to the old contract, are said to immediately benefit at least 7800 families, many of whom have critically ill and disabled children and who actively use Children's Hospital. This renewal makes again accessible to Children's Hospital a total of 3.2 million CareFirst subscribers in the Mid-Atlantic region overall. To all of the readers and supporters of themail, I give the salute of Susan Gushue, a CareFirst policyholder parent who says “Thank you so much. I have children who suffer from asthma and seizure disorder and the thought that we would not be able to use Children's was terrifying. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Although leadership on this issue among Washington officials was nonexistent, other officials throughout the Metro region stepped up to the plate. To give thanks to any involved officials on this issue, please visit http://www.lobbyline.com and send our draft E-mail or modify it to create a letter of your own. You can even print and mail the letter from the website.

Let's hope that our local officials will be more responsive to the will of the public on the issue underlying this near-disaster with Children's. Let's hope that DC officials will now clearly see the need to prevent the for-profit conversion bid of CareFirst, which continues despite the deal between Children's and CareFirst. The ill effects of a conversion are most evident in what almost happened in the Children's case. Advocates for health care for the poor and small and individual policyholders must fight the conversion of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. We have seen what profit motives can do to the mission of an insurance provider. It can rip away the care from an entity that prides itself on care first. It can place second the health of a community by an entity that prides itself on prioritizing the community's health first. If CareFirst, as a for-profit-to-be, can be drawn to business deals that jeopardize the health of the community's children, CareFirst the for-profit indeed can do far worse. Let's oppose the conversion. We want to enlarge, not shrink health coverage for our most vulnerable uninsured and insured population. For more information on the conversion, contact Sam Jordan of Health Care Now! at http://www.healthcarenow.org and go to http://www.carefirstwatch.org.

Our experiences this last month illustrate the real need for a health care ombudsman in DC Families USA has been toiling with others in this area. In conjunction with organizations like that of Sam Jordan, of Health Care Now, whose aim is to further the cause “to rationalize health care in the Washington Metropolitan area and across the nation,” Lobbyline counts advocacy of a health care ombudsman among its future projects. Lobbyline's mission is to use a combination of the best web-based technology and traditional advocacy strategies to train and empower citizens on the local level to influence corporate and government decision-makers in order to benefit their local and national communities. Did you file an administrative complaint regarding the CareFirst-Children's matter with the Washington, Virginia, or Maryland insurance commissioners, complaining about deceptive marketing practices by Care First in the fall/winter of 2002, during enrollment periods? In light of the contract extension, your complaint may be affected. Please feel free to contact Sue Frazier-Harris at worknomoresue@hotmail.com regarding developments in this regard.

###############

Presidential Primaries vs. Primary Medical Services
S.C. Payne, SusannaPayne@aol.com

It's comforting to see that Tim Cooper has found yet another cause to ensure DC keeps remembering his name. Of course he can devote his attention to matters of great significance to the nation's capitol like presidential primary dates and antenna towers, because if he gets hit in the head with "falling ice" he has a free ambulance service provided to him from another state. Somehow, the hypocrisy of this must elude Cooper as he champions for DC statehood, while perfectly content to rely on another state for New Columbia's emergency medical services. Or, could it be that Cooper is secretly desiring to be annexed by Montgomery County? Last year, as Ambassador-at-large (one of his many self anointed titles), Cooper spoke before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and said, “I know that there are limits to patience. I know that people ask how long is too long to wait for freedom?” Had you truly been interested in equality, you could have saved your air fare, Mr. Ambassador, and strolled across the Anacostia to the “other” DC, which has awaited for a voice to arrive that will speak for their basic human right of equal medical services. In the words of Charles de Montesquieu, “the love of democracy is that of equality.”

The continued inequality of the arrangement between Ward 3 only and the state of Maryland, has an overall disparate impact on the District of Columbia in general, and in the provision of Emergency Medical Services and the EMS Field Providers specifically. This arrangement compels the taxpayers of Maryland to indirectly support the one Ward in the district where the most self-aggrandizing proponent of DC statehood resides. Just how long is too long for your fellow citizens to continue waiting, Mr. Ambassador?

###############

Petition Launched for Primary Change
Sam Farmer, sam@letsfreedc.org

In support of moving the DC primary to become the first in the nation, I have started a petition on the Let's Free DC web site: http://www.letsfreedc.org. The petition will be submitted to the council, mayor, delegate, DNC and RNC. If you would like the primary moved go and sign the petition.

With a hearing date now set, as reported in the last themail, it is a good time for the residents of DC to show the council how much they support this idea. The cooperation of all voting rights groups on moving the primary has been magnificent and shows a positive outlook for the whole voting rights movement.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — EVENTS

Black History Month Exhibit, February throughout month
Jerry A. McCoy, Washingtoniana Division, sshistory@yahoo.com

In celebration of Black History Month the Washingtoniana Division of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library presents “Black Washingtonians in History” from February 1-28. The Division is located in room #307 of the MLK Library, 901 G Street, NW. Hours 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday.

