The Capitol Building
Going to the capitol building was great, too. I have to admit that I felt sad when I kept remembering the happenings on January 6, when people entered the building, made threats, and some lives were lost. I don’t ascribe to thinking that the US is like a promised land of some kind, necessarily better in all ways than any other country, but all during our visit, I have been impressed with the beauty and respect I have seen. Since my dad served 27 years as a chaplain in the Air Force, and that meant my childhood was in the Air Force "serving" with him, I have been moved by the many monuments and words of respect for our country.
When we stopped to take a selfie, a man walking by asked if we’d like him to take our photo, which he did. He asked us where we’re from and, after answering, I asked him the same. He said New Jersey and when I asked what he was doing at the Capitol Building he said he was lobbying for Israel, “which is what we do.” I figured he was working there because he was wearing a suit. Many more men in suits (and women dressed up, too) than I would normally see at home.
We had to be led by a guide to explore the building. In the rotunda of statues—which had one in a box to be dedicated the next day, Willa Cather—our guide asked whether we thought George Washington would be happy about the ceiling depicting him as a god. He said he most definitely would not, that for one thing Washington was a devout Christian and believed in one God, but also he was known for his humility. He said Washington was the only top general who’d won a war and then gave up his commission voluntarily. He was immensely popular and probably could have done whatever he’d have liked. The guide pointed out that Napoleon, in the same position, declared himself king and there are still ramifications for that.
Our friend who told us about getting library cards also told us about getting passes to the Senate by going to our Senator’s office across the street from the Capitol Building and asking the staff for the passes. We did that (looked up the office location of Alex Padilla) and thus were able to sit in the gallery above the senate. Once again, no photos allowed. The senators were not present but the senate was in session. We heard one Senator give a speech. It was to an empty room, except the administrative people there, but I guess they do that to make it official or something. He talked about forming a committee for Senate Hearings to look into Artificial Intelligence, including a private hearing to hear from the Dept. of Defense how our enemies might use it and how we were preparing for that eventuality. Interesting.
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