From Our Nation’s Capitol Washington DC (Dec 2005)

From Our Nation’s Capitol Washington DC (Dec 2005)
By Tommy Franks

Today, as Karen and I were driving around Washington DC, I realized what an awesome task and responsibility that we as citizens of this great nation have...concerning our duty to pray for this incredible nation...as well as our Capitol and its leaders. Washington DC is in a very sad state of affairs! In the past 32 days, 24 people have been murdered within its limits. Washington DC has more people murdered and killed per capital than any other American city. In the past five years, 1366 people have been senselessly and vigorously murdered and hundreds of others seriously wounded during the commission of crimes. It has deteriorated so bad until Police Chief Charles Ramsey has now declared a crime emergency in the city after four murders over the past two days. Ramsey has invoked emergency powers which allows commanders to adjust schedules at their own discretion. Chief Ramsey is also restricting days off for the next 45 days and increasing patrols in hard-hit neighborhoods and retail areas.

In our Nation's Capitol, robberies have increased significantly...at least one every 30 minutes. An assault occurs every 20 minutes...a burglary every 18 minutes...car theft every 15 minutes...Some type of theft occurs every 20 SECONDS. Rapes occur almost daily. Last year alone, over 25,835 property crimes occurred...as well as 7336 violent crimes. Officers are exhausted from working 12-hour days and mandatory overtime shifts. This time of year, they are asking, "What holiday plans?"

Out of 15 democratic countries, the United States has the highest rate of imprisonment at 529 per 100,000 of population. That rate is far higher for the overcrowded jails in DC. Currently, it is so bad until several facilities are leased in order to house inmates because of space shortage for incarceration. Deputy Mayor Edward D. Reiskin, in charge of public safety and justice issues, said recently that D.C. Jail Officials no longer can rent prison space at nearby buildings. Neither can they fill 47 staff positions. He estimated that the facility will have an average of 35 additional inmates daily. The overcrowded 30-year-old D.C. Jail employs 687 guards to watch over 2,498 inmates a month. Mayor Anthony A. Williams called for an increase in funding for the Corrections Department's budget from $121 million this year to $142 million in fiscal 2006. The council decided on $138 million for 2006. Can you imagine our nation’s Capitol spending $138 million in one year just to house people who have committed crimes against fellow Americans? In one way, we are all victims in this costly episode. Eventually, most of these hard core criminals will be sent to Federal prisons around the continent...where our Federal tax dollars will continue to support these incorrigibles. As I said before, Washington DC needs our prayers!

For the past 26 years that I have worked and lived in and around this magnificent, historical, and illustrious city, there has been one scandal after another. Billions of dollars have been poured into this city, but it seems that no matter how much money or resources are allocated and budgeted, it is never enough. I have seen one hospital after another "go under" because of a lack of good leadership and good money management. I have seen one business failure after another. I have seen and heard "outlandish" ideas that have turned into catastrophes. Yet, this is our nation's Capitol! We must pray for her.

Mayor Anthony A. Williams really tries, but his administration never seems to quite "get it together" when it comes to real change! The city has had one contract scandal after another. I was here when Mayor Marion Barry was in office from 1979 to 1991...and from 1995 to 1999. He was forced to leave office during his third term as a result of his arrest and conviction on drug charges, but he is once again on the D.C. council. What the world %$#@* are we coming to?

What we have here in Washington DC is the "failure to communicate". It’s ironic that...as professionals who are dedicated to "talking and saying little" that clear communication and concise information is nowhere to be found! In essence, we have a full blown circus filled with peanuts, elephants, candied apples, carmel popcorn, cotton candy, hotdogs, artificial fish ponds, gambling concessions, and daily shooting galleries.

To further exasperate things, the previous US Administration decided to take the word "Christmas" out of everything! For example, the White House Christmas Tree was changed to the "White House Holiday Tree". The White House greeting was changed to Happy Holidays versus Merry Christmas. The Christmas turkey and Christmas ham were referred to as the "holiday turkey...and ham". Well, you get my drift by now.

Some of the Christmas traditional and historical songs were changed to coincide with this "new and better" concept of 25 December. However, today, we have tens of thousands of people in the local area attempting to change everything back to the "Christmas" traditional concept that this nation has celebrated since the Seventeenth Century. This is a good thing!

So, as you can see, Washington DC is a city of tremendous historical value...a city that wields democracy and freedom...a city of controversy...a city that loves politics...a city that belongs to the American people. Even though Washington DC has hundreds and hundreds of churches within its perimeter, the city (our nation’s Capitol) continues to need our prayers!

Yesterday, as we were stopped at a signal light on 14th Street in downtown DC, we were approached by a “homeless” man who had a sign that read “I need money for a coat”. As he was walking down the middle of the road, he was shouting, “Have your money ready. I will not wait for it.” You talk about a homeless person with an attitude! Can you believe this? Here is a homeless man who “supposedly” needs money for a coat. He is telling people that if they do not immediately have their donation readily available for him, he will not wait! Hello! What the world #$%&*@ is going on in today’s society?