###############

Jack Evans at Dupont Circle Citizens Association, February 3
P.D. Klein, kleinpd@aol.com

DC Councilmember Jack Evans will address the Dupont Circle Citizens Association at DCCA's February meeting, Monday February 3 at 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Church, 1772 Church Street. Councilmember Evans is our Ward 2 representative. In the near future the Council will be reviewing the new industry-supported ABC regulations, which diminish the role of ANCs and residents in ABC matters such as moratoriums and voluntary agreements and make it easier for restaurants to convert into clubs. Light refreshments after the meeting.

###############

Black History Month Videos, February 3 and following
Alexander M. Padro, padroanc2c@aol.com

The Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library is presenting a series of videos and discussions on African American history in observance of Black History Month. The events will be held on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during the month of February at the library, located at 1701 8th Street, NW (between Rhode Island Avenue and R Street). Admission is free. The subjects of the films are: February 3, Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X; February 10, Jessie Owens and Jackie Robinson; February 17, W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington; and February 24, Langston Hughes and James Baldwin. For more information, contact library branch manager Mary Hernandez at 671-0212 or mary.hernandez@dc.gov.

###############

Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society Meeting, February 11
Mara Cherkasky, MCherkasky@cs.com

The Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society (WMAS) will hold its first meeting Tuesday, February 11, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Falls Church, VA 22044. The group will meet at that location every second Tuesday of the month (until enough DC residents join and find a venue in the District). I'm one of the organizers, and I live in Mount Pleasant, but another co-organizer was faster on the draw than I and found space at her church. I got Washington into the name, at least. Anyway, people who play the accordion or just want to listen should come out. We'll start with a business meeting and then play music. Bring your instrument, music stand, and music to share. Sleepy Hollow Road runs between Columbia Pike and Seven Corners. For more information, contact me (MCherkasky@cs.com) or Karen Denice at 703-256-0155 or mexico1968@aol.com. The church's phone numbers are 703-534-6461 or 703-532-4730.

###############

Planning Meeting for the “Youth or Dare” 2003 Gala Benefit, February 11
Sara Cormeny, sara@paperlantern.com

Come to the first planning meeting for the gala fundraiser benefit for Young Playwrights Theater, a community-based organization that brings kids into the theater and transforms their lives! This gala, to be held October 2003, will feature performances of exciting, topical and artistic plays written by teens in Washington's city school programs, produced by professional directors and actors. If you care about DC's kids, if you care about arts education, if you like great theater, and if you're up for a fun party, please join us in planning this landmark event! The meeting will be at the offices of Young Playwrights Theater, 2437 15th Street, NW, on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. The YPT offices are in the Josephine Butler Parks Center, immediately adjacent to Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and near the intersection of Euclid and 15th Streets, NW. Parking is difficult in the neighborhood; easiest access is by bus on the S2/S4 line, at the 16th and Euclid Streets stop, or the 40/42 buses, 16th and Columbia Road stop. Please RSVP: sara@paperlantern.com, 462-9024. Please also feel free to share this announcement with your friends and colleagues.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — HELP WANTED

Administrative Assistant
Shari Miles, spssi@spssi.org

Progressive nonprofit professional society seeks experienced administrative assistant for full-time position. Must have knowledge of basic business practices, HR/payroll and employee benefits, office and records management exp., event planning exp., computer skills (MSOffice), desktop publishing helpful, AR/AP (QuickBooks), and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Salary is negotiable and based on level of experience. Excellent benefits. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. E-mail resume to spssi@spssi.org. No phone calls please.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — FOR SALE

Nordic Track Pro Cheap
D.K. Black, kilgour at excite dot com

I've seen these selling list price for $800, and on sale for $ 600. Buy one hardly used for 300. To see a review of the type of product I'm talking about, see: http://www.epinions.com/content_1920508036. To see one on sale for $600 see http://www.iconfitness.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=11052&cgrfnbr=11301. To get one for $300, call 703-947-1153.

###############

CLASSIFIEDS — HOUSING

One Bedroom for Rent
Elizabeth Buchanan, elizabethabuchanan@yahoo.com

Gorgeous, light-filled one bedroom plus den on upper floor. 1100 sq. ft., with hardwood floors, bay window, antique decorative fireplace, large pantry, ceiling fans, big walk-in closet, small back porch with wooden swing, air conditioner, within three blocks of Metro and on bus lines, washer and dryer in unit, pets okay, parking available, all utilities included except electricity. $1500. 986-2745 or elizabethabuchanan@yahoo.com.

###############

themail@dcwatch is an E-mail discussion forum that is published every Wednesday and Sunday. To subscribe, to change E-mail addresses, or to switch between HTML and plain text versions of themail, use the subscription form at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail/subscribe.htm. To unsubscribe, send an E-mail message to themail@dcwatch.com with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Archives of past messages are available at http://www.dcwatch.com/themail.