Posted on 08/05/2005 10:42:47 AM PDT by Crackingham
A Republican congressman from South Texas has proposed renaming 16th Street NW as Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Rep. Henry Bonilla, co-chairman of the 2000 and 2004 Republican national conventions, quietly introduced the 106-word resolution before Congress adjourned for summer recess July 28.
As word has spread in the nation's capital, neighborhood Web logs in the overwhelmingly Democratic city have crackled with disbelief, and elected D.C. leaders yesterday joined in protest. The Republican chairman of a key House committee also criticized the idea.
"Regardless of your political affiliation, most people agree that Ronald Reagan was an American icon," Bonilla, a former TV news broadcaster elected in 1992, said in a written statement yesterday. "He was a president of national significance and for that reason he deserves an honor in the nation's capital."
Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) objected, saying that renaming the historic north-south route that leads to the White House would mar the elegant street plan laid out by French engineer Pierre L'Enfant in 1791 -- and cost the city $1 million to alter maps and signs.
"It's been a long time since I've heard of a plan that made so little sense," Williams said. "Changing the unique and beautifully mapped street system in Washington would mean undoing . . . a design that has inspired millions of people from around the world."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Nice idea I guess but I think that our elected officials should be worrying about other things. Plus, DC officials and residents should be the ones deciding, not Congress.
""It's been a long time since I've heard of a plan that made so little sense," Williams said. "Changing the unique and beautifully mapped street system in Washington would mean undoing . . . a design that has inspired millions of people from around the world.""
While I don't know about "beautifully mapped street system" I do agree this plan makes little sense.
Okay, is ANYONE ELSE ready for the great RINO purgings of 2006?
These people are such attention whores its unbelievable!
Geez, I doubt it would mar anything. That said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Huh?
Are they proposing to change the layout of the street so it matches the curve of Reagan's nose?
He must have been sleeping, because almost every idea that comes out of Washington makes less sense than this one.
but would anbody else be able to pronounce or spell them?
And it should just be a pro forma change - but the Rat are obstructing it. My goodness, here in NY they think nothing f remaning streets and even two block strecths after obscure lefty heros.
I think it would send a powerful signal.
Uh, if you live in DC, you pay property and sales taxes, you elect local officials and conduct business as a city. Yes, they get federal subsidy but then again, so much of the city is non tax generating that it is a simple case of balancing the ledger. Since DC residents pay taxes, they should get to decide.
key House committee also criticized the idea.
Okay, is ANYONE ELSE ready for the great RINO purgings of 2006
Add the below to the list. Sounds to me like he has been in DC far far too long.
"Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee with jurisdiction over Bonilla's legislation, called it "ridiculous" and said he would put it in the "appropriate file," according to a report on radio station WTOP's Web site that was distributed by Davis aides."
I consider RINOs to be little more than puny attention whores. They attempt to break from the party (and from conservatism in general) every chance they get just to get their names in the paper, and it makes my stomach churn to see this latest RINO bashing Ronaldus Maximus.
Not only that, but they get to pay federal taxes and get no representation in return. Let DC name streets as they like.
I'd have no objection to a Reagan street outside the historic heart of DC. Do you see the name of any other presidents on streets there? With the exception of a few small streets on the periphery, and Jefferson and Madison Drs, all the streets are either letters, numbers, states, or things like Independence, Constitution, Capitol, etc...
Are you ready for Independence to be renamed William Jefferson Clinton Way? Lets leave well enough alone. There's already a Reagan building (ironically the largest federal office building after the Pentagon) and Reagan airport, along with Reagan Memorial Highway and other smaller dedications.
Renaming things after people has gone WAY out of control.
Already done…FYI…
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