So, I was prepared to write about wonderful past Christmas days in New Orleans. Then, crashing against the visions of bread pudding dancing in my head came the sight of a D.C. police detective pulling out his gun on a group of young adults foolishly tossing snowballs in the middle of a major city intersection.
Couldn’t they have found a field? Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has spent untold political capital improving athletic fields and parks. Surely there was one where a bunch of overgrown children could romp. But even if common sense failed them, did the detective really feel so endangered by his vehicle being pelted with snow that his only option was to pull out his weapon?
Can’t we all get along?
No sooner had I pushed aside the snowball/detective saga than I get slapped by Bill Myers’ exclusive story for this paper on D.C. Auditor Deborah Nichols findings that earmarks, which I call sole-source contracts, where given to groups that weren’t licensed to do business in the city and owed back taxes.
Have mercy!
In 2005, only two earmarks totaling $1.25 million were given out. By 2009, the number jumped to 154 for a total of $48 million. Thankfully, the recession prompted Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray to eliminate them in 2010. Wouldn’t it be nice, if officials spent our money like it was theirs instead of giving it always to anyone standing at their door with cup?
Am I ranting?
“Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.” I have always loved that song — almost as much as my grandmother’s bread pudding, which left me perfectly satisfied. The woman could cook.
She also would go wild decorating the house for Christmas. I felt sorry for my grandfather: Santa and a reindeer-led sleigh on the roof; colored lights strung around the entire house; the front door wrapped with shiny paper, as if our entire house was someone’s gift. Inside, there were poinsettias and a huge tree, filled with dazzling ornaments; a rotating color wheel at its base, cast it in different hues.
And then, there was the miniature Nativity scene. We never were allowed to forget that Christmas was a celebration of Jesus’ birth. We went to Mass, which was exciting for me since I imagined myself one day wearing a wimple, a long black robe, with the rosary at my waist, talking softly and pulling children’s ears. (Stop laughing. I actually wanted to be a nun.)
Christmas always was filled with family, friends, laughter and love. The sights and sounds of those past years inspire me to make the holidays happy and holy for those around me.
So, if I went a little astray earlier in this column, please forgive me. I intended to stir your own sweet memories and bring joyous greetings: Happy holidays. And, Merry Christmas to all!
Jonetta Rose Barras, host of WPFW’s “D.C. Politics with Jonetta,” can be reached at [email protected].
