Contrary to legend, the folks that live in DC are quite fond of visiting the tourist attractions of DC.
Today, for instance, I went on a walking tour of Embassy Row. And here’s some stuff I learned I wanted to pass on:
- The statue in Dupont Circle (one of my favorites) was done by Samuel Chester French. French was probably best known for the Lincoln Memorial, but also created many works of Americana, usually in the classic Florentine style. His home in Stockbridge, MA, Chesterwood, coincidentally looks just like a Florentine villa.
- Like many of the embassies on Embassy Row, the Indonesian Embassy was formerly a private home. The matron of the house, one of the Maclean family, had a thing for diamonds, and bought both the Star of India, and the Hope Diamond. The legend of the Hope Diamond curse started with her demise.
- If you’ve seen the Cosmos Club on Massachusetts Ave, and wondered how to become a member, it’s very simple. Win either a Nobel or Pulitzer prize and you’re in. Otherwise, not so simple.
- About those diplomatic license plates. The plates tell you both the position at the embassy that the driver holds, as well as the country they represent. ClothMonkey has a pretty good summary. He also has an explanation of why FC was the designated country code for the USSR that was pretty close to what someone said on the walking tour. Urban legend? As far as I can tell, no.
You are right, the Cosmos Club is a big deal. Even Jack Abramoff felt intimidated and asked his right-wing friend Rabbi Lapin to make some up for him. The following is quoted verbatim from an email Abramoff sent to Lapin. I find this hilarious. It reminds me of college age resume padding. Apparently, Abramoff never matured beyond his College Republcan days.
“I hate to ask your help with something so silly, but I have been nominated for membership in the Cosmos Club, which is a very distinguished club in Washington, DC, comprised of Nobel Prize winners, etc. Problem for me is that most prospective members have received awards and I have received none.
I was wondering if you thought it possible that I could put that I have received an award from Toward Tradition with a sufficiently academic title, perhaps something like Scholar of Talmudic Studies? I wish you were still heading PJC (for this reason only!) so I could get one from them too, perhaps something like Distinguished Biblical Scholar Award. Indeed, it would be even better if it were possible that I received these in years past, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I think you see what I am trying to finangle here! Do you think this is possible? IT would only used in this situation, but there is a chance that they would have to call someone to verify.”
from page 43 in http://indian.senate.gov/exhibitspart1.pdf
—Jason Bradfield • 9:30 am, October 3
That is just freaking hillarious. Not only does he ask a friend to lie for him so he can get into an exclusive club, he asks a rabbi.
Priceless.
—AltHippo • 3:25 pm, October 3
Thanks, Jason. I can’t believe this is the first I’ve heard of that. Looks like the story came out in June. I know there’s an overload of insane stories coming out about the Republican Party nowadays, but surely this should have been ridiculed more widely.
—Keith • 4:53 pm, October 3