I used to ride the bus to work when I worked in DC near the Capital building. Then, it was Metro and bus. Changed buses at Lafayette Park near the White House. Lots of homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks and grass there in good weather. Some of them would attack you, although I never was. One time, an FBI agent stopped a guy who was ready to physically attack a woman in her 50's. That was the worst I saw.
Was also there when the Iranians were demonstrating and parading against the Shah. They wore paper bags over their heads and chanted what sounded like, The Shah is a jar of peanut butter.
I find DC very interesting and exciting when you are young. Great place. I like it now for the tourism and beauty. But not the traffic!!!
There was a lot of crime then, parked my car on the side streets and lost 2 batteries and one front tire. I remember jump starting it and buying a used battery and wheel from some shady repair shop for cash. (Probably was someone's stolen parts Finally I had to remove the grill and disable the hood latch to stop the batteries from getting stolen. SOBs
If you want to be, press one. If you want not to be, press 2
Republicans are red, democrats are blue, neither of them, gives a flip about you.
I interned (twice, in fact) at EOP in 1988 and 1989-90.
We had decent workshops with Bill Bennett, David Stockman, Jack Kemp, and Charles Murray.
I don't miss DC, at all, though.
I asked my buddy (Capitol Police) if mentioning Big Doug would help me in DC --- and he gave me a strange look, then said he could not discuss operational issues.
Finally I had to remove the grill and disable the hood latch to stop the batteries from getting stolen. SOBs 
