Orange alert (yellow, or whatever color) ... Vent !

[adamak]

OK. I'm up to here with this alert system. I honestly do not know how I should react anymore. I live in NYC. It's tough enough to get out everyday trying to look cool and together (well....nothing to do with the alert). Now, this color alert thing keeps going up and down. I am seeing (again) ARMED guards with machine guns in my building (these people have fingers on the triggers at all time). I see sniffing dogs so often then they're now my adopted pets. People looked very nervous, but yet nothing we can do to ease our mind.

I'm terrified each time taking the subway. I have no choice. I worked in a landmark building. It is sickening that the gov't keeps telling us it's 'only a certainty' that we'll be attacked by terrorists.

I need PD please. I am nervous.
Thanks for listening.

 

[trayletha]

Sorry *PD*PD*PD*PD*PD*

 

[JohnTBap]

Be brave, little buckaroo. {{{HUGS}}}

 

[caitycaity]

hugs.

i know how you feel.

 

[Buckalew]

My DH works where there is that kind of security. It must be unnerving. I sincerely pray for your safety. I am sorry we, as a nation, are going through this. I am sorry that as a NYer you are living this everyday now. {{{hugs}}}

 

[Tulirose]

(((Hugs))) and Pixie Dust to you, adamak.

I don't live or work in the city but my husband works in lower Manhattan. When he went to leave for work this a.m. I told him to be careful and he told me he's always careful.

Still, I worry.

I have been depressed all day today....

 

[Serena]

Here's some more pixie dust for you.

 

[jamsmom]

{{{HUGS}}}

 

[Dan Murphy]

Post 9/11 America is more similar to what other countries have been living with for years, we are not used to it. Hugs, adamak.

 

[Tony-NJ]

you are in my thoughts buddy. These sure are different times. I have to go into NYC tomorrow morning for a huge meeting, so we can be nervous together.

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, agreeing what Dan said. Other countries have had this security for so long, its always been a part of it.

We as Americans, aren't used to it. We need to get used to it, because unfortunately, the country has changed forever.


FWIW, my DH works in the biggest building in Philadelphia. There has been multiple cops there every day since 9/11. Concrete barricades were put up all along the building and the Liberty Bell. Its just part of it now, unfortunately. Since 9/11 my little suburban office had a security officer as well.

I see more officers everywhere now, and it is unfortunate but necessary.

 

[Nancy]

Pixie dust heading across state....

My BIL and his wife live in Manhatten and after 9/11 my kids asked them if they were afraid to fly. My SIL said she's more afraid to leave their apartment because there were armed guards everywhere.

 

[suzannen]

Adamak,
Know just how you feel, I'm another one in NYC. Since I leave for work earlier than my DH, he will not get on a subway until he has heard that I arrived safely in case the subway system is shut down so that at least one of us will be able to get to our DD and her school. As well as the usual guards and bomb dogs, yesterday we had HazMat folks in their outfits searching our lobby. That's comforting as they told us "to go about our business" - Hello?? How are we supposed to do that?

It's been incredibly stressful. And, as you said - have no idea how to react or what to do. We just keep having staff meetings with "Important" notices from Rockefeller Center Building Management (our landlord) on "what to do in emergencies" but they keep contradicting themselves!

Hang in there as best you can!

 

[CarolA]

I remember being in Paris a few years ago. It was late November and not during a war. There were security guards out with submachine guns, bulletproof jackets etc. As my dad would say, they were armed for bear. When they inspected my bags, I was very still. You don't want to alarm anyone with all those weapons! At that time I wondered how we would react if that ever became necessary here. I guess we now get to find out.

 

[FergieTCat]

Another NYCer here.

I work in the Rockefeller Center area, in a media building no less, and I was on edge this morning. It's obvious that there is increased police presence. Also in the subway stations.

This morning it struck me that there are too many ways to enter New York City and there is no way the police or FBI can guard all of them (yes, I like to make myself crazy before 9:00 AM). You can drive through Yonkers without crossing a bridge; or come in on a bus through Port Authority; or a train through Grand Central. Is there increased security on all forms of transportation?

I guess if we got through 9/11, we'll get through this.