Make money doing the work you believe in
Trump’s Dead Duck Disaster at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
A dead duck was found floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool shortly after workers poured hydrogen peroxide into the water to combat algae blooms.
Now, several dead ducks have been found in and around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following recent renovations. The pool was drained and refurbished at a cost of over $14 million, with significant changes made, including the application of a new paint color described as "American Flag Blue." However, shortly after the pool was refilled, an algae bloom reemerged, leading to concerns about the health of the local wildlife.
The presence of dead ducks has raised alarms about the safety of the water in the Reflecting Pool. The National Park Service has been treating the pool with hydrogen peroxide to manage the algae, but the concentration used has raised concerns about its potential effects on wildlife. Experts suggest that while hydrogen peroxide can be less harmful than chlorine, high concentrations may pose risks to birds, especially ducklings
City Wildlife, a local wildlife organization, is conducting necropsies on the recovered ducks to determine the cause of death. The results are expected soon, and there are calls for further investigation into the environmental impact of the renovations and the treatment methods used in the Reflecting Pool. (1)
The irony of this situation serves as a metaphor for broader issues facing the American public which have been amplified under this Trump administration. The Lincoln Memorial ReflectingPool saga, mirrors concern about environmental stewardship, government spending, and the maintenance of national symbols.
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. The Reflecting Pool sits at the heart of Washington, D.C., a city that prides itself on being the beacon of democracy. The tagline ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’ feels eerily relevant here. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the decay of a natural space mirrors the erosion of public trust. When we neglect the health of our environment, even in symbolic spaces, we’re sending a message about our priorities. In my opinion, this isn’t just about ducks—it’s about the cracks in the foundation of how we care for our shared world. (2)
(2)
