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Robert Devaney • October 31, 2013

The Georgetown Business Association met at the offices of the Braude Law Group in Eton Court for its monthly reception Oct. 16. You know where it is: close to everything, the complex is behind the storefronts at M and Potomac Streets. Food and beverages were abundant, and networking goals met as advice and business cards were exchanged freely. The next GBA reception is at El Centro, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 20. [gallery ids="101504,151391,151398,151395,151385" nav="thumbs"]

the Georgetowner • October 21, 2013

The Oneida Indian Nation held a “Change the Mascot” symposium at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton Oct. 7. The discussion was held in a packed Fahrenheit restaurant. At the same time, the same hotel is also hosting the NFL’s fall league meeting of owners and officials, which begins tomorrow.

Speakers included Ray Halbritter, the National Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation, D.C.’s Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn.

“Washington’s team name is a painful epithet that was used against my people when we were held at gunpoint and thrown off our lands,” Halbritter said. “When marketed by a professional sports team, it is a word that tells Native American children they are to be denigrated.”

Halbritter also cited President Barack Obama’s comments over the weekend that appeared to support changing the name of the Washington Redskins. “It elevated the visibility” of the Oneida Nation’s cause, Halbritter said.

In a fiery speech, Del. Norton said, “Dan Snyder tried four times to trademark the name (Redskins) and failed. The name should go down in the dust bowl of history.” Norton went on to say that under previous ownership the “team was forced to integrate itself” and did so “only because they were playing on Federal land.” She added, “Snyder should not wait to be compelled to do the right thing.”

Rep. McCollum said that when “Washington comes to play in Minnesota on Nov. 7,” the team will be “met with a large presence and our name change mascot.”

Those on the panel also included psychologist Michael Friedman, David Borgstrom, president of the Cooperstown, N.Y., school board, and two students from Cooperstown, who led the effort to change the school’s mascot from “Redskins” to “Hawkeyes.”

Some NFL officials were invited to the discussion, but none attended.

Robert Devaney •

Here are two chances for Georgetowners and other concerned citizens to comment on a significant town development as well as hear from the project and design team for the West Heating Plant on 29th Street, south of the C&O Canal and the Fours Seasons Hotel. Plans call for a partial demolition and conversion of the plant into 80 condominiums.

The old government-owned plant was sold to a development group, now known as Georgetown 29K LLC, made up of Georgetown’s Levy Group, the New York-based Georgetown Company and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The group won the government auction in March and formally purchased the building and property in June for $19.5 million.

At 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, Ignacio Bunster, landscape architect of Georgetown Waterfront Park, will lead a public meeting, showing his plans for the new park at the West Heating Plant that will link the Waterfront Park with Rock Creek and the C&O Canal. It will be a chance for members of the community to both hear and comment on his plans. It will also be a time to meet key members of the development and design teams. This meeting will be held at Washington Harbour in Foley and Lardner’s conference center, 3030 K St. NW, 6th floor. If you would like to attend, it is strongly suggested that you pre-register at events@levygroup.com or by calling 202-337-2058, as space is limited.

On Tuesday Oct. 22, there will be another public meeting, where David Adjaye, building architect, and Ignacio Bunster, landscape architect, will provide a full presentation of the proposed development scheme for the West Heating Plant property. Adjaye — known for his two notable D.C. public libraries as well as for his plans for the African-American Museum currently under construction on the Mall — will be revealing his concept behind the proposed design as well as provide a history of the site. The presentation will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seasons level, 5 p.m. Again, as space is limited, it is strongly suggested that those who wish to attend pre-register at events@levygroup.com or by calling 202-337-2058.

Georgetowner •

Responding to the partial government shutdown, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Georgetown University have partnered to bring The Wall That Heals, VVMF’s half-scale replica of The Wall to Washington, D.C.

