A visit to Washington

We always enjoy a trip to the seat of American democracy, particularly in Spring.




The Honorable Gentleman Brussels Griffon

Cherry blossoms and daffodils outside U.S. Capitol

Pollen and politics in the air
Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) has seen a lot of cherry blossoms in his day and his senority in the United States Senate excuses him for waxing all warm and fuzzy in the Spring.

"She sleeps on my bed,'' said Byrd, in his 90th year and prone to meandering. "She goes with me to the Senate, rides in the car with me. She stays in my office. When somebody comes into the office, she rises and comes over and greets them, goes on about her business and gets back on the couch.''

The beloved female companion Sen. Byrd spoke about at a recent Appropriations Subcommittee hearing was his dog. The subcommittee, which oversees the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) budget, is looking into the how numerous pet foods have recently been poisoning thousands of dogs and cats causing kidney failure.

Video of hearing here.

D.C. Spring

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Happy Birthday, Jean-Paul et al

We were wondering what sort of conversation might take place if some people who share a birthday today came to the same party.

Jean-Paul Belmondo, actor, born on April 9, 1933

Women over thirty are at their best, but men over thirty are too old to recognize it.

Charles Baudelaire, poet, was born on April 9, 1821

It is the hour to be drunken! To escape being the martyred slaves of time, be ceaselessly drunk. On wine, on poetry, or on virtue, as you wish.

Sol Hurok, impresario, was born on April 9, 1888

If I would be in this business for business, I wouldn't be in this business.

Paul Robeson, singer. was born on April 9, 1898

As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this.

Hugh Hefner, publisher, was born on April 9, 1926.

My life is an open book. With illustrations.

Jeff Zucker, television executive, was born on April 9, 1965.

Sometimes when you're down a little, you see things more clearly.

Sacha de Boer, photographer, was born on April 9, 1967.

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