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12 More Years
Author: BobR
Date: 05/02/2012 12:41:21
President Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan yesterday, on the one year anniversary of the removal of Osama bin Laden from the realm of the living. He reaffirmed the committment of the U.S. to leave the country by 2014, and not have any permanent bases. He surprised us a bit with a committment to have a small "training" and "tactical" force there until 2024:
Of course - not everyone is happy with this (I don't think I am myself):
As TriSec noted in his blog yesterday, we've lost nearly 2000 soldiers there over the past 10 years, as well as $1.3T (that's Trillion, with a "T"). There are Taliban fighters there now who were just kids when this started, and babes in arms right now will be training to be Taliban fighters in 2024. This is a war that cannot be won unless every last extremist is killed. Even then, who knows? In the U.S. deep south, there are still people who would be happy to restart the Civil War.
The Taliban themselves have indicated that since the weather is nice, they'll be rolling out their Spring Offensive. As if to punctuate that, they bombed Kabul yesterday in response to President Obama's visit:
Beyond the disheartening reality that we will be maintaining some sort of troop presence there for another 12 years, there's also the Obama-hating rhetoric from the right-wing noise machine who think the timing of his visit there is inappropriate. The double-talker himself tried to have it both ways:
Yes - Romney criticized Obama for "politicizing" the death of bin Laden at the same moment he was making a campaign stop in NYC - to commemorate the death of bin Laden. AND - he did it at a firehouse with Rudy "9/11" Giuliani. The hypocrisy is astounding (never mind that Romney had previously stated that killing bin Laden was too expensive to bother with).
Considering the expense already involved in our forays into the Middle East, the extra money involved in taking out the spiritual figurehead of the group who started us down this bloody path was well-spent to bring some closure, and allow us to move forward with winding down these wars. I do hope the news organizations that report on the wars for us keep us abreast of the status of the troop withdrawals.
I also hope those who return get the mental, medical, and financial care they deserve. That deserves vigilance within the press as well.
The new long-term partnership agreement governs the United States' role in Afghanistan for 10 years after NATO-led combat forces leave in 2014. It envisions that some American troops will remain after that date to train Afghan security forces and carry out counterterrorism strikes. NATO leaders are scheduled to be in Chicago in late May for a summit during which they are expected to spell out how the alliance's troops will hand over security duties to Afghan security forces throughout 2013.
Of course - not everyone is happy with this (I don't think I am myself):
"The agreement actually allows for sustaining a 'post-conflict' force of 20,000 to 30,000 troops for a continued training of indigenous forces," said Jacob George, a veteran and now anti-war activist quoted by IPS. "They are pretending this is something new, but it's not. That's what I was doing in 2001 -- and 2002, 2003 and 2004. This is just disastrous, for ten years, with the greatest military the world has ever seen, we've been unable to defeat people with RPGs. And a year after Bin Laden was killed, we're still planning to keep tens of thousands of troops there."
As TriSec noted in his blog yesterday, we've lost nearly 2000 soldiers there over the past 10 years, as well as $1.3T (that's Trillion, with a "T"). There are Taliban fighters there now who were just kids when this started, and babes in arms right now will be training to be Taliban fighters in 2024. This is a war that cannot be won unless every last extremist is killed. Even then, who knows? In the U.S. deep south, there are still people who would be happy to restart the Civil War.
The Taliban themselves have indicated that since the weather is nice, they'll be rolling out their Spring Offensive. As if to punctuate that, they bombed Kabul yesterday in response to President Obama's visit:
Taliban bombers attacked a heavily fortified guesthouse used by Westerners in Kabul on Wednesday, announcing the start of their annual “spring offensive” in defiance of assertions from US President Barack Obama during a visit to Afghanistan that the war was ending.
Seven people were killed after attackers dressed in burqas detonated a suicide car bomb and clashed with guards at the “Green Village” complex of guesthouses used by the European Union, the United Nations and aid groups, officials said.
The attackers’ ability to penetrate a tightened security cordon in the capital raises fresh concern about the resilience of the insurgency on the anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death as NATO winds down its combat presence in the next two years and hands over responsibility for security to Afghan forces.
Beyond the disheartening reality that we will be maintaining some sort of troop presence there for another 12 years, there's also the Obama-hating rhetoric from the right-wing noise machine who think the timing of his visit there is inappropriate. The double-talker himself tried to have it both ways:
Republican Mitt Romney praised President Barack Obama on Tuesday for taking out Osama bin Laden and said he would have done the same, but that it was “inappropriate” for the US leader to politicize the mission.
