down and out in NYC due to the RNC

All I've written about wanting to feel at home and now the RNC comes to town.
I don't know why they decided to host this convention here, but I think it was a politcal ploy..that backfired atleast for me. I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling now that the Republicans are in town...I'm more pissed off.

I live right in the "Hot Zone" where my block is closed off and I don't have access to walk through without ID. Even with ID, I have to walk a block out my way to get home. I have to walk a round about way to get to work. I can't walk a block across 8th avenue to my apt although I see tons of people there because I suppose they're guests of the convention and I am just a lowly resident that lives there. Well there was no way I would be displaced from my apartment because of this convention. Although I know a lot of people took off or are working from home. Why am I paying an exorbitant amount for rent to have to leave my home because of this? I refuse! Although what a hassle it is.

What kind of feelings did the Republicans want to evoke by holding the convention here in NYC? Where most of the folk are known to be Democrats? The Balls. There are cops at every street intersection, tons of cops in the HOT Zone, blocked off roads, sirens going off through out the night, helicopters flying around, security checks everywhere. Motorcades causing pedestrian traffic. I don't really feel safe although with cops everywhere I guess I should. I feel ill at ease. Not because I think there is a terror alert. I actually feel like the NYPD is well prepared in that aspect. I feel uncomfortable because I have to show ID just to get on to the block I live on and I might not be allowed through. I understand the need for ID but it doesn't help me walk across where I need to go - I still have to walk a block out my way to enter. And what if I forgot my ID - would I be destined to a night of homelessness? Would I need the doorman to come to my rescue and pick me up at the security check? Probably. It's stressful and annoying trying to get home or walking to work because you can never be sure which way is ok to pass and all of a sudden you're a mile away from where you want to be. And because of all this hullabaloo, I feel like I'm reliving 9/11 all over again - I feel like we are living in a Police State (which also occured after 9/11). That's not a nice feeling. It'll probably be worse here when Bush comes into town. How does this benefit the Republicans? Who knows. I just can't wait till the RNC leaves and I can live my life in hassle-free peace. PLEASE GO! If nothing, you lost a vote from me although to be honest you never had it to begin with..