Mentally Challenged in D.C.

The Kennedy Center: Where Outrage Is Always in Season (If Trump's Involved)

Oh, the horror. The Kennedy Center—a facility desperately needing renovation—will close for two years to be completely rebuilt into a world-class entertainment complex. Financing is secured. The timeline is set. And naturally, Washington is melting down.

Let's review the objections. Congress wasn't consulted? The same Congress that's watched the facility struggle to fill seats while doing precisely nothing about it for decades? That Congress? The one that excels at holding hearings, issuing statements, and accomplishing absolutely zilch? Shocking they feel left out.

A composer withdrew his Lincoln symphony because the Kennedy Center's values supposedly conflict with Lincoln's message. One wonders if he's aware Lincoln was a Republican who faced constant hysterical opposition from those convinced he was destroying the country. The irony writes itself.

Here's what actually happened: a building that needs work will get work. A president who knows how to execute large-scale projects is executing one. Funding is arranged. A completion date exists. In Washington terms, this qualifies as a miracle.

But Trump's involved, so it's bad. Deportations? Catastrophic under Trump, perfectly acceptable under anyone else. Infrastructure improvements? Tyranny if Trump does it, visionary leadership otherwise. The pattern is tedious and transparent.

Decade after decade, Washington's institutions have crumbled while politicians issued press releases expressing deep concern. Now someone's actually fixing things, and the professional complainers are apoplectic.

Philip Glass can perform his symphony elsewhere. Representative Beatty can issue more statements. The perpetually outraged can stay outraged.

Meanwhile, adults will renovate a building that needs renovating. The mentally ill running Washington's opinion circles can seek treatment. The rest of us will await a spectacular new Kennedy Center.

Get a life, people.