Romney, his party’s presumptive nominee in the presidential race, made his comments as he visited a fire house in Manhattan that lost 11 first responders to the 9/11 attacks of 2001.
Yes - Romney criticized Obama for "politicizing" the death of bin Laden at the same moment he was making a campaign stop in NYC - to commemorate the death of bin Laden. AND - he did it at a firehouse with Rudy "9/11" Giuliani. The hypocrisy is astounding (never mind that Romney had previously stated that killing bin Laden was too expensive to bother with).
Considering the expense already involved in our forays into the Middle East, the extra money involved in taking out the spiritual figurehead of the group who started us down this bloody path was well-spent to bring some closure, and allow us to move forward with winding down these wars. I do hope the news organizations that report on the wars for us keep us abreast of the status of the troop withdrawals.
I also hope those who return get the mental, medical, and financial care they deserve. That deserves vigilance within the press as well.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 12:54:09
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 12:54:09
Morning 
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 12:57:23
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 12:57:23
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
Comment by 
Raine on 05/02/2012 13:09:19
Raine on 05/02/2012 13:09:19
I just want afghanistan in the rear view mirror.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:16:16
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:16:16
Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 13:31:54
having a 75% illiteracy rate isn't exactly going to help matters much....
Raine on 05/02/2012 13:31:54
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 13:32:42
The debt only matters if it is a Dem in office I suppose.
I am so glad this guy is finished.
Raine on 05/02/2012 13:32:42
Quote by BobR:
In other news, Newt Gingrich is $4M in debt.
I am so glad this guy is finished.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:36:59
I suspect not.
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:36:59
Quote by Raine:having a 75% illiteracy rate isn't exactly going to help matters much....Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
I suspect not.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:55:35
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 13:55:35
aaww Liz made me smile 
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 13:56:50
Liz was awesome!
Raine on 05/02/2012 13:56:50
Quote by wickedpam:
aaww Liz made me smile
Liz was awesome!
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 14:02:04
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 14:02:04
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 05/02/2012 14:15:20
Will in Chicago on 05/02/2012 14:15:20
Good morning, bloggers!!
I am stopping by for a little bit as I have to be somewhere this afternoon.
In listening to the President's speech, I wonder what good a continued presence of U.S. and NATO forces can make in Afghanistan. It is hard to promote unity in a country where a good segment of the population do not see themselves as part of a unified nation and instead identify with their tribal groups.
I am stopping by for a little bit as I have to be somewhere this afternoon.
In listening to the President's speech, I wonder what good a continued presence of U.S. and NATO forces can make in Afghanistan. It is hard to promote unity in a country where a good segment of the population do not see themselves as part of a unified nation and instead identify with their tribal groups.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 14:30:39
so really its all the Soviet's fault
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 14:30:39
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
so really its all the Soviet's fault
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 14:38:10
Well our aiding the Muhajideen didn't help. We didn't vet the views of those who showed up to help the native Afgans wage war against the Russians. :cough Osama bin Laudin cough:
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 14:38:10
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
so really its all the Soviet's fault
Well our aiding the Muhajideen didn't help. We didn't vet the views of those who showed up to help the native Afgans wage war against the Russians. :cough Osama bin Laudin cough:
Comment by 
BobR on 05/02/2012 14:57:57
But THIS time around, we're arming and training the GOOD guys...
BobR on 05/02/2012 14:57:57
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
so really its all the Soviet's fault
Well our aiding the Muhajideen didn't help. We didn't vet the views of those who showed up to help the native Afgans wage war against the Russians. :cough Osama bin Laudin cough:
But THIS time around, we're arming and training the GOOD guys...
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:01:59
:Bill Cosby from the Noah routine: Riiiiiiiiiggggggggggggt!
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:01:59
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
There is a reason Afganistan is called "The Graveyard of Empires." It was the only country in Central Asia that never fell under imperial rule from either Russia or England in the 19th Century. They both tried and failed. England actually tried twice.
I wonder why that is? Most places in the world find a way to govern itself but that section of the world hasn't been able to find one.
They have been pefectly capible of governing themselves. The Afgan monarchy worked really well until the Sovient Union showed up in 79
so really its all the Soviet's fault
Well our aiding the Muhajideen didn't help. We didn't vet the views of those who showed up to help the native Afgans wage war against the Russians. :cough Osama bin Laudin cough:
But THIS time around, we're arming and training the GOOD guys...
:Bill Cosby from the Noah routine: Riiiiiiiiiggggggggggggt!
