Ownership Society

With the Cherry Blossom Festival a mere week away, the first tourists have begun descending upon the District of Columbia. This is only a prelude to the swarm of families that will soon invade like polo-shirted cicadas. And while I personally feel only a passing affection for the city of Washington, a plague of out-of-towners never fails to make me a possessive, prideful citizen. Whether wandering like lost sheep around Columbus Circle or firmly planting themselves on the left-side of the escalator, tourists are sure to give any local, no matter how transient, that particular attitude: "Welcome to Washington, now go home." And take your sunglasses on lanyards with you.