FDR and Bi-Coastal Conversations

One of the best part of being a Los Angeles boy in Washington, D.C. is hosting folks from L.A. who come to the nation’s capital for the first time.  I love watching people as they react to the city, its vibes and offerings.  One of the best labs for this experiment is the FDR Memorial.

I am not sure what exactly makes it such an interesting place to talk to West Coasters about what the city says to them, how they view their Americanism, what patriotism means to them, but it never disappoints.  President Roosevelt’s life and legacy — and the story the monument tells in the stunning combination of stone, water, greenery and scenery — gets people talking.

Last week I had some friends in town and found myself talking about these ideas.  These are some of the savviest and hippest people I know, with big brains and big hearts.  So I knew their reaction was going to interest me.  One of them said something that struck me.  I am not sure if she realized the power of her comment, but I am going to use it as one of my anthems.  As we exited the monument, after looking at the view of DC from its eastern terrace, she stated with certainty and poise that America “has a lot to say.”   I couldn’t agree more.

From that point, the evening’s conversation turned to analysis of various aspects of D.C. vs. L.A. life (traffic, people’s attitudes, schools, raising kids, the culture scene, etc.).  And as we juxtaposed and compared, it made her thesis even more interesting.  Indeed America has a lot to say.  I love living in a city where you can get help from President Roosevelt to get that conversation going…