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The raw sounds of celebration erupted as the words “Obama, President Elect” appeared on the Jumbotrons above Times Square.  It was the culmination of an election night thick with anticipation.

Thousands of spectators gathered to witness the election returns, broadcasted live. Cars and buses inched along as drivers slowed to see ABC’s latest numbers. Chants and cheers rose and fell as the winner of each state was called.

Nothing compared,however, to the emotion that spread over the crowd when Fox News announced Obama’s victory.

Michelle Nelson, a middle-aged African American woman, buried her head in her daughter’s shoulder and sobbed.  Around her, a celebration exploded.

Sen. John McCain has been heavily criticized for his seething tone and vicious attacks against Sen. Barack Obama. According to a New York Times/CBS News Poll, McCain’s attempts at tarnishing the Obama campaign with negative ads and reiterating Obama’s ties with formerly FBI labeled terrorist Bill Ayers, has backfired, leading to McCain’s decline in national polls.

With only weeks before the November 4th election, I hit the streets of Times Square with a recorder and a camera. Here is what a few of the people I talked to had to say.

What are your thoughts about the recent attacks?

I manage to meander these streets with very little fear in my step. The one place, however, that sets my heart racing and forces to me to ask the question “why on earth do I live here?” is the Times Square subway station.

Mp5 submachine guns make me uneasy like nothing else. While our mayor seems convinced armed guards bring about a sense of security to most New Yorkers, I experience a low to mid grade panic attack every time I run into these guys. 

The placement of the guards in our underground system began last April and is called “Operation Torch.” More than 7 years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the city decided heightened security might be a good idea. Similarly above ground, NYPD squads known as “Hercules Teams” began trolling around Wall Street and landmarks such as the Empire State Building. 

Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement two weeks ago at a congressional hearing, the lives of New Yorkers were improved the guards because we can all “feel safer.” $151 Million dollars has been poured into the units, and Bloomberg urged congress to give me more. Wall Street is falling apart, banks are shutting down, and Mayor Bloomberg wants more money for guns. 

Yes, it is important to protect our city, and it is important to have the equipment to do so. I don’t want to forget I live in a dangerous place, and I do think it’s important to be alert and vigilant about our security. I however, do not want to live in what feels like a police state. I have had my bag searched more times than I’d like to admit (I suppose my look of fear, can translate to a look of guilt though I always come out clean); and I would like to not feel like someone is going to shoot me every time I go to get on the A train. 

I remember when I was younger and a friend of mine had come back from Egypt with her family. She was showing me pictures and noted the guards with machine guns walking around the town. I said to her I hoped I never lived in a place like that. Now, unfortunately, I feel like I do.