Arch Support

 

St. Louis, MO

Alert: Although my Photo-blogs are ’99 and 44/100th % pure*’ of commentary about current news, in this posting I do venture into those turbulent waters. After recently  reading an article that had me shaking my head, I felt a compulsion to write. If you choose not to read more, no worries, I hope you’ll return for the next Photo blog.

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Dear Mr. President,

One of your imperatives in reshaping our nation’s  Capital skyline with gilded monuments to your legacy is a triumphal arch. It is of course destined to be the largest arch in the world, perhaps even visible from outer space without the need for a Hubble telescope.

Arc deTriomphe
Paris, France

 A phalanx of groups, not limited to architects, historians, the FAA, lower court judges, and veterans, not to mention members of Congress, is not enamored of the idea and has lined up in opposition. 

Not to be deterred, you dusted off your favorite ‘go-to’ playbook and now cite national security as justification for proceeding full-steam ahead. You claim the arch would actually be ‘a top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch to house, store, and have the ability to rapidly dispatch large numbers of drones, plus snipers on rooftops, and hold large quantities of sniper ammo’. In essence the project would position a Trojan Horse-like arsenal in the midst of America’s Capital. You’re brushing aside security need questions about this ‘Monument cum military complex’ in the vicinity of an already established network of  military facilities.

After liberating Paris in 1944, 
American troops march through,
not from within, 
the Arc de Triomphe

Mr. President, we don’t need another arch. We have one in St. Louis, the majestic ‘Gateway to the West’. 

St. Louis Arch - Gateway to the West **

Initially envisioned by Thomas Jefferson to honor the country’s exploration and expansion westward, it also happens to be the world’s tallest arch. And if the Gateway Arch’s silvery coat is not to your gold gilded taste, 

McDonald’s has at least 14,000 burger outlets in the US of A each with a pair of golden arches.

Sincerely,

David Greenfield

* '99 and 44/100th % pure' was the advertising byline for Ivory soap. The line was famously touted to promote the product's appeal to those not approving of perfumes and chemical additives. Since cleanliness is next to Godliness, the Ivory's Mad Man writers felt the slogan would help sales. 

** Gateway to the West arch photos © David Greenfield