Since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, the National Mall and many of its monuments and memorials have been closed to foot traffic. The walkways leading to and around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) have been closed with barricades and continue to be off-limits to pedestrians. As an unfortunate result, groups of visitors, including veterans groups traveling great distances to see The Wall, have experienced limited access, or have even been denied entry.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, The Wall That Heals will be on display and open to the public on the lawn of Healy Hall on the main campus of Georgetown University. Shuttle busses will be available to transport visitors from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site on the National Mall to the campus. The Wall That Heals display will remain on campus through Columbus Day weekend. There is no charge to visit the display, and transportation to and from the National Mall will be provided at no cost.

“We all agree that people should have unlimited access to the memorials on the National Mall. Until that access is restored by Congress, we will continue doing all we can to make sure visitors can experience The Wall,” says VVMF’s President and Founder Jan Scruggs. “People from across the world come to see these sites, and we are so grateful to Georgetown University for its help in giving visitors a place to go.”

Georgetowner •

SAVE THE DATE

Shop Smart! With Heart! Care For Kids Cards

October 18th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | annehpolk@verizon.net | Tel: 202-368-7165 | Event Website

Long and Foster, offical banner sponsor, events you to help support Children’s NAtional Medical Center. With the purchase of your Care for Kids Card, You can Shop and Save 20 percent, Friday, Oct 18 to Sunday, Oct 27. The Care for Kids Card program is one of Washington’s most popular fall shopping events, bringing merchants, restaurants and YOU together for the benefit of Children’s National Medical Center.

The card entitles you to 20-percent discounts at participating merchants

Shop and Eat! From October 18th – 27th, 2013, use your card at participating merchants and restaurants and save 20 percent.

Address

List of participating merchants

AJC ACCESS DC 13th Annual Young Diplomats Reception

October 10th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | $20-$50 | bogdanowa.fellow@ajc.org | Tel: 202.785.5489 | Event Website

ACCESS DC’s flagship event provides the unique opportunity for young Jewish professionals to interact with members of the diplomatic community. The panel’s topic is: “The Turbulence of Transnationalism: Today’s Challenges of Global Migration” and will feature Manuel Orozco, Senior Associate at Inter-American Dialogue, Anne C. Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration at U.S. Department of State and Michael Werz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.

Address

1777 F Street NW

FAD Georgetown 2013

October 11th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | events@georgetowndc.com | Event Website

Celebrate Fashion, Art and Design with a brand new neighborhood-wide event, FAD Georgetown, from October 10-12, 2013. Spanning over three days and nights, FAD fuses all components of Georgetown’s art, fashion and design communities for a variety of events, including progressive style parties, interactive public art projects, street style, gallery walks, design showroom activities, red carpets and more.

Thu, October 10th 2013 – Sat, October 12th 2013

Address

All over Georgetown

Civil War Georgetown Tour

October 12th, 2013 at 10:30 AM | $8-$15 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Join us for an inside tour of the historic house, which was operated as a boarding house for Union officers and their families.
Then you can join docents for a walking tour of Civil War Georgetown. Visit the final resting place of three renowned Civil War spies, a Union hospital, the residences of Union military leaders, and a site associated with the Pearl escape.

Address

1644 31st St NW Washington, DC 20007

Russian Fall Bazaar at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington DC

October 12th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | Event Website

Everyone who is interested in Russian food, music and culture come and join this annual Russian bazaar on October 12th & 13th. Two days rain or shine, you can enjoy Russia’s homemade cuisine, live music presented by many groups and bands, wide assortment of unique handicrafts, free tours of the St. Nicholas Cathedral and lots of activities for children.

Address

3500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,

Roses Three Ways with Tobie Whitman

October 12th, 2013 at 11:00 AM | 0 | info@heinercontemporary.com | Tel: 202-338-0072 | Event Website

In conjunction with Georgetown’s Fashion Art & Design weekend (FAD), Heiner Contemporary will host a flower arranging demonstration with Tobie Whitman of Allan Woods Flowers. The rose is one of the most celebrated and gifted flowers in the world. Please join us at the gallery on Saturday, October 12th, at 11 AM to learn several design techniques to bring novelty to this classic bloom.

