Submitted for your consideration:
1987 -- George H.W. Bush, then Vice President, resides in Washington D.C.
The District is invaded by "'huge flying creatures'" with "black bodies and red eyes and . . . amber-veined wings".
2004 -- George W. Bush, now President, resides in Washington, D.C.
The District is again expected to be invaded by "billions" of the exotic, thrumming bewinged beasties.
Coincidence? That's what They want you to think.
Brain-searing details available here!
The Kerry campaign has so far declined comment.
Thank you for reminding me about living through the 1987 D.C.-cicada festival (I moved to upstate NY in 1988). My Bethesda neighborhood, right on the N.W. D.C. line, was teeming with the little buggers. At the time, the racket and basic "ickiness" of the experience impressed me more than the rare beauty of the process (I had not yet learned to appreciate haiku moments). The infestation definitely made lawn mowing interesting.
Speaking of swarming, if the gnats in D.C. would show up every 17 years, the District would be far more pleasant in the summer. You probably did not know that the former Washington 'Nats baseball team had been named for D.C.'s unofficial "bird."
Posted by: David Giacalone | March 30, 2004 at 05:24 PM
Part II: George, there just might be a GHWB connection to my 1987 cicada experience in D.C. Right after I had a roof deck erected on the rear of my house, I was visited by two square-jawed, athletic-looking, very cleancut young gentlemen who identified themselves as government agents. It was clear they needed to assure themselves that I was not some kind of radical, un(non)American menace (despite sorta looking like one). Shortly thereafter, a very official-looking motorcade parked in the driveway of my backdoor neighbor.
I then learned that the husband of the nice couple who lived behind me was chief intelligence advisor to GHWB, having also been deputy director at GHWB's former agency. From then on, I made no sudden moves when on my roof deck. Next thing I knew, however, the cicadas arrived. Hmmmmm. (Please burn this message after reading it.)
Posted by: David Giacalone | March 30, 2004 at 08:20 PM
The District is again expected to be invaded by "billions" of the exotic, thrumming bewinged beasties.
Lobbyists?
Posted by: Tim Hulsey | April 06, 2004 at 11:50 PM