| "reading the comments here you would think those who view NYC from the outside think we live in some totalitarian state. Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact" I spent the first 18 years of my life in NYC. I still go back to visit family several times each year. I can tell you that the only place in America where people are less free than they are in NYC is at the airports. Here are some things to think about: 1. The NYPD is basically an army. Sure, you have officers who are only armed with a handgun, but every time I have visited NYC in the past few years I have encountered at least one paramilitary team. We are talking about soldiers whose uniforms say "POLICE" standing guard in the village, or Times Square, or in front of a bank in some uninteresting neighborhood. 2. I carry a small pocket knife. When I went to NYC with it, I was stopped by the police, threatened with 2 weeks in jail, and then politely told to hide the knife so that a less "friendly" officer would not arrest me. 3. I was given a $50 fine for walking between subway cars while a train was sitting in a station. 4. I watched as dozens of cops closed in around a handful of protesters. 5. I have had the police tell me that either they will inspect my bag or I will not be allowed to ride the subway. 6. Cameras are confiscated or damaged at the Ground Zero memorial. 7. Even hunting rifles are hard to get permission to own in NYC. 8. Stop and frisk -- need I say more? 9. http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20100505//bikes-confiscated-... 10. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/01/republican-national... Unfortunately, that is the city I have to move back to next year for a job. I am not particularly looking forward to it. |