Rachel Farbiarz: Take Me With You will remain on view through November 9th.

Address

1675 Wisconsin Ave NW

Hockey Games To Benefit Washington Navy Yard Survivors Fund

October 12th, 2013 at 07:00 PM | 50 | smcfarland@navyleague.org | Tel: (703) 528-1775 | Event Website](http://www.navyleague.org/hockey/)

The NHL’s Washington Capitals, DC Fire, DC Metropolitan Police and the Navy League of the United States have joined forces to offer a night filled with hockey and fun at the Verizon Center that will benefit the Washington Navy Yard Survivors Fund, established by the Navy League in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 16.
See the Caps take on the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. and then see the DC Fire and DC Metropolitan Police take to the ice in a charity game.

Address

Verizon Center, 601 F St NW

The Washington DCJCC Literary Festival, The Great Children’s Read: Bringing Books to Life

October 13th, 2013 at 10:00 AM | $12, Discounted $10 per family | litfest@washingtondcjcc.org | Tel: 2027773251 | [Event Website](http://washingtondcjcc.org/center-for-arts/literary/jewish-literary-festival/)

Celebrate books with crafts, folktales, a sing-along and story-time with Pamela Mayer, author of the 2013 Sugarman Family Children’s Book Award-winning Don’t Sneeze at the Wedding. We’ll also have a book fair with a wide selection of Jewish and other children’s books and a special guest: Elmo! We are collecting new or gently used books to donate to Reading Partners, an organization that helps children become lifelong readers.

Address

DCJCC, 1529 16th Street, NW

Chris Collat Album Release Party: The Road Home

October 14th, 2013 at 07:30 PM | 10 advance / $15 at the door | chris.collat@gmail.com | [Event Website](https://jamminjava.com/events/chris-collat)

Chris Collat is thrilled to announce the release party for his new album, The Road Home, Oct. 14 at 7pm at Jammin Java. This is an all-ages show. Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door.

Chris’ new album, The Road Home is available Oct 14, or Pre-order NOW on iTunes

Chris Collat – Put the words, “Red Hot” before you pronounce his last name and you will get it right every time. He is a soulful singer, guitarist, and songwriter who has been writing music since picking up the guitar at the early age of five. His gentle nature and soft spoken demeanor are a striking contrast to the performer who often leaves his audience surprised at the power and soul he conveys on stage.

Address

Jammin Java; 227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180

Georgetowner •

Officials, alumni and friends of Georgetown University gathered Oct. 9 to celebrate the creation of the McCourt School of Public Policy, endowed through a gift of $100 million — the largest gift in the university’s history — from alumnus Frank H. McCourt, Jr.

Emceeing the dinner, PBS News anchor Judy Woodruff greeted the large group in a tent on Copley Lawn next to Healy Circle. She said that “the shutdown could not shut down” the party for the McCourt School — the event had to be moved from the Library of Congress because of the partial government shutdown. Several noted the irony that a new school for public policy was founded during a government shutdown.

Among the notables at the dinner were Cardinal Theodore McCarrack, who blessed the crowd and “especially members of Congress.” Speaking of the new school, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said, “Let us pray some members of Congress will come here and study.”

Georgetown alumnus Rep. Charles Dingell, D-Mich., spoke of the “low charade” in the House of Representatives, where evidently “the values of Georgetown are needed.” He is the longest-serving member of the House.

“Dad would love it,” McCourt said of the new school, “founded in his loving memory,” as he saluted university officials for their collaboration.

According to the university, “the McCourt School of Public Policy will leverage Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C., its relationships with global leaders and its legacy of public service to launch a new approach to public policy. The McCourt School will contribute policy-based, data-driven research and solutions to the urgent policy issues of our time.”