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 15:08:10
Raine on 05/02/2012 15:08:10
So, this made me smile...
The young Obama, literary critic
Read the letter.
And then tell me, could you imagine for one minute Dubya writing anything like that?
The young Obama, literary critic
Vanity Fair excerpts some of David Maraniss forthcoming Obama biography, exploring the future president's time in New York and his relationship with two women as the young Barack Obama struggled with race, identity and his purpose in life.
In this letter to one of his romantic partners, Obama holds forth on literature — praising author T.S. Eliot's "conservatism" and saying he respects it more than some "bourgeois liberalism."
Read the letter.
And then tell me, could you imagine for one minute Dubya writing anything like that?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:13:38
But he said boojwah liberalism that makes him a socialist commie, right?
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:13:38
Quote by Raine:
So, this made me smile...
The young Obama, literary criticVanity Fair excerpts some of David Maraniss forthcoming Obama biography, exploring the future president's time in New York and his relationship with two women as the young Barack Obama struggled with race, identity and his purpose in life.
In this letter to one of his romantic partners, Obama holds forth on literature — praising author T.S. Eliot's "conservatism" and saying he respects it more than some "bourgeois liberalism."
Read the letter.
And then tell me, could you imagine for one minute Dubya writing anything like that?
But he said boojwah liberalism that makes him a socialist commie, right?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:22:38
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 15:22:38
Comment by 
Scoopster on 05/02/2012 15:51:24
Scoopster on 05/02/2012 15:51:24
Mornin' all.. 
Is it Friday yet?
Is it Friday yet?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 16:16:43
Sadly, no
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 16:16:43
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
Sadly, no
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 16:23:04
right?
Here is the Vanity Fair Article.
Raine on 05/02/2012 16:23:04
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
So, this made me smile...
The young Obama, literary criticVanity Fair excerpts some of David Maraniss forthcoming Obama biography, exploring the future president's time in New York and his relationship with two women as the young Barack Obama struggled with race, identity and his purpose in life.
In this letter to one of his romantic partners, Obama holds forth on literature — praising author T.S. Eliot's "conservatism" and saying he respects it more than some "bourgeois liberalism."
Read the letter.
And then tell me, could you imagine for one minute Dubya writing anything like that?
But he said boojwah liberalism that makes him a socialist commie, right?
Here is the Vanity Fair Article.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 16:26:52
I did not know this. It's a little fascinating to me, from a pop culture POV.
That said, from just that ONE paragraph, If I ever hear someone call him an elitist again, I will remind them... Not so much.
Raine on 05/02/2012 16:26:52
Obama’s first apartment in New York, which he shared with Phil Boerner, a friend from Oxy, was at 142 West 109th Street. Heat and hot water were scarce commodities. When the nights turned colder, the roommates took to sleeping bags for warmth and spent as little waking time in the apartment as possible, holing up in Butler Library, at 114th, parts of which were open all night. Some mornings, eager to flee their quarters, they walked to the corner of Broadway and 112th to eat at Tom’s Restaurant, the place immortalized later as the fictional Monk’s, a familiar meeting place for the characters on Seinfeld. A full breakfast went for $1.99.
I did not know this. It's a little fascinating to me, from a pop culture POV.
That said, from just that ONE paragraph, If I ever hear someone call him an elitist again, I will remind them... Not so much.
Comment by 
livingonli on 05/02/2012 16:29:16
livingonli on 05/02/2012 16:29:16
Hey, folks. Romney wouldn't last a second in that apartment.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 16:36:45
FTW!
Raine on 05/02/2012 16:36:45
Quote by livingonli:
Hey, folks. Romney wouldn't last a second in that apartment.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 18:00:40
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 18:00:40
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 18:06:57
This is MORE reason for better Regulations.
Raine on 05/02/2012 18:06:57
Quote by Mondobubba:
This is alarming. Remember when actual newspapers did this?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 18:09:52
Whenever I check out ProPublica, I get enraged or alarmed or both by what I read. It is a truly great website.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 18:09:52
Quote by Raine:This is MORE reason for better Regulations.Quote by Mondobubba:
This is alarming. Remember when actual newspapers did this?
Whenever I check out ProPublica, I get enraged or alarmed or both by what I read. It is a truly great website.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 18:29:07
Raine on 05/02/2012 18:29:07
Junior Seau has apparently committed suicide. 
Comment by Scoopster on 05/02/2012 18:54:53
WHOA wtf????
Scoopster on 05/02/2012 18:54:53
Quote by Raine:
Junior Seau has apparently committed suicide.
