D.C.'s Every Bit As Weird As You'd Think

This (above) is what the Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building looks like right now.

Frances Perkins, the first woman to hold a cabinet role, was FDR’s Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, and her policy accomplishments include the development of social security, the 40-hour workweek, minimum wage laws, and unemployment insurance. Incidentally, other places in the world known for gigantic portraits of strongmen—China, North Korea et al—are not known for their labor protections.

Moving on, the National Guard are in fact bored out of their minds:

I was grateful for this sign reminding me that the White House belongs to the American people, and that the Department of the Interior would like to know if “any areas need repair.” I can think of some.

Speaking of the White House, here’s what was happening outside: 

I watched a few protesters help each other deal with deflation issues—and then get right back out there. The metaphors. Oh, the metaphors. 

This exhibit in front of The Capitol was designed to illustrate the number of U.S. lives lost to lung cancer each year. The stars and stripes represent veterans; each white flag represents two civilians. It’s a moving installation. I wish House Republicans, who voted to let healthcare premiums spike, were here to see it. 

Happily, not everything was strange and heavy. Last time I took a photo from the Lincoln Memorial, there was a bride in the frame. This time, a quinceañera: 

I love that life goes on. That in itself feels like resistance. 

Images: Kate Gace Walton