“A new school for the common good is born,” continued McCourt, who pointed out the inscription front and center in Healy Hall’s Gaston Hall: “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Inque Hominum Salutem.” Its meaning — “For the greater glory of God and the salvation of humanity” — is a key principle of the school, McCourt said.

Likewise, university president John DeGioia thanked the McCourt family for its gift, saying, “We begin in gratitude,” and also repeated the Jesuits’ motto of “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.”

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., closed the celebration dinner with an old Irish blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you./May the road rise to meet you./May the wind be always at your back./May the sun shine warm upon your face./The rains fall soft upon your fields./And until we meet again,/May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

And with that, McCourt invited his Class of ’75 friends to an after party at the Tombs.

Marie Loiseau •

Washington, D.C., is home to some impressively hefty eating competitions. Two special gorging events will be a part of Taste of D.C., a weekend celebrating food and beverage, that will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 9th and 14th Streets on Oct. 12 and 13 from noon to 7 p.m. Taste of D.C. will feature more than 70 restaurants and more than 100 beers and wines. Its two eating competitions will be Ben’s Chili Bowl Chili Eating Championship and BGR The Burger Joint’s 9 lb Burger Eating Contest.

Ben’s Chili Bowl’s event will take place on Sat. Oct. 12 on the Taste of D.C. Main Stage at 9th and Pennsylvania Avenue. There will be two sessions of competition: one for military folks at 2:30 p.m., and another for professional eaters at 3 p.m. Last year’s professional winner, Tim “Eater-X” Janus woofed down two gallons of chili in just six minutes. He’ll be back to face off his foes and try to beat the World Record he tied last year.

BGR The Burger Joint worked through September, holding a Facebook contest to determine the three teams that will compete in its 9lb Burger Eating Contest on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. The three teams call themselves: DMV Eaters, Be the Bruce, and #Eatitude. Each team has four members, and will race to devour the burger that, with its bun and condiments, has a total weight of about fifteen pounds.

If that sounds appetizing, stop by BGR The Burger Joint and order your own. Nine-pounders are available any day of any week. Plus, if you eat it in less than an hour without getting up, it’s free.

Hamilton’s Bar & Grill is home of “The Fat Boy Challenge”: eat two double-decker, two half-pound patties with condiments (aka “Big Daddies”) and a pound of tater tots covered in chili and cheese. Finish all that in less than an hour? Get a free shirt.

Sprig & Sprout’s Glover Park restaurant will also be holding its very own Pho Challenge in the upcoming future. Participants will buy a $35 bowl of Pho, overflowing with two pounds of noodles, two pounds of meat, three quarters of broth, one-fourth pound of cilantro onion mix, and a half of a pound of bean sprouts. If the customer finishes the dish in less than sixty minutes, without taking a potty break or throwing up, it’s free. Victory will also be awarded with the hanging of a photo and plaque in the customer’s honor.

The contest will kick off when owner Jennifer Hoang gets a bowl big enough for all that soup. Guy Mason Pottery is expected to complete the bowl in the next two to three weeks. Sprig & Sprout will also be hosting an egg roll-eating competition in December, in honor of their one-year anniversary. More information on this will be available later.

So if you’re feeling hungry, head out to any of these places and take a whack at the challenge. Let the gorging begin.

Georgetowner •

Shop Smart! With Heart! Care For Kids Cards

October 18th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | annehpolk@verizon.net | Tel: 202-368-7165 | Event Website

Long and Foster, official banner sponsor, events you to help support Children’s National Medical Center. With the purchase of your Care for Kids Card, You can Shop and Save 20% Friday, Oct 18 to Sunday, Oct 27, 2013! The Care for Kids Card program is one of Washington’s most popular fall shopping events, bringing merchants, restaurants and YOU together for the benefit of Children’s National Medical Center.

