My commute last night back to Boston was uneventful, (which "seems":http://yovanoff.typepad.com/yovablog/2004/07/convention_comm.html to be the "consensus":http://www.utterwonder.com/archives/000579.html#000579). I think half our population was scared away by the "DNC":http://www.boston04.com. Helicopters are buzzing around our house, and since we live "near the Charles river":http://www.cambridgema.gov/dnc/, we've noticed Coast Guard and Police boats patrolling the river in formation... a strange sight, given that on any given day you'd usually see small sailboats and rowing crews. Boston is locked-down, but I feel safe. I think it's unreasonable to expect that an event this size will ever be held again without tight security. Though I understand concerns about civil liberties and free speech, can you imagine how weak the Democrats would look if a terrorist attack happened at their Convention? The image of _State Police in riot gear_ is primarily a deterrent -- the message is, "we're ready". If the police actually had to use that outfit, then I'd be worried.