Gothamist: City Does It Thing During Terror Alert

Tim N.

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 15:45:59 -0500

"Naturally, the common people don�t want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.� H. Goerring "If you want to be a hero then just follow me." J. Lennon

Tom

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 14:35:12 -0500

While we're on this topic - my wife and six of her colleagues made their way to Houston's inside the Citicorp building yesterday for lunch, for what might be possibly the first party of seven to ever get a table immediately. She said while they were pretty much the only people there, the food was as good as always, and the staff was super nice. Hopefully this "empty" trend won't continue to be the case at this and other restaurants in concerned buildings.

Dirk

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 13:51:36 -0500

I did read the entire article (and many more). Yes, I know they uncovered a collection operation where The Terrorists� gathered lots of information. Like I asked, why was this terror alert issued now as opposed to when they first found out about it? Why not beef up security at Prudential, NYSE, IMF, World Bank and CitiGroup years ago? The timing is suspicious. All of the sudden, manhole covers are sealed, barricades are erected -- not when they found out about the operation years ago, but right after the convention. Remember the terror alert Ashcroft issued a few weeks ago, warning Americans to look out for terrorists who looked "European"? The one even Ridge wouldn't back-up? Yeah, that's a specific warning -- watch out for European-looking terrorists. That warning was issued right after Kerry announced Edwards as his veep and he got a slight bump in the polls. I try and try to give the government the benefit of the doubt but I'm getting sick of this. Speaking of the Post and News, as much as I like reading about Paris' bruises and crazy helper monkeys (see today's News!), they didn't cover this story. Maybe tomorrow they will, but I doubt it.

jenny

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 13:42:44 -0500

Bloomberg wouldn't have had to go on the citywide Remain Calm Tour if Bush and his cronies would just shut up already. Do they think this is going to make New Yorkers more welcoming of their stupid convention. Bring 'em on!

Sonya

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 12:56:26 -0500

That's the secret of controlling people: get them scared and they will do anything you want them to do. That's why dictators don't like humor--once you stop taking the dictator/controller seriously, the game is up. So, the key is to keep the people scared--war abroad, terrorist threats at home.

I hate Republicans

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 12:38:15 -0500

Hmm, how wonderful that the Citicorp tower was supposedly Terrorist Target Number One and Laura Bush and those lovely twins had the Courage� to defy Those Who Hate Us and make an appearance! Thankfully the fair and balanced New York Post can reassure us that all the Citicorp workers were touched and blessed by this act of benevolence and apolitical generosity.

honey2

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 12:32:26 -0500

i'm just glad my building took the huge prudential sign off the facade yesterday.

George

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 11:41:18 -0500

These are rough times. As long as I can surf for pornography and take my prozac, I am okay. If it gets worse, I get drunk at my favorite bar. Is New York heaven or hell? I don't really know.

james

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 11:15:00 -0500

hey Dirk, read the whole article in the Times, not just the headline. "What we've uncovered is a collection operation as opposed to the launching of an attack," a senior American official said. As for not reading the Post or the News, screw that. There was a great Page Six piece about Paris Hilton's bruises and the always informative Hamptons insider. Together with the puff piece on Tom Cruise, it was great subway ride to work today!

Dirk

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 11:03:01 -0500

Read today's papers (not the Post or News, of course). From AP to the NY Times, they're all reporting that the info about this terror alert is several years old -- why the sudden ringing of alarms? Oh wait, the Democratic convention was last week...

Estella

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 10:08:04 -0500

As I have been to the mayor's BBQ shindigs before, I can assure you that you aren't missing too much. Although the grounds of Gracie mansion are nice, the fare is mainly hotdogs, hamburgers, and the typical punch/coleslaw/pickles. Hope this helps the curiousity.

dirtgirl

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 09:59:03 -0500

man, this sucks! in the past cops would appear randomly, but no more than once a month, at the entrance to the williamsburg bridge from the BQE and just sit there all day in their cars, drinking coffee or something, closing down a lane. traffic would back up for miles, adding a half hour or more to my commute. and they wouldn't do shit, they weren't even LOOKING at the cars that went by. SO NOW... they seem to be doing this every day and are at least standing on the road and looking into cars as they pass by. I guess that's additional security, but it means an extra three hours a week sitting in my car. I agree with you, evamn, they are going to make this city totally unliveable by the time they're done.

evamn

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 09:35:21 -0500

How come I get this feeling all these shenagegans are for advertisement of the upcoming Republican Convention? I'm near the Stock Exchange and the situation is ridiculous. They have taken this historic district and turned it into obstacle course. The whole area has been filled with hideous barriers of various types and use trucks as moveable barricades. It has destroyed the whole flavor of the neighborhood. I agree that some measures need to be taken into consideration, but please stop making feel like an over grown forgotten construction site.