The card entitles you to 20% discounts at participating merchants

Shop and Eat! From October 18th – 27th, 2013, use your card at participating merchants and restaurants and save 20%!

Address

Visit boardofvisitors.com/careforkids to purchase a card.

“The Changing Terrain of the American Religious Landscape” Conference

October 19th, 2013 at 08:45 AM | Adults $15 pre-registered ($20 at the door), students free pre-registered ($5 at the door). | grow@nationalpres.org | Tel: 202-537-7527 | Event Website

A conference hosted by The National Presbyterian Church will explore the growing challenge confronting our nation as the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated – the “nones” – continue to swell. Speakers Gregory Smith (director of U.S. religion surveys at the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project), and Michael Gerson (nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post) will examine these recent trends and offer insight on their meaning in today’s society.

Address

4101 Nebraska Ave. NW

Fall Foliage Tea and Tour

October 19th, 2013 at 10:30 AM | $25-$30 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Fall colors explode at Tudor Place! Stroll through Tudor Place’s 5.5 acres of gardens with Suzanne Bouchard, Director of Gardens and Grounds. The tour will highlight Tudor Place’s historic tree specimens and their fall foliage, including several 200 year old witness trees. After your tour enjoy a full afternoon tea, complete with scones, sandwiches, petite desserts, in Tudor Place’s enchanting Victorian Dower House.

Address

1644 31st Street, NW

Dance ‘Til Dawn

October 21st, 2013 at 05:00 PM | available in advance for $29.99 | Tel: (202) 803-2899 | Event Website

In Howards Theater’s newly renovated auditorium, join a super suave team of Vida Fitness instructors for electrifying fitness and non-stop Zumba fun with a special appearance by Zumba Jammer, Jose Asmat. A Masquerade Social” will immediately follow the dance party from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. that includes access to Howard Theatre’s full bar and food menu and a live performance by musical guest Elijah Rock. Costumes are optional but are strongly encouraged.

Address

The Howard Theatre; 620 T Street NW

Salsa FUNtensive

October 21st, 2013 at 07:30 PM | $120-$375 | dancesportendurance@gmail.com | Tel: 2023618633 | Event Website

Come join us for a fun progressive seven evenings of Salsa. No partner or previous dance training is necessary.
Experience the fun, spicy Salsa, and enjoy a great new way to meet people, exercise and dance.

Address

Regency Sport and Health, 1800 Old Meadow Road, McLean, Va. 22102

Washington International Horse Show

October 22nd, 2013 at 07:00 AM | $15-$60 | meghan@wihs.org | Tel: 202-525-3679 | Event Website

The Washington International Horse Show, the nation’s premier indoor metropolitan equestrian event, celebrates its 55th year Oct. 22-27, 2013. Tuesday through Saturday, daytime competition begins at 7 a.m., evening sessions begin at 7 p.m. Sunday runs 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The show features show jumping, hunter and equitation competition, plus special exhibitions, boutique shopping and hospitality. Highlights include Kids’ Day, Barn Night, and the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix.

Address

Verizon Center; 601 F Street, NW

Knock Out Abuse Against Women

November 14th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | $600 | elle@knockoutabuse.org | Tel: 202.725.5604 | Event Website

Knock Out Abuse Against Women is a Washington, D.C.-based organization that for the past 20 years has promoted awareness and raised money to combat domestic abuse. Since 1993, Knock Out Abuse Against Women has raised more than 5 million dollars to aid victims of domestic violence through supporting shelters for women and children whose lives have been shattered by abuse, poverty and homelessness.

Address

The Ritz Carlton Hotel; 1150 22nd Street NW,

Gary Tischler •

The return of the legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem to Washington in its debut at Harman Hall tonight, tomorrow and Saturday afternoon and evening — Oct. 17, 18 and 19 — is a big deal for the three participating institutions: the DTH, the Washington Performing Arts Society and CityDance.

