When the parking system breaks down, the terrorists have won

Washington Monthly, July-August, 2006 by Charles Peters

For readers who miss our retired feature, the Memo of the Month, for old time's sake, here's one dug up by my friend Al Kamen. It's from the Department of Homeland Security about Janet Hale, the agency's undersecretary for management:

"Subject: RE: Parking Space #016 Ms. Janet Hale To all, Please pass the word to all employees who have inner compound parking to refrain from parking in space #016 (Ms. Janet Hale's parking space) located in front of the press conference building. On several occasions this week Ms. Hale's space has been unavailable to her in the morning."

When you wonder what Washington bigshots worry about when they clearly are not worried about your problems, you may be sure that defending or securing a privileged parking place is high on the list that arouses their deepest feelings. This is especially true of the level just below the top, where perks are less automatic and more likely to be subject to competition.