Today we continue the coverage of our series on Berks County citizens in Washington DC participating in rallies for judicial and government reform. Ardith continues her interviews with an anonymous citizen of Berks County.Ardith: Good morning!
MX: Good morning.
Ardith: So update me how things are going. It sounds crazy down there.
MX: It is indeed. It sort of reminds me of a cross between a commissioners meeting and King Frost parade.
Ardith: Okay, for those of us not from Berks County, what is the King Frost Parade?
MX: It is a Halloween parade held every year in a small town in the county. Thousands of people attend and basically act crazy. That's my take on it anyway.
Ardith: We don't have Halloween parades in Michigan. That's different.
MX: Very popular in Pennsylvania.
Ardith: So last night you spoke at a church in...
MX: The Washington DC area. Myself and others.
Ardith: Can you tell us what you spoke about or who was there to speak?
MX: Not really. But I can tell you that we showed some clips of commissioners meetings.....they are on the internet....and we did show court documents which are public record.
Ardith: And the reaction? I'm interested to hear the reaction.
MX: Well, it was very, very interesting.
Ardith: People were angry?
MX: Yes. Any time children are being hurt there is a visceral reaction amongst caring people of anger and outrage. We saw that last night amongst the conference participants.
Ardith: I'm curious to know how the government shut down is affecting all of this.
MX: Actually, I believe it is helping our cause. People are frustrated with their elected officials.
Ardith: Elected officials....In Berks County, are judges elected or appointed?
MX: That is a good point Ardith although as my kids would say, very random. (laughs) In Pennsylvania, judges are elected.
Ardith: (laughs) Stream of consciousness thing.Plus I am a little old lady. My mind does not work in logical ways at times! (laughs) You are more chatty today.
MX: I think it was all the sugar last night. We stopped at DC cupcakes last night and we had cupcakes for breakfast. Cupcakes and coffee, the breakfast of champions. (laughs) I want to point out that I do not usually partake of such a breakfast. I can see it now, people being accused of being poor parents for having cupcakes and coffee for breakfast one day while attending a conference.
Ardith: (laughs)You did of course, buy some for the good people back in Berks?
MX: We discussed it. We had to wait in line 2 hours for a cupcake. Should we buy some for our favorite folks back in Berks? But we decided they'd only throw them away anyway. It would have been a waste of money and of food.
Ardith: So it's loud down there! I can't get over that.
MX: It was louder last night. The parks service has shut down monuments due to the government budget issue. People last night were jumping over barricades in defiance. People are angry and outraged at the lack of co-operation amongst both houses of Congress. Of course, there was a meeting last night I have heard organized by the Republicans which the Democrats refused to attend.
Ardith: And today?
MX: There is a Congressional briefing on the subject we spoke about yesterday during our interview.
Ardith: It will still go on?
MX: Yes. We hear it is still on. We shall see. The meeting is slated for 10:30 EST.
Ardith: Okay, to be fair to Berks County, this issue is not just affecting this one small county in Pennsylvania.
MX: Correct. This is happening all over the country and we are asking the government to get involved and to investigate.
Ardith: Is this sort of thing more prevalent in certain communities?
MX: There are patterns that appear to be emerging. We will be presenting our evidence today.
Ardith: Wow.
MX: Yeah. I guess it is a wow.
Ardith: On a personal note, you did get me a cupcake didn't you?
MX: Actually.....no. No we didn't. (laughs) Sorry Ardith! I didn't want to be accused of bribery or something of that sort.
Ardith: I have to ask. What did you think of the cupcakes?
MX: The were okay. Very overpriced in my opinion however I suppose it is necessary to charge such a price to pay the bills. DC is expensive.
Ardith: And what is on the agenda now.
MX: We are going to sit outside the Smithsonian which has supposedly been shut down and watch angry people try to get in...watch the protests.....you know, things of that sort.
Ardith: You are joking of course.
MX: Maybe, and then again maybe not. We have a few hours to kill before the Congressional briefings, everything is shut down, and the line is too long to get more cupcakes I do believe. Drat. Although we could head over the Caribou Coffee house. It is a favorite hangout for many elected officials. Perhaps we could meet some of them and have a nice chat about issues!
Ardith: Madam X, always humorous and always level headed.
MX: I try anyway. I am called other things in Berks County you know.
Ardith: I can only imagine. Take care, stay safe, and good luck today!
MX: Thanks!
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