It’s also a big deal for Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Jenelle Figgins, who is performing in the city where she was raised, lived, studied and was inspired to become a dancer. She is an alumna of our town’s own Duke Ellington School for the Arts.

The performances are two sets: “Gloria,” choreographed by Robert Garland; the world premiere of “past-carry-forward,” a new ballet by Harlem dancers Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis; and “Contested Space” by Donald Byrd, tonight at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and “Agon,” a work by George Balanchine to music by Igor Stravinsky, first performed by DTH last year; “Far But Close” by John Alleyne; “Return,” choreographed by Robert Garland to music by Aretha Franklin and James Brown; and “Glinka Pas de Trois,” another Balanchine on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m.

A resurgent Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded by New York City Ballet principal dancer Arthur Mitchell in the 1960s, returns to Washington under the leadership of Washington School of Ballet graduate Virginia Johnson.

The performances mark an expansion of the Washington Performing Arts Society’s dance program through a partnership with CityDance. Earlier this week, there were two lecture demonstrations on dance technique to CityDance students and other students in WPAS’s Capitol Dance programs at THEARC in Ward 8.

“This exciting partnership enables WPAS to expand our dance programming and present performances by vibrant companies and choreographers alongside meaningful learning and performance opportunities for students, a connection that is fundamental to WPAS’s mission,” said WPAS President and CEO Jenny Bilfield.

CityDance Executive Director Alexe Nowakowski said, “The partnership fulfills CityDance‘s mission to bring high-quality professional performers to the DC area and to present CityDance’s students with exposure to these artists. We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring such a celebrated company to the community.”

Jenelle Figgins is excited, too. A member of the company, she’ll be dancing in “Agon” and other parts of the programs, and she’ll be coming home as well. She and two of her sisters all went on to become dancers, including her twin Samantha, now with the New Complexions Contemporary Ballet. “We started when we were five,” Figgins said of herself and her sister Samantha. “We’re identical twins. We had as an example our older sister Dionne and all the encouragement from our mom Linda.”

She was here only recently with DTH last year in “Dance Across America.”

“This is even more special, because this is my hometown, because we’re working with other people, because this is what’s special about being in a company,” Figgins said. “It’s all about removing your ego, which is hard, you know.”

Both Jenelle and Samantha Figgins went through Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, the Dance Institute of Washington and Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts—“that was our high school, it was so important.”

She’s serious, in the sense that she’s given everything about dance and being a dancer a lot of thought and is articulate about expressing those thoughts. Figgins mused: “In a company, you’re reliant and work with everyone else. But it’s also about a visual language, a way of communicating through movement, through gestures and music, a different way of articulating the world and being in it. There is this great promise in dance and ballet, that you can travel through the world with it, that you can find new ways of expressing yourself.“

Her record of performance and training speaks for itself: she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Summer intensive, and attended SUNY Purchase New York and received her BFA with honors in dance. She was with Springboard Danse Montreal, and in her young (she’s 24) career featured in works by Sarah Mettin, Kevin Thomas Emily Molnar, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Balanchine, Nora Reynolds and Hinton Battles. She has performed with the Metting Movement Collective, Collage dance Collective and Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal.

You can see her online during a rehearsal of “La Bayarde,” and you see and feel her freedom and seriousness at the same time. And you can smile at the girl who attended Duke Ellington on 35th Street here in town, who is now Jenelle Figgins, ballerina.
[gallery ids="101501,151440" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

It’s over—sort of, and for now, but not forever, more like a couple of months, by which time we can all do this dance over again. Let’s do the time warp again, indeed.

We’re talking about the partial government shutdown, which lasted 16 days, and the U.S. debt limit deadline, which came the possibility of a default, which came perilously close to happening.

If nations can breathe, this one breathed an immense sigh of relief—but with teeth gritted, as angry as Peter Finch in the film, “Network”: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”

Take a look at House Speaker John Boehner, pumping his fist and then explaining things to his constituents in Cincinnati: “We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win.” Or as another die-hard Republican Tea Party type said: “ We tried. We lost.”

