Capitol Investment

Here's a picture of the U.S. Capitol dome currently:

Here's one from 1861 - Lincoln's inauguration in March:

Crisis is a time for investment of all sorts, a time to repair and handle problems long put off. And here it is again.  Evidently there has been some significant damage to the dome since the last major restoration 55 years ago.

Although you have to think that the South should have seen that - a major addition to the existing government buildings for aesthetic reasons despite the pending conflict - and reconsidered secession...

Lana del Rabbit

Listening to Lana del Rey the other day, the idea that she was a Civic torch singer reminded me of Mrs. Jessica Rabbit.  Had anyone else thought of that idea? Well, yes - and fairly recently, at that.

Jessica Rabbit is the unexpectedly sultry wife of Roger Rabbit, in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The movie is set in 1947, just after World War II. In addition to the persecution of Toons, it relies on post-war corruption as part of the tale.  Although her age is not precisely given, she appears to be in her 20s - perhaps early 30s -  which would have her born around or soon after 1917 - a solid Civic herself.

(Although, as a color Toon, she must be younger than Betty Boop, of course...)

In any case, Lana del Rey has been covering the Peggy Lee tune that Jessica Rabbit sang quite memorably. And she's been dressing up like her, as well.