I was out and about last night, and I saw the DPD “road tank” they bought for the DNC convention, or one of them. It has a gun turret.

I had my D70 with me, but the battery crapped out #@%@#, so I couldn’t photograph it. You could probably find an image of it on the web.

The gun was not in place, and the turret isn’t a 360-degree armored thing, more like what you’d see on a Navy river boat (think Apocalypse Now boat). But it’s still a gun turret on a military vehicle driving around an American city.

It was driving next to the Commons Skate Park as part of a 2-vehicle convoy, 8 or so urban-combat troops in black holding on runners externally on both vehicles. All the young skateboarders turned to look. The message was unmistakable, but probably different for each of us who saw it.

For me, it was a crystallization of how bad things have gotten. Maybe I’m more sensitive to this, but it really drove home a reality: we’re living in a place I don’t recognize.

I know this is a special event, but when it’s over, these vehicles, mounted guns, and black urban combat gear outfits don’t get returned to the military. They go back to the police garages in my neighborhood. The psychological damage is done, The public is cowed by just knowing this terror can be pulled out at a moment’s notice for any reason.

I went to Mexico a million times in the 90s when I was young and alive, and I’d see troops on highways and sometimes in cities, complete with fatigues, frowns, and M-16s. I’d think WOW that’s some scary shit. They’d REALLY intimidate. Now that’s