The City You Love to Hate

Len Downie, the Post’s former executive editor, says enough already with the DC-bashing:

Large numbers of Washingtonians have dedicated much of their lives to real public service that does not involve the ego trips, trappings and hypocrisies of elective office.

Amen to that. It’s not all earmarks and Gucci Gulch lobbyists, kids.

For all its partisanship and jockeying for power and influence, Washington’s culture–with roots in the New Deal, World War II, Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and the Reagan Revolution–is receptive to new ideas and new people. It is steadily refreshed by idealistic young professionals who come here to work and learn for low wages in the backrooms of power. And it readily assimilates waves of older hands who arrive with each new administration and member of Congress, and then stay in the public arena here.

And did we mention it’s also a nice place to live?

As much as it has changed, Washington remains a pleasantly unique city, with its low skyline, monumental architecture, preserved history and green open spaces. Despite the serious dedication to work of so many of its residents, their lifestyle is generally unpretentious..

Damn straight, Len. Thanks for saying so.