WHOA wtf????
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:04:55
Well that sucks.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:04:55
Quote by Raine:
Junior Seau has apparently committed suicide.
Well that sucks.
Comment by Scoopster on 05/02/2012 19:08:57
Actually now that I think about it, this isn't the first time he's tried to seriously hurt/kill himself. A few years back he drove his SUV over a small cliff at the edge of the PCH.
Scoopster on 05/02/2012 19:08:57
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Junior Seau has apparently committed suicide.
WHOA wtf????
Actually now that I think about it, this isn't the first time he's tried to seriously hurt/kill himself. A few years back he drove his SUV over a small cliff at the edge of the PCH.
Comment by livingonli on 05/02/2012 19:23:16
livingonli on 05/02/2012 19:23:16
Now if only someone could go down and taunt Gingrich since he is not too far from a few bloggers giving his goodbye speech.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 19:27:21
It just sucks.
Raine on 05/02/2012 19:27:21
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Junior Seau has apparently committed suicide.
WHOA wtf????
Actually now that I think about it, this isn't the first time he's tried to seriously hurt/kill himself. A few years back he drove his SUV over a small cliff at the edge of the PCH.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 19:27:59
I suspect he's at the Best Western --- that room is small as hell.
Raine on 05/02/2012 19:27:59
Quote by livingonli:
Now if only someone could go down and taunt Gingrich since he is not too far from a few bloggers giving his goodbye speech.
I suspect he's at the Best Western --- that room is small as hell.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:38:23
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:38:23
Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:40:00
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 19:40:00
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 19:42:46
Raine on 05/02/2012 19:42:46
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 19:46:44
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 19:46:44
OMG! she actually looks baked
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 19:54:55
I never heard of parkington, so I looked it up:
Raine on 05/02/2012 19:54:55
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.
On November 4, 1951, the Parkington Shopping Center opened at the intersection formerly known as Balls Crossroads, on the site of the present Ballston Common Mall. Parkington was anchored by the headquarters location of the Hecht Company and was reputed to have the largest parking garage in the U.S. when it opened. For some time afterward, Ballston became commonly known as Parkington.
Ballston entered a period of decline in the 1960s and 1970s, but grew and changed considerably after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened the Ballston Metrorail station (originally to be called the "Glebe Road" station) on December 1, 1979. The construction of the station necessitated the relocation of the Ballston Volunteer Fire Department located at 911 North Stuart Street. As a condition of the sale of the fire station the volunteer firefighters insisted the name be changed from "Glebe Road" to "Ballston," thus reviving the "Ballston" name which had all but faded into history.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 20:10:13
One of MiL's sisters, her hubby was one of the first motorcycle cops in Arlington back in the 20s.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 20:10:13
Quote by Raine:I never heard of parkington, so I looked it up:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.On November 4, 1951, the Parkington Shopping Center opened at the intersection formerly known as Balls Crossroads, on the site of the present Ballston Common Mall. Parkington was anchored by the headquarters location of the Hecht Company and was reputed to have the largest parking garage in the U.S. when it opened. For some time afterward, Ballston became commonly known as Parkington.
Ballston entered a period of decline in the 1960s and 1970s, but grew and changed considerably after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened the Ballston Metrorail station (originally to be called the "Glebe Road" station) on December 1, 1979. The construction of the station necessitated the relocation of the Ballston Volunteer Fire Department located at 911 North Stuart Street. As a condition of the sale of the fire station the volunteer firefighters insisted the name be changed from "Glebe Road" to "Ballston," thus reviving the "Ballston" name which had all but faded into history.
One of MiL's sisters, her hubby was one of the first motorcycle cops in Arlington back in the 20s.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 20:25:50
You know how most of Balston is high rise apartments and condos? No so much back in the day (ie the early 80s). Back then it was almost all these post WW II single family homes, not real big mind you, but nice. I know this because at what seemed liked great personal risk, I made the trip out to Balston at the end of subway line to go to the Arlington Record and Tape Exchange. The only place in the DC area I could find that had the Brian Eno produced Televsion "Little Jimmy Jewel" EP. ARTE was in one of those houses. Once the damn mall opened, it was all down hill from there.
Mondobubba on 05/02/2012 20:25:50
Quote by Raine:I never heard of parkington, so I looked it up:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.On November 4, 1951, the Parkington Shopping Center opened at the intersection formerly known as Balls Crossroads, on the site of the present Ballston Common Mall. Parkington was anchored by the headquarters location of the Hecht Company and was reputed to have the largest parking garage in the U.S. when it opened. For some time afterward, Ballston became commonly known as Parkington.
