The War on Terror is Over
I was walking this afternoon to the Washington studio of American Public Radio's Marketplace to record a commentary. As I approach Farragut Square, foot traffic is suddenly halted by yellow tape. I jostle my way forward to see the problem.
At the northwest corner of the square - K and Connecticut intersection - is a stopped white van. Its back doors have been flung open. On one side of the van is written the word "HELP!" in big red letters. I can't see the other side. I ask a policeman. He says the other side said "BOMB." They took that as a bomb threat and closed the city half a dozen city blocks.
Of course that was the only thing to do. Only ... I remember there was a time in my life when we all worried about a dirty bomb in downtown DC. Somehow it seemed that when the bomb arrived, it would arrive in less ridiculous form.
As for me, I backed up, walked north, west, then south again, and slipped into the Marketplace building through a back door.
* * *
Here's a local news update on what had happened before I came on the scene:
The intersection of Connecticut Avenue NW and K Street NW was closed Tuesday after a man protesting an injustice by the government threw two Molotov cocktails.
Just before 2 p.m., witnesses say the man pulled into the intersection, got out of his van and lit two fire bombs before throwing them into the street. He then climbed on top of the van and unfurled his sign.
As dozens gathered to watch, police asked him to step down. He refused, telling officers they would have to come up after him.
For several minutes he just stood there as onlookers took pictures with their cell phones and Blackberrys.
A professionally-made sign attached to the van said 'My $200 Million Dollars'.