Time to permanently close the Washington Monument

Our military defended the Washington Monument during the 2008 inauguration.  (staff photo)

The Washington Monument, standing 555 feet tall, is an obvious target for the terrorists. Fortunately, the federal government is considering where to locate a permanent "visitor's centre" (Washington-speak for an airport-style security processing facility).   But current plans don't go far enough.

The Washington Post makes an excellent point:

Closing the interior of the monument, the construction of which was suspended during the Civil War, would remind the public of the the effect that fears engendered by the current war on terrorism have had on public space.  Closing it as a symbolic act might initiate an overdue discussion about the loss of even more important public spaces, including the front entrance of the Supreme Court and the west terrace of the Capitol.  It would be a dramatic reminder of the choices we as a nation have made....

DOF agrees the monument should be closed.  Concerning the various post-9/11 security measures undertaken at other popular tourist locations, see "The architecture of fear."  DOF believes that any risk that the closure of the Washington Monument would initiate "discussion about the loss of even more important public spaces" is remote (when was the last serious public "discussion" about anything?).

However, with regards to the Washington Monument, DOF maintains that even the closure of the interior of the monument would not go far enough.     That's because the monument stands on a hill overlooking the White House.    We believe continued pubic access to the hill on which the monument stands is both risky and inappropriate.

The planned DCCM will be constructed between the WH and the WM on the Ellipse.

DOF proposes that the section of the Mall that lies between 17th and 15th streets be permanently closed to the public.   Beyond a security fence, DOF recommends that the 10,000 square foot glass-enclosed "visitor's centre" -- which has long been proposed by the National Parks Board -- be situated across 15th Street.   This would afford visitors a secure vantage point from which to view the monument.   Alternatively, visitors should soon be able to admire the Washington Monument from the tower of the planned DCCM (see bellow).

Why is it desirable to close off a section of the Mall?   1) From a security standpoint, public access to a hill located above the White House affords terrorists "higher ground" advantage -- a risk we don't have to take; 2) Fencing off an entire section of the Mall, more so than the closure of the monument, will remind the American People of the dangers posed by terrorism;  3) Closing the hill on which the monument stands will serve as a sign of respect for the American presidency.  Symbolically, should mere citizens be permitted to stand on higher ground than their Commander in Chief?  We think not;  4) DOF anticipates that restricting access to this particular section of the Mall will increase visitor traffic to the Dick Cheney Carbon Memorial (DCCM).  As explained in a recent post, the planned DCCM will be situated on the Ellipse.   Far more than a monument to the petroleum industry, DCCM will offer visitors an education in the risks posed by terrorism and the heroic efforts of the Cheney Vice Presidency to ensure the survival of the Republic.

A public comment meeting on the Washington Monument security options will be held from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the National Park Service's National Capital Region Headquarters, 1100 Ohio Dr. SW.   If you live in the capital region, DOF urges you to attend. It's a chance to share your fears with your fellow citizens and the NPB.   

Dick Cheney Carbon Memorial

An artist's sketch of the Dick Cheney Carbon Memorial. 

Dick Cheney Carbon Memorial
DoF is proud to support the planned "Dick Cheney Carbon Memorial" (DCCM).  The plans call for the monument to be erected on the Mall in Washington D.C.    The purpose of the monument is to recognize the contribution of carbon fuel to American prosperity and honor those who have fought to preserve the American Way of Life.

Location
The DCCM will be built on the Ellipse -- an empty expanse of  lawn located between the Washington Monument and the White House.   

Specifications and symbolism
The monument will feature a 300 foot tall drilling tower enclosed by a fifty foot high security perimeter.

Mr. Cheney once said, "You got to have people at the top who respond to and are selected by presidents."  Perched at the top of the oil rig will be a statue of Vice President Dick Cheney.   The forty-foot tall vice president will face the White House.   The position of the statue will symbolize the oil industry's support for the modern American presidency.   The blast wall surrounding the drilling tower will symbolize the need to secure oilfields.

On the interior of each of the four stone walls will be inscribed the following:

• West Wall:  Names of early Iraq war champions: Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Kanan Makiya, Douglas Feith, Elliott Abrams, and Ahmad Chalabi.
• East Wall:  The Four Fears
• North Wall:   Names of terrorists captured or killed since 9/11 listed by country of origin.
• South Wall:  Two Cheney quotations.  First quote:  "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy."   Second quote:  "I'm absolutely convinced that the threat we face now ... is very real and that we have to use extraordinary measures to deal with it."

  
National Museum of Interrogation
Once visitors have cleared the security perimeter and are safely inside the monument compound they will be able to board an elevator that will descend one hundred feet below ground to a large subterranean cavern.   The space will house the new National Museum of Interrogation.  Exhibits will teach visitors about the role of advanced interrogation methods in keeping America safe during the dangerous post 9/11 years.   For example, staff will demonstrate the "stress positions" and invite guests to attempt them.  Visitors can enjoy interactive multimedia shows in the Waterboarding Gallery.   Kids can explore the fuselage of a Boeing jetliner that was used for extraterritorial renditions.   Teenage visitors will surely gravitate to the Drone Pilot Simulator  where they can practice targeting and firing upon suspected terrorists. 

The underground museum will also contain a full-scale replica of the subterranean White House bunker in which Cheney spent the better part of his eight years as vice president.  

Sponsorship
The DCCM will be a gift to the American People from a consortium of multinational energy companies and leading defense contractors.    DoF is also a proud sponsor of the project.

The architecture of fear

An attractive Fox News reporter outside the Supreme Court.   (Photo credit: Jotman)

DOF has long been concerned that the architecture of the nation's capital is too open, giving the public a false sense of security.  Fortunately, this situation is beginning to change. NPR: 

Starting Tuesday, visitors to the court will no longer be able to walk up the 44 marble steps and enter through the giant bronze doors, beneath the portico engraved with the words "Equal Justice Under Law."

Instead, visitors will enter the building through entrances on the ground level and they can exit through the bronze doors. The court said it was closing the majestic entrance in light of findings and recommendations from two independent security studies.

But in a written statement, Justice Stephen Breyer, joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, called the decision "unfortunate" and unjustified." They said the stately bronze door entrance is a metaphor for access to justice, and they said potential security threats will exist regardless of where the public entrance is located.

Some metaphors are more useful than others.  Entering the justice building through a side entrance will serve to remind Americans that we live in dangerous times.

One journalist suggests that the Lincoln memorial could be made similarly inaccessible.  We like that idea too.