August 04, 2004
Zeitgeist Check
From the MTA website home page, this image sums up the current situation, promoting simultaneously the campaign to watch for suspicious packages and beach trips on the LIRR:
Ahh, Summer in New York: beaches and amusement parks, automatic weapons and concrete barricades. Shall we go to the park or down in the bomb shelter? Stock up on beer or Cipro?
I did find that same odd juxtaposition on Sunday when we went down to Wall Street for the bike race, at the same time they announced the terror alert. I ran into three athletic guys that looked straight off the golf course: tan pants, blue polo shirts. The Glocks on their belts were a little odd, admittedly, until I saw the discreet "NYPD Anti-Terrorism" symbol on the shirts. Very different garb from the usual flak jackets and helmets, but they must want to send different messages in different situations: Kids, sleep soundly—our golf courses are safe tonight.