Decibel Absurdity

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) D.C. law allows non-commercial speech to be amplified at unlimited decibels anywhere in the city between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The issue at H and 8th Streets NE is about amplifiers, some of which blare at more than 100 decibels for four hours every Saturday. To what does that compare? A power lawnmower registers at 90 decibels, a rock concert between 105-110. Welcome to the neighborhood. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)