Then, let’s listen to Republican freshman Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who grandly said he would not try to stop the last-minute deal between Senate Democrats and Republicans from going forward and being passed on to the House where Boehner passed it lickety split, to beat the midnight deadline for default by at least some 66 minutes.

Is it just me, or does everybody think he had the votes all along?

If you’re looking for culprits for this shutdown, start with Cruz, who fabulously managed to convince some of his GOP peers in the Senate and especially the Tea Party stalwarts in the House—who have to date accomplished exactly nothing in terms of meaningful legislation, new ideas, stuff like that—that they could indeed win a battle to defund Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act, by threatening a government shutdown. Cruz lobbied, niggled and nagged. With a futile and weird filibuster, filled with references to Doctor Seuss among other things, he pushed his conservative allies to hold their ground.

Sure as shooting, despite every attempt by the GOP to seem conciliatory by sending over a flurry of bills, the administration and the Democrats stood their ground and refused to consider anything but a “clean” bill, minus anti-Obama care stipulations. As Obama put it grandly: “We will not let the United States government be held hostage.” Sure as shooting, the government shut down.

It has been a remarkable journey for Boehner, who had months ago refused to consider doing what he ended up doing, saying that Obamacare was the law and “We lost the election.” At the first sign of what the most conservative parts of the House were up to, he caved and joined them. Then, he said he would not allow the country to go into default. All along, he said complained that the president and Harry Reid refused to negotiate. Then, he said he didn’t have the votes to pass a House bill . Savvy insiders said that there were at least 22 or so GOP members willing to pass a clean bill Turns out, there were actually 87. Can you believe it?

It was about this time that Boehner said, “We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win.” On the same day, Rep. Mike Mulvaney, R-S.C., added: “We tried. We lost.”

Note to Mr. Boehner and Mr. Mulvaney: you didn’t lose.

We lost. We, the American people, Mr. Cruz, whom you kept quoting as if you were sleeping with us late at night when we gave up our secrets, we, the United States, lost—about 24 billion dollars, millions of hours of manpower, time and effort spent in crisis, worry, fear and misery, caused by you and your cohorts in the House.

I do recall both Cruz and the ladies on television shopping in Culpepper, Va., who insisted that “in order to get what you want, you have to make a sacrifice.”

Cruz, the GOP and the Tea Party conducted this foolhardy campaign to shut down Obomacare by any means necessary with an attitude that—to twist a phrase the greatest Republican who ever lived said—“was full of malice toward many and charity for none.” It was especially so for those thousands of government workers who were furloughed, tourists visiting the capital and the country’s national parks and museums, the City of Washington, which took a monumental hit, and the faith of Americans in government.

Were the president and the Democrats to blame, also? Sure: they too spent time in strategizing, figuring out what to spin, whom to pressure, where they could make political points and gains, all useless tasks that did nothing to alleviate a single American’s pain.

Veterans and truckers somehow combined for an Oct. 13 protest at the World War II Memorial, a place used by GOP politicians to grandstand and wrap themselves in the flag and pose with members of the Greatest Generation, making real again the old saying that “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

How else can one explain Cruz, who asked who could do such a thing as keeping veterans from visiting the WWII memorial. Actually, nobody, since no vet was denied access. But, to answer the question, why you could, Senator. Cruz, arguably the biggest game player in Washington, called for an end to game playing.

This is not a victory for anyone. Nobody won; nobody lost. This was a debacle, even as Tea Party legislators compared themselves to Gandhi—and, would you believe it, William Wallace, the Scottish patriot, glorified in the film, “Braveheart,” by Mel Gibson? Wallace, although dying very slowly and nobly in the movie, suffered drawing and quartering. The Tea Party, acting like Mel Gibson on a bad night, lost a head count. It was the American people who were drawn and quartered.