Why the District of Columbia is A National Tragedy

Annie Lowrey tweets this depressing fact about the nation's capital.

Census data shows D.C. has the highest rate of extreme poverty (10.7%) and the highest median income ($86K).

It is a national tragedy that the District of Columbia has had high rates of poverty and murder. People have argued against D.C. getting statehood or a voting Congressional member? I fail to see how giving D.C. proper representation could be worse than the status quo.

Below is a chart of the murder rate in D.C. from 1986 to 2005.

District of Columbia Forges Ahead On Gay Marriage

All gay marriages performed out of state are officially legal in Washington D.C.

As of last midnight, residents and visitors to Washington D.C. are just a bit more equal. Those same-sex couples who married in any of the states (and, presumably, countries) in which it is legal now have their marriages recognized by the District.

Our heartfelt Congratulations!!

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this action by the City Council is that it received almost no attention by Congress.

Because Congress doesn't give a shit about D.C. The high crime rates in black communities and poor education system is a testament to that. There is Chocolate City and the affleunt white areas. John Edwards may be a disgraced political figure. Edwards was on to something when he talked about Two Americas.

D.C. Gay Marriage Victory

April 7, 2009 will be viewed as a historical day for gay civil rights. The Vermont legislature made gay marriage legal. In Washington, the D.C. Council took it's own step forward in recognizing gay marriage.

The D.C. Council voted today to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, on the same day that Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex unions.

Domestic partnerships are already legal in the nation's capital. But yesterday's vote, billed as an important milestone in gay rights, explicitly recognizes relocated gay married couples as married.

Iowa, Vermont and D.C. in the span of days. Things are moving very quickly. Republicans will make gay marriage an issue in 2010. Gay marriage will be less of an effected wedge for the GOP. Republicans couldn't get a constutional amendment banning gay marriage passed. There is little reason to think the GOP would succeed if they were again the majority party in Congress.

On the Democratic side: Obama is going to drag his feet on gay marriage. Unless Obama feels the political tide is turning.

There is little reason to believe Obama is a friend of the LGBT community. Obama has repeatly said he is against gay marriage. The President promised to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military. Obama has done nothing to reverse "don't ask, don't tell." Until gay marriage advocates can get politicians thrown out of office, Obama will do nothing to make gay marriage legal. It is sad that a man whom has face prejudice personally will practice it politically.