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pnwmom

(110,345 posts)
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 09:31 PM 14 hrs ago

"Our nation was robbed." Reddit poster: Smithsonian was denied a permit for a 250th Folklife festival on the mall.

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Lasher (a host of the The DU Lounge forum).

I worked at Smithsonian, specifically raising money for 250th. What I want people to know is we secured millions of private philanthropy to host a month long Folklife Festival on the mall, “The Festival of Festivals”. Was going to feature well known festivals, think Burning Man, Farm Aid, Grand Ole Oprey etc. as well as smaller local and regional festivals from across the U.S. and territories. Goal was to feature truly the best and most beautiful creative expression in music, dance, arts and craft traditions, food, community etc. Can’t name names but plan was to have headliners every night for free concerts…. Think the types of names who might be affiliated with the aforementioned large festivals. Stars were willing to perform because was under banner of Smithsonian. It had to all be scrapped bc the administration would not release permits to host on the mall. The money went elsewhere, but our nation was robbed of what would have been a once in a generation cultural moment.
https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/1ueelg6/does_anyone_actually_know_whats_going_on_at_the/
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Our nation was robbed." Reddit poster: Smithsonian was denied a permit for a 250th Folklife festival on the mall. (Original Post) pnwmom 14 hrs ago OP
Our 250 anniversary is a fiasco instead of a celebration of a great milestone. The chaos in chief has seen to it Deuxcents 13 hrs ago #1
Instead of this, what are we getting,? Ilsa 13 hrs ago #2
That's why I refuse to watch any of it FakeNoose 12 hrs ago #4
I for one will not be watching t-rump swing his tiny mushroom around on the 4th... wcmagumba 13 hrs ago #3
In such a rush Mr.Bee 12 hrs ago #5
I'm betting that didn't grease Mierda47's palm, so they were denied the permit..Just wait and see. n/t aggiesal 12 hrs ago #6
Another time will have to suffice. Figarosmom 12 hrs ago #7
We should celebrate in that way when he's gone pioche4 12 hrs ago #8
Our nation was not robbed. LuvLoogie 11 hrs ago #9
We weren't robbed EnergizedLib 11 hrs ago #10
Locking. Lasher 9 hrs ago #11

Deuxcents

(28,205 posts)
1. Our 250 anniversary is a fiasco instead of a celebration of a great milestone. The chaos in chief has seen to it
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 10:10 PM
13 hrs ago

Wonder what history will say about this

Ilsa

(64,740 posts)
2. Instead of this, what are we getting,?
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 10:12 PM
13 hrs ago

Another trump political rally where he rants, lies, and acts like he has neurological problems for two hours? Why would anyone waste their time on that lld schtick?

FakeNoose

(43,001 posts)
4. That's why I refuse to watch any of it
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 11:14 PM
12 hrs ago

He will ruin it for everyone ... that's guaranteed.

wcmagumba

(6,956 posts)
3. I for one will not be watching t-rump swing his tiny mushroom around on the 4th...
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 10:30 PM
13 hrs ago

I think there is an alternative Liberal show, if so I'll watch that...otherwise I'll do my usual and watch 1776 the musical online somewhere...

Mr.Bee

(1,973 posts)
5. In such a rush
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 11:23 PM
12 hrs ago

to create a 'Not-See' nation.

aggiesal

(10,998 posts)
6. I'm betting that didn't grease Mierda47's palm, so they were denied the permit..Just wait and see. n/t
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 11:25 PM
12 hrs ago

Figarosmom

(14,643 posts)
7. Another time will have to suffice.
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 11:29 PM
12 hrs ago

As a celebration of getting it all back when this guy and his cohorts are gone. A celebration of woke throughout the world.

pioche4

(182 posts)
8. We should celebrate in that way when he's gone
Wed Jun 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
12 hrs ago

!!!

LuvLoogie

(9,048 posts)
9. Our nation was not robbed.
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:17 AM
11 hrs ago

Our nation squandered it's position. Mistook power for morality, wealth for well being.

This regime is peak America.

EnergizedLib

(3,218 posts)
10. We weren't robbed
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:20 AM
11 hrs ago

Some foreign country didn’t instill some dictator against our will via a violent coup.

We ate ourselves.

Lasher

(29,718 posts)
11. Locking.
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 02:23 AM
9 hrs ago

Please, no politics in the Lounge.

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