The Electric Egg Cream

I’m absolutely sick and tired of New York City’s war on terror ’s security obstacles and spectacles. Since 9/11, the sight of barricaded streets, restricted building areas, security checkpoints, and similar curtailments of liberties, have taken their toll on most people’s ability to suspend disbelief and anxiety attacks. If anything, as I remember that amazing day (even putting aside its mythical elements), the attacks were from the sky; and the supposed terrorists didn’t force but bought their way on to the four flights. Since then, our NORAD defense system hasn’t received any modification nor funding, airport security is steadily decreasing, and our borders are left mostly unguarded. Regardless of those technicalities, we have these anti-terrorist exhibitions and sideshows here in New York. 

But what I find the most aggravating is the off-and-on again  appearance of an army of Commando Joe-types with grimacing looks and snarling dogs that suddenly materialize throughout the city for their place in the sun and shade.They’re currently appearing on subway platforms and trains everywhere for the menacing entertainment of news photographers and rush hour commuters along the rails.

It’s so comforting to ride the F train (as I did today) and have a John the Evangelist seated to my right droning on that “I saw Jesus, yes I did, he was there before me, yes he was…” and standing to my left a Commando Joe with the barrel of a submachine gun at my shoulder and a stressed-out, bomb-sniffing Rin Tin Tin ,curiously nosing into my tote bag,while a crowd of humanity submissively compressed and rattled around me; all of this while minding my own business reading Shirer’s THE RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH…getting more meaning out of each page as our train followed the tracks.

How happy I was to discover that this is only one in a number of anti-terror programs funded with the latest Homeland Security grant: $151.2 million dollars. There are more such programs to come to equal the absurdity of those that have gone. However, I guess if the city is handed that amount of money they’re forced to spend at least some of  it on something for the sake of appearance, while the rest is tucked away…but for whose security?

In a burst of momentary insanity, I thought of voicing these concerns to Commando Joe. But when I glanced up to him and he glared down at me and even Rin Tin Tin began to growl from below, I remained silent; lately, I’m not really sure as to WHO our leaders really perceive as the enemy.  I glanced over to John the Evangelist who was growing ever more convinced that he “saw Jesus” and “yes” he did,  and, for a moment, hoped that he was right…we need all the help we can get. Then again, Jesus himself, dressed in his traditional attire, would probably be shot on sight as a Middle Eastern insurgent. I went back to reading my book, so grateful that America won the Second World War; but Shire’s masterpiece could be subject to revision.