What 'Washington, D.C.' Means to Them

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But today the Washington that was once a capital of reasoned and often humorous debate has been overtaken by shrill voices mouthing carefully crafted rhetoric to divert attention from the reality that special interests matter more than the needs of Americans -- and especially the needs of those who call it Huachinton.--

Carlos Guerra

San Antonio

The writer is a columnist at the San Antonio Express-News.

Ohio: 4 Letters, 3 Vowels, 0 Pretensions

One of the first things I learned about Washington is that total strangers will say it's good to see you because they're afraid they met you before and don't remember the privilege. Everywhere I go, I stick my hand out to greet someone I've never before laid eyes on, and immediately they tell me it's nice to be in their line of vision again.

I want to assure them I have no influence worth wooing, so why don't we just relax and have a little chat. By then, though, they're already looking over my shoulder for someone else they can be glad to see.

You don't get away with that in Ohio. We assume we aren't memorable, which explains why so many of us grab your hand and say, "You don't remember me, do you?" If you pull that good-to-see-you stunt, chances are the hand you're holding will tighten just a tad and you'll be asked to name the date of that previous encounter. We're Midwesterners. You're supposed to mean what you say.

Speaking of the Midwest, I'd like to point out something we have in common with every last one of you. We live in the same time zone. No kidding. I've lost count of how many times I've had to explain on the phone that, yes, it's 4 o'clock here, too, and you must be thinking of Iowa. We both have four letters, three vowels and a passion for potlucks, but we're hundreds of miles from each other, and we're a whole lot closer to you. In fact, you can barely buckle your seat belt before the flight attendant tells you it's time to set yourself upright for a descent into Cleveland.

Come see us sometime. We'll be glad to meet you.

- Connie Schultz

Cleveland