Irony

One of the tenets of our nation is the right of assembly, where people may gather and peaceably protest any wrongs.

Some of our nation's greatest protests have occurred on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. During the 1960s, protests took place in support of the civil rights movement and in opposition to the Vietnam War.

The latter protests captured my interest today.

The Associated Press conducted an investigation about the state of the National Mall, a story which  the Mirror ran in July.

An AP analysis of congressional spending since 2005 found the mall has been at a disadvantage in competing for extra funds doled out by lawmakers, compared with sites that are represented by powerful members of Congress, the story stated.

As a result, the mall was quickly becoming a national disgrace. The grass can't grow. There are crumbling sidewalks and fetid reflecting pools.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announced today that it will take over lawn care for 13.5 acres and spend $96,000 in the coming months to repair a broken irrigation system and provide weed treatment, fertilization, aeration and other work, the AP reported.

The same people, our Vietnam veterans, who were protested against in the 1960s are going to protect some of the same ground that was used to as a staging area against the war for which they honorably served.

That is irony. This is one reason why our nation is great.