This should be interesting. The NYPD is extremely good at overreacting and turning protesters into large white ferrets, marching in order to a dead-end destination. But the obnoxiousness of the Republicans attempting to take advantage of the 9-11-01 attacks is really starting to smell. The widows are talking about a protest themselves. There is a growing number of people here that feel the administration has benefited politically but have done nothing to improve New York's vulnerability.

In New York City, what happened "down there" is still very near. Just today, I was sharing space in CORPORATE HQ with a colleague who was on a conference call describing the literal loss of AON "intellectual capital" and how the surviving employees have psychologically not recovered from -- in large part -- the long walk down the stairs.

As for the Republicans, in the words of fearless leader, "Bring 'em on."

Okay, who knew there was a US Institute of Peace? And does George even look at the resumes of the people he hires?