Final Friday night I attended the John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts with my spouse and two associates to hearken to an exquisite efficiency of Handel’s “Messiah.”
The Kennedy Heart has been among the many few locations in Washington (sports activities arenas are one other) the place one can get by means of a day or night with out the confrontational and corrosive political language that has contaminated the town. Not anymore.
President Trump, with the approval of a board he appointed, has added his title to the constructing. Henceforth, or till a future president and board will take away it (one can solely hope), the place will probably be labeled, if not referred to as by everybody, the Trump Kennedy Heart.
I recall the primary efficiency in what has develop into Washington’s fundamental cultural attraction. It was on Sept. 8, 1971, and the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass,” a piece commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy. The Kennedys did extra to carry high-brow tradition to Washington than every other president and first girl. President Trump has introduced nothing, not even shut, that may match their contributions.
Through the day on Friday, employees have been already drilling the extra title into the surface of the constructing. The Kennedy Heart web site has been re-labeled “Trump Kennedy Heart.”
There’s discuss round city that Trump has solely begun so as to add his title to different buildings. One prospect he’s reportedly eyeing is the soon-to-be completed Washington Commanders (previously “Redskins”) soccer stadium. I acquired to interested by different locations the place Trump may affix his title.
For the reason that president has ceaselessly instructed – as have a few of his followers – that he’s the best president ever, how a couple of new title for the town’s most well-known obelisk: The Trump Washington Monument?
Then there are the memorials to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Trump Lincoln and Trump Jefferson may enchantment to him, though the primary appears like a automobile mannequin and the second like a personality within the late Norman Lear’s TV present “The Jeffersons.”
The FBI Constructing named after J. Edgar Hoover could possibly be simply modified at little expense. The “J” simply has to have “D” and “T” drilled into it. It might immediately develop into the “DJT Hoover Constructing.”
Then there may be the Division of Justice constructing named after Robert F. Kennedy. Trump Kennedy appears like a presidential ticket.
For the spiritually minded, Washington’s magnificent Nationwide Cathedral is a pure. Whereas Trump doesn’t attend church, his “worshippers” may really feel the spirit if it was referred to as the Trump Cathedral.
Some are suggesting Dulles Worldwide Airport is likely to be re-named for Trump. What number of recall Dwight Eisenhower’s secretary of state? Nothing mistaken with an “improve,” besides as in so many of those it will be a downgrade.
Then there may be the title of the town itself. Since Trump claims credit score (and with some justification) for reducing incidents of crime, he is likely to be honored by erasing the “C” which stands for Columbia and labeling the capital Washington, “DT.”
He’s already re-named the Institute of Peace, honoring himself for all of the wars he says he has ended. It’s now referred to as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
Why cease with these? The moon could possibly be named after Trump. Moon is such a boring title. Then there are among the planets. Trump Uranus may work, if that doesn’t sound redundant.
In 1964, the yr after President Kennedy’s assassination, Congress handed laws naming the constructing as a memorial to him. Some Democrats are saying Congress ought to approve any title change. They’re proper, however Trump presses on in what might lead to a fait accompli.
Readers could e mail Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Search for Cal Thomas’ newest guide “A Watchman within the Night time: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