Ballston entered a period of decline in the 1960s and 1970s, but grew and changed considerably after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened the Ballston Metrorail station (originally to be called the "Glebe Road" station) on December 1, 1979. The construction of the station necessitated the relocation of the Ballston Volunteer Fire Department located at 911 North Stuart Street. As a condition of the sale of the fire station the volunteer firefighters insisted the name be changed from "Glebe Road" to "Ballston," thus reviving the "Ballston" name which had all but faded into history.
You know how most of Balston is high rise apartments and condos? No so much back in the day (ie the early 80s). Back then it was almost all these post WW II single family homes, not real big mind you, but nice. I know this because at what seemed liked great personal risk, I made the trip out to Balston at the end of subway line to go to the Arlington Record and Tape Exchange. The only place in the DC area I could find that had the Brian Eno produced Televsion "Little Jimmy Jewel" EP. ARTE was in one of those houses. Once the damn mall opened, it was all down hill from there.
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 20:49:52
Raine on 05/02/2012 20:49:52
Comment by Raine on 05/02/2012 20:53:40
Balston reminds me of Buckhead in Atlanta.
I like the areas in between these neighborhoods, the houses are really nice.
Raine on 05/02/2012 20:53:40
Quote by Mondobubba:
You know how most of Balston is high rise apartments and condos? No so much back in the day (ie the early 80s). Back then it was almost all these post WW II single family homes, not real big mind you, but nice. I know this because at what seemed liked great personal risk, I made the trip out to Balston at the end of subway line to go to the Arlington Record and Tape Exchange. The only place in the DC area I could find that had the Brian Eno produced Televsion "Little Jimmy Jewel" EP. ARTE was in one of those houses. Once the damn mall opened, it was all down hill from there.
I like the areas in between these neighborhoods, the houses are really nice.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/02/2012 20:56:13
Was that in a little red house?
wickedpam on 05/02/2012 20:56:13
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I never heard of parkington, so I looked it up:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Nope, my bad, he's in Balston.
:cough PARKINGTON cough: At least that is how those associated with MiL roll.
MiL of course is a 3rd gen Arlingtonian. Which made Mrs Mondo a 4th gen Arlingtonian. Let that sink in.On November 4, 1951, the Parkington Shopping Center opened at the intersection formerly known as Balls Crossroads, on the site of the present Ballston Common Mall. Parkington was anchored by the headquarters location of the Hecht Company and was reputed to have the largest parking garage in the U.S. when it opened. For some time afterward, Ballston became commonly known as Parkington.
Ballston entered a period of decline in the 1960s and 1970s, but grew and changed considerably after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority opened the Ballston Metrorail station (originally to be called the "Glebe Road" station) on December 1, 1979. The construction of the station necessitated the relocation of the Ballston Volunteer Fire Department located at 911 North Stuart Street. As a condition of the sale of the fire station the volunteer firefighters insisted the name be changed from "Glebe Road" to "Ballston," thus reviving the "Ballston" name which had all but faded into history.
You know how most of Balston is high rise apartments and condos? No so much back in the day (ie the early 80s). Back then it was almost all these post WW II single family homes, not real big mind you, but nice. I know this because at what seemed liked great personal risk, I made the trip out to Balston at the end of subway line to go to the Arlington Record and Tape Exchange. The only place in the DC area I could find that had the Brian Eno produced Televsion "Little Jimmy Jewel" EP. ARTE was in one of those houses. Once the damn mall opened, it was all down hill from there.
Was that in a little red house?
Comment by Scoopster on 05/02/2012 22:50:10
Scoopster on 05/02/2012 22:50:10
Found on my FB feed.. newborns for sale! AWWWWWZ! 
Comment by Raine on 05/03/2012 04:10:45
7 minutes left in the THIRD OT. I wonder if liv is working....
Raine on 05/03/2012 04:10:45
7 minutes left in the THIRD OT. I wonder if liv is working....
Comment by Raine on 05/03/2012 04:21:36
Raine on 05/03/2012 04:21:36
Well that was a damn heartbreaker.
Comment by livingonli on 05/03/2012 05:09:40
livingonli on 05/03/2012 05:09:40
I got home in time to catch the winning goal. We were watching at work and fortunately I was not scheduled to do the post game tonight but I am Saturday (although that's a 12:30 game). What's going to be interesting is if that game goes to overtime if they will move it to NBC Sports because NBC has the Kentucky Derby after it and that's a more lucrative contract than the NHL.