the reflecting pool reflects back

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was recently painted a proud, symbolic blue. Within days it turned green. Officials blamed algae. Others blamed sabotage. Still others blamed bureaucracy, contractors, weather, chemistry, or politics. Yet there is another possibility worth considering. If a pool is blue, and enough people keep urinating in it, eventually it turns green. The question is not whether somebody damaged the water. The question is whether the contamination is coming from outside the pool or from those standing closest to it. As a metaphor for the present state of American governance, it is almost too perfect. Grand promises, expensive renovations, patriotic colours, public relations campaigns, accusations, excuses, and then a slow spreading green stain nobody can quite explain away. Perhaps the Reflecting Pool is finally living up to its name. It is reflecting exactly what is happening around it.