Federal buildings were evacuated, coffee shops shuttered, dress shops barred. A few tourists wandered around in shorts looking confused as military planes patrolled above. DC police carried rifles and Secret Service agents blocked off the streets adjacent to the White House. The country cannot be completely protected from fanatics willing to die. And yet, it was chilling to see how unprepared those in charge of planning seemed, after years of warnings about just such an attack.
American people are shell-shocked, apprehensive and aching for revenge.
America has participated in wars abroad and suffered causalities, but never witnessed such a high loss of lives on her soil from an enemy action. Going to work on Sept. 14, even after four days, was a surreal experience. The morning rush hour traffic on K Street, the heart of downtown Washington, was barely moving. There was a military vehicle at every intersection, and the National Guard - a reservist military outfit, was directing the traffic. Yesterday I saw a police car parked next to a water reservoir in my neighborhood, which supplies water to Washington, DC, against fear someone throwing some chemical into the water.