Yes...DC is exclusively controlled by Congress. I understand that the residents there don’t like that... but the solution is to amend the constitution to allow DC to become a state. Thing the Dems would like more as that would give then 2 Senate and 1 House seta forever. But then they would have to be treated like every other state and would lose the massive subsidies they get from the federal coffers. DC does not have sufficient tax base or other revenue potential to be viable as a state. Better they petition MD to be annexed as part of MD...that would give them full representation but even that would REQUIRE amending the constitution...and the likelihood of that happening is essentially non existent.

As a D.C. resident and no fan of football (way too dangerous), this is funny! However, and on a needlessly serious note for this site, the story belies the fact that 700,000 people (400,000 of whom are registered to vote) live in the District of Columbia without the full benefits of citizenship - voting representation in the US Congress and Senate. Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution created the federal city "under exclusive control of Congress in all matters whatsoever." We pay federal income taxes, "state" income taxes, property taxes and sales taxes, but have no final say in how those tax revenues are spent in our own city, for our own residents, and our locally-legislated programs and laws. Our City Council creates a budget and a plan to spend our tax dollars, but must get approval from Congress to move the budget forward to implementation. And any member of Congress from any jurisdiction can step in and, without objection from us, add a rider to our budget bill to thwart those expenditures. No other jurisdiction in the USA has such control exercised over its local governance. And, while we object to the actions of those outside legislators, we cannot vote against them, unelect them or otherwise challenge the legitimacy of their actions to thwart the will of the residents of the District. The original Tea Party (remember Boston Harbor?) was a challenge to "taxation without representation," the words that adorn most DC license plates. Voting is what makes a democracy work. We are all challenged to study the issues and listen to the candidates and then decide and "vote our conscience" on election day. But 700,000 DC residents have been permanently disenfranchised and forced to accept the consequences of votes cast by residents of the 50 States. Please act wisely. Our shared destiny depends on it!

Went for a daily hunt and the insects are getting far and few between except for the skeeters. I modified the lighting on my rig and I truly like the results and I'll post a picture of it later for review and suggestions. Even the grasshoppers are getting scarce now although I did find my first snake of the year which is a Garter Snake and although the blade of grass was in the way, I just had to post one with his tongue out tasting me.

Only a few wildflowers remain now as well so I couldn't resist taking a few shots of them also. They are not as interesting or exciting as finding insects or spiders however I find them quite pretty.

Thanks for viewing and for any comments, suggestions or critiques in advance.