Is there anything that won’t cause Peak TDS? I mean, they are losing it
The Washington Post is one of the media outlets losing it
Trump’s changes to Reflecting Pool worry preservationists, locals
President Donald Trump this week unveiled his rapid project to resurface the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool, saying that a contractor convinced him to use “American Flag Blue” to cover the pool’s basin. The changes have some historic preservationists feeling blue.
Trump on Thursday walked through his planned renovation of the century-old pool, touting his expertise at building “more than 100 swimming pools” during his real estate career, and saying that he had involved his personal contractors. The project — the most extensive overhaul of the reflecting pool in 15 years — will be completed in time to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration on July 4, the president said.
“Now we have a nice clean surface on which we’re putting an industrial-grade swimming pool topping,” Trump said in a video released by the White House. The president said the new surface would prevent the leaks that have frequently affected the pool for several decades. (snip)
But the pool has long been plagued by leaks, algae and other problems that have forced frequent cleanings and multiple renovation projects. The Obama administration announced its own reconstruction of the pool in April 2009, a process that ultimately took several years and cost $34 million.
The Biden admin was going to spend $300 million on a project that would take years. Trump’s project is costing up to $2 million and will take a few weeks.
Some historic preservationists and other experts warned that Trump’s renovations could distort the experience for visitors. Charles A. Birnbaum, who heads the Cultural Landscape Foundation, an education and advocacy organization, noted that the neutral colors used for the pool’s basin were intended to convey greater depth and reflection that could now be threatened by the president’s changes.
Call the waaambulance
Some lawmakers said Trump’s focus on the reflecting pool shows that he is too fixated on Washington-area renovation projects rather than issues that affect voters. The president has repeatedly invoked his projects, including a black granite path at the White House that he has pushed to complete before King Charles III’s arrival on Monday.
“As Trump gets ready to play host to King Charles III this week, his emphasis on pageantry and decorations instead of our nation’s economic pain is a reminder that he wants to be a king — and why 250 years ago, America decided that we didn’t want one,” Rep. Gabe Amo (D-Rhode Island) wrote in a text message.
A king, you guys! Sigh.
