Be Very Afraid
Anne Martens
We live in a different world since 9/11. A world with big fences, riot geared cops, suspicion and frightful shadows. Disagreements are restricted to "free speech zones." Fences and guards surround the Capitol and all the Washington monuments. Lady Liberty is open, but her crown is off limits. Used to be that a "free speech zone" was any public sidewalk or space in the whole U.S. of A. Just a few years ago, I spent hours avoiding legal study by wandering the Capitol steps and climbing on assorted monuments (with occasional chastening by Capitol cops, but never a fear-inducing episode). But public places are no longer public.
People say they'd rather endure less freedom if it means extra protection. I'm not convinced that these gates and guards would really stop or even mitigate a terrorist attack, were one to occur. Back in the day, 2Pac used to say he'd "rather be caught with than without," (a handgun, that is). Determined to be a badass and enamored with the gangsta rap ethic (something about high school and wanting to piss off my parents), I heartily agreed with him. Then I figured out that the only reason to have a handgun is to shoot people, and if everybody has one then we're all that much more likely to get shot. Live by the sword/gate/gun/missile, die by the same. (And 2Pac was killed in an east/west coast gangsta rap rivalry shoot out, while I moved on to a less angry soundtrack). I can't help but think that Big Badass Bush is as much a wanna-be gangsta as he is a cowboy. Then again, regardless of the label, the result is the same.
Living in fear of the thing that already happened or the thing that we anticipate will happen or thing that could possibly happen leaves us all without any space, public or private, to enjoy life's less frightening happenings. This may tend towards fatalism, but I'd rather just have fun and accept the possibility that I could die at any moment in any number of dramatic or mundane manners than pretend that excessive precautions can prevent that possibility. Take that, zen master.
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8:44 p.m.
Aug 3, '04
There's an interesting New York Times article on the fortress-like changes to Washington DC. (If you don't have a username/password, check BugMeNot to find one.)
Architects call the increasing encroachment of safety measures into public space "security creep."
11:11 a.m.
Aug 4, '04
Annie, Peaches, you don't have to worry about terrorists you'll die screaming at me on your cell phone about how stiupid direct democracy is, as you drive off the Fremont Bridge.
Aug 4, '04
Well said Annie, I choose to live life without fear as any day can be our last,I'm much more concerned about red light runners and Tri-Met. I believe there is more going on below the surface and that fear is the tool of those that profit from the conditions that exist and are being perpetuated by the current administration. It's time for new leadership nationally and locally,and by the way I'm a strong supporter of Tom Potters campaign to change the way we govern (The choices we make and the lives we lead are driven by the values we hold)
5:54 p.m.
Aug 4, '04
I'm more terrified of spending one single minute more standing in the unholy dysfunction that is the Hawthorne-side check-out line of the SE 39th & Hawthorne Freddy's.
Aug 5, '04
"We had to destroy the village in order to save it...we had to curtail liberty in order to protect it."
Aug 5, '04
Seriously, I have no idea why in world the statue of liberty is closed. No idea. I keep trying to come up with a reason.....nope. Makes absolutely no sense to suddenly close it. Can anyone help me out on this?
Aug 6, '04
It's open again now. I think the idea was that it would make a perfect target for terrorists wanting to destroy an important American symbol. It would be demoralizing.
9:51 p.m.
Aug 9, '04
Hey Anne:
Good point about linking the irrationality of gun ownership (esp multiple, collect-them-like they're-going-out-of-style gun ownership) with our country's constant paranoia over terrorism.
The two fears seem to sprout from the same faulty logic and lead to the same results.
Aug 9, '04
Good point about linking the irrationality of gun ownership (esp multiple, collect-them-like they're-going-out-of-style gun ownership) with our country's constant paranoia over terrorism.
The two fears seem to sprout from the same faulty logic and lead to the same results.
<h2>Hmmm. Gun ownership akin to terrorism paranoia, huh? May I ask just what you deem the same 'faulty logic' to be?</h2>