Anxiety & Politics (sort of)

[podling]

So apparently yesterday I *just* (as in, by minutes) missed the part where they netted and arrested people in front of the WTC PATH station. Which does explain quite a bit, like, the scary riot police people with the helmets and guns and big sticks, and perhaps (though not really) why that one cop (not in riot gear) grabbed my arm and herded me towards the left side turnstiles. I'm still confused about the whole not using the right hand side turnstile thing, and I was briefly angry... which, when I stopped to think about it was really more a combination of anxiety and feeling crowded. Now, it wasn't crowded downstairs, but there were riot police there... I guess in case people fleeing arrest managed to sprint down 3 flights of stairs. There were a lot of people to be navigated through on the sidewalk outside. It's weird though, it once again brought into sharp contrast the idea that safety is an illusion, accidents happen, at any time I could still be killed/arrested/stomped on for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, namely, on my way to or from work. I was also freaked out at the invading of my personal space. It's not like he hurt me, he just grabbed my arm, but at the same time, I think the knowledge that he, or one of the zillion other riot guards could've smacked me down, was just a bit... yeah. And actually, if I'd had my headphones on like I normally do, I'm pretty sure I would've really freaked out.

The funny thing is... that particular protest was actually one whose sentiment I agree with. I don't think images of the WTC, before, during, or after being destroyed, should be used as part of a political campaign. But I'm all too aware of how very much the current administration cares for the opinions of taxpayers. Well, the opinions of non-rightwing fundamentalist taxpayers, anyway.

Comments

[silme.livejournal.com]

You know, when it comes to political protests like that, I think that the riot cops are scarier than the protesters. A lot scarier. :(

[podling]

Well you know, it was weird because I really think that I shouldn't be scared... but on the other hand... big guns, big sticks, shielded helmets. Yeah. Every time they start deploying heavily armed people, even when the general mood isn't scary, walking by them is. I mean hell, lately there've been snipers on buildings. That is FREAKY.