Matt BlazeThe knowledge that the National Guard troops that I must pass on my way to my office this morning are now armed and with live ammo is *not* making me feel safer.
Seriously, I was concerned about this in an abstract way when I learned of the new policy, but in person, my reaction was involuntary and visceral. "These people might shoot me" was constantly on my mind.
Are they just going to start shooting? Probably not. But if there's a commotion, I can easily imagine being caught in escalating crossfire.
Interesting. On the way home, there were far fewer Guard troops around Union Station than usual, and none of the heavy vehicles (though there were several troops outside the Metro escalators), but I also noticed troops posted at several Metro stations that I'd not seen them at previously.
All this said, while I find their (now armed) presence unsettling and dangerous, the Guard troops have been so far in my experience approachable and friendly. This is in sharp contrast to the DEA/ICE/etc federal law enforcement now patrolling around the District, who are generally masked, standoffish, and seem to be looking for trouble.
Matthew Schulkind@mattblaze after 9/11 this was a common sight in NYC for many years, and at least I don't remember horror stories from back then. No idea if they actually did anything to make anyone safer though. Most or all had highly visible long rifles of some sort.
@mschulkind Indeed, though there were a number of differences. Most obviously, NYC had just recently actually been attacked, and I believe the troops had been requested by the state. In DC, they're imposed on us, and no one really knows what they're doing here.
@mattblaze ya, also very different motivating political environment. Who knows how that has seeped into their heads.
Maybe we can at least hope people join the national guard to help people and aren't all ideologically aligned with the current administration.