Anything "odd" flying around over your house tonight?

[C.Ann]

I noticed on my way home from work there was a helicopter circling the area of our "First Night Festivities".. I thought it might be the traffic helicopter but I can see the NY state capitol from my window by my computer and it's still circling over there every now and then..

Makes me feel creepy.. How our lives have changed.... I also ran into a problem with a huge tractor trailer truck on my way home.. It was crossing the bridge from the capitol area over here but it seemed like the person didn't know how to drive it and was "lost".. It would slow down, practically stop, and then seemed to be trying to turn around to head back towards the capitol but ended up literally blocking the width of the highway - like the driver didn't have a clue how to handle a rig..

I hemmed and hawed - it seemed so odd to me - and finally called the police.. I felt funny reporting someone that didn't know how to drive a truck, but the PD certainly seemed interested enough..

They keep drilling it into our heads to "report any suspicious activity" so I figured, what the heck?

 

[Pin Wizard]

I would think lots of military out tonight!

You're right, C.Ann. How our world has changed! And it's good you called the police about that truck. Could be nothing, but let them determine that.

I was at the airport in VA the other day...renting and returning a car. I haven't been in an airport in years...don't fly much...and was just amazed to see the signs on the doors regarding terrorist alert level, etc. And plenty of police cars in front making sure no one parked there too long...and that each car had someone in it! Don't want them left without a driver. INTERESTING and sad at the same time.

 

[Beauty]

Yep I would think lots of stepped up security tonight too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

News said military fighters (I guess that is redundant, LOL) will be on patrol over major cities tonight (I know Chicago has them)along with armed helicopters for some cities (Las Vegas among those).

 

[luvindisneyworld]

They have them flying over Disney too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is picture of....


Coast Guard Petty Officer Brett Patterson of a tactical helicopter squadron based in Jacksonville, Fla., patrols near the Statue of Liberty in New York.

http://msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?i...00000H103|||808~4~8~8~1~001|0617,0917,1017~IL

 

[C.Ann]

I know this is our "new way of life now", but it sure does make me sad..

Remember how our folks used to wish for "the good old days"?? Boy - if my Dad were alive now he would be stunned beyond belief....

 

[msdznyduck]

Just took DD to a friend's house for a sleepover New Year's Eve party........the sky is pretty quiet around here, and we usually have planes flying over all the time on the way to Newark Airport. Haven't seen any helicopters.
IT is sad how times have changed. I really feel for the children of today, that they will not know how it "used to be", when you didn't have to worry about terrorists, and you did not have to be concerned with a truck.........just figured it was lost, not up to no good. (maybe just was lost, but you can't be too careful these days)

 

[Pin Wizard]

Wow, Dan! What a picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jjskribs]

If you live on Cape Cod prepare to hear the jets from the local AFB. They will be patrolling the skies over NYC all night. Other fighter jets from New England will be patrolling First Night activities in Boston. Both of my sons are in Boston for the night and I must admit I am a little "nudgy" about it.

 

[meeshi]

Dan, that picture was on the front page of our local newspaper today. I think it's sad.....

 

[monarchsfan16]

i was at a hockey game tonight in the biggest city in nh and there were definitely more cops and security people than usual at it...now some of this may have had to do with the tendency of people to get ummm smashed on new year's eve, but we think it had to do with the code too...i've noticed a higher presence of cops at all public places and it really stinks that this is the way life has to be...i really wish terrorists didn't exist, but they do so i guess we're all going to have to adjust to this

 

[Val]

Even in little 'ol central Illinois all the police and sheriffs are on duty. We are just staying home except for my DD12 who is in a "lockin" for junior high students at the church. Mass at church tonight was said for the armed forces and police of our country. Hard to explain the pictures and the terror alert to the youngest 2- DS8 and DD6.

We used to say no guns/military dolls/toys in our house (trying to be nonviolent). Hard to explain when we see soldiers at the airport and these guys on TV. It makes me SO angry that, to some degree, the terrorists have won. I resent living in a police state, but am so thankful that we have people willing to put their lives on the line. This is not the way I planned for my children to grow up. How do people in Israel, Northern Ireland, or even Iraq exist day to day? Do they EVER get used to this? In a way, I hope not- for complacency leads to acceptance that this is the way it is. I want to stay angry enough that I work for change.

I remember way back in the 70's taking a class in college. The professor warned us that the next "big war" would be terrorism. We laughed him off as a nutcase. Guess he knew more than we thought.

Perhaps our New Year's prayer tonight can be for a more peaceful world for our children. Maybe, kinda like Tinkerbell, if we all clap our hands and believe........

 

[bsnyder]

Good for you, C. Ann, for making that call. It might have been nothing, but we'll never know how many potential attacks are now being prevented by alert citizens.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by Val
I resent living in a police state, but am so thankful that we have people willing to put their lives on the line.

Ditto.

 

[Poohbear123]

Just the Usual--- bullets flying over My house. When wil people learn..........

 

[sgtslovak]

Lots of helicopters overhead tonight. We live in Queens, NYC in walking distance of the Triborough Bridge. NYPD & National Guard stationed at the bridge entrance to search unmarked & rental trucks. I don't feel we live in a police state-not even close-a police state was Nazi Germany & communist Russia & China. As a New Yorker, I just feel SAFE!
Chris