Comments on: Going to the Mall http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/?p=3133 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:31:32 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Missie http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/?p=3133&cpage=1#comment-59365 Missie Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:32:31 +0000 http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/?p=3133#comment-59365 AARPat...I pay taxes to my local hospital, too, but there's nothing at all about it that's "free." I do believe Dabney means "free" as in "no additional entrance fee," which is how most people would interpret it. For that matter, seeing as they don't check passports and citizenship at the door (nobody asks for proof of filing US income tax), I do believe that "free" is quite an accurate description. Dabney, there is nothing quite like seeing the Lincoln Memorial -- or any of the extraordinary exhibits at the Smithsonian -- up close and in person, is there? Thus far in my life, I've only visited once, when I was a junior in high school, but those memories are vivid and stick with me. I envy you (in a good way) that you apparently live near enough that you can visit with some relative ease. AARPat…I pay taxes to my local hospital, too, but there’s nothing at all about it that’s “free.”

I do believe Dabney means “free” as in “no additional entrance fee,” which is how most people would interpret it.

For that matter, seeing as they don’t check passports and citizenship at the door (nobody asks for proof of filing US income tax), I do believe that “free” is quite an accurate description.

Dabney, there is nothing quite like seeing the Lincoln Memorial — or any of the extraordinary exhibits at the Smithsonian — up close and in person, is there? Thus far in my life, I’ve only visited once, when I was a junior in high school, but those memories are vivid and stick with me. I envy you (in a good way) that you apparently live near enough that you can visit with some relative ease.

]]> By: AARPat http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/?p=3133&cpage=1#comment-59281 AARPat Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:45:58 +0000 http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/?p=3133#comment-59281 Actually, the Smithsonian museums are "free" only in the sense that everyone who pays U. S. taxes pays for them. All tax-paying Americans all pay for them. My favorites at the Smithsonian were always the pendulum, the First Lady's dresses, Whistler's Peacock room, the Burghers of Calais (which I don't think is there anymore), the Centennial Exposition at the Castle (which I think is gone now too!), the Hope Diamond, Kermit the Frog, and so many others! There really is no other place like Washington, D.C., for museums! Actually, the Smithsonian museums are “free” only in the sense that everyone who pays U. S. taxes pays for them. All tax-paying Americans all pay for them.

My favorites at the Smithsonian were always the pendulum, the First Lady’s dresses, Whistler’s Peacock room, the Burghers of Calais (which I don’t think is there anymore), the Centennial Exposition at the Castle (which I think is gone now too!), the Hope Diamond, Kermit the Frog, and so many others!

There really is no other place like Washington, D.C., for museums!

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