You guys who live in D.C. are way used to it by now, I imagine, but I still can’t spend time in D.C. without getting depressed and angry. This town–especially if you are (realistically) idealistic about the American republic–is the most romantic town we have. (Stop laughing, all you who live in God’s country.) Nothing like a Friday night walk around the Capitol. Long-time D.C.ers recall doing so (one Georgetown alum did last night, in conversation) at the end of dates during college, etc. But that’s really all gone now. The big white slabs. And not even unform security barriers. (And how exactly do they decide which Cabinet buildings get concrete slabs and with don’t?)

I’m being unfair here, but in NYC we were attacked, and you look around and we just fought back, darnit. We savor the large crowds and the famous buildings. And, despite large guns about, we carry on as normal, with 1,000 possibilities for jihadist dangers. In D.C.–where, granted, a government facility exists roughly every yard in some areas–nothing will ever be the same. Maybe it had to happen that way–I don’t know. But it makes you livid.