Hey, I'm Dutch!

Past disappointments cannot overshadow the swell of pride and patriotism I feel upon seeing my nation’s capital for the first time. While recent history calls to mind mistakes shameful and embarrassing, standing in the National Mall and gazing upon the fatherly countenance of Lincoln, staring up at the soaring monument to Washington, and moved by the silent, solemn tributes to our fallen heroes…being here fans the flames of hope that we can live up to responsibilities and ideals those who came before entrusted to us. I wish only that every American had the chance to experience this at least once his life.

We started the overcast day walking past the Capitol Building.

It was great to see how the Library of Congress had embraced technology and was doing some surprising things with their digitization efforts. Two copies of every item that is copywritten in the United States is sent to the Library of Congress; and the Library is open and free to every American…I think that is great and can’t wait until my nephew is old enough to take there.

For some reason, the highest court in the land still retains the pure ideal for me; the stink of corruption and amorality that seems to have tainted every other government institution has left this symbol untouched. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there is corruption and flaw in the courts, but the highest court, the one that is responsible for defending my Constitutional rights, it still retains its integrity (for me). Sitting in the very same courtroom where the most controversial and polarizing issues of my country are debated, that was pretty amazing..and daunting.