What part of "Say intentions" do you not understand? The controller knows
you don't want to go through the weather and he's just informed you that
you're not going through Potomac approach. So tell him what you do want
to
do! If he can accommodate you you'll be cleared that way, if not he may
suggest an alternative. How do you expect him to know what you want if
you
don't tell him? Stop being an asshole and start being a pilot.

Steven, I don't know if you are a pilot who flies solo IFR. But in the
cockpit of most singles or light twins on an IFR flight plan the "big
picture" of nearby convective activity is usually not available in real
time. The pilot perhaps spent 15-30 minutes studying the airspace and
weather, filed an IFR flight plan, had the clearance issued and launched. He
understood that he might be issued an amended clearance (most of us are
prepared for that), a hold or be given a vector for deviation but it is
difficult to expect him to in essence file a new "flight plan" in the air
without "all the information" necessary for the flight (as the FARs state).
The ATC at that point in time knows the "big picture" much better than the
pilot (closed airspace, severe weather, etc.) and it would be helpful if
they could present him with a workable alternate plan which he could then
analyze and either accept or reject. Within the previous hour the pilot had
analyzed many factors, planned a flight and submitted it. It was accepted.
Now he might repeat that process with less information available, propose
it, and then have it rejected again. Perhaps repeat the cycle several times
not really knowing what ATC wants. All this while flying the airplane in
less than optimal weather. There are still planes out there flying IFR below
the flight levels, using VHF radios and sporting numbers that begin with N.
It's a messy system but we have to work together. As I said earlier I have
never run across this scenario before. Usually the controller will issue an
amended clearance or propose a couple of alternatives which will work for
both of us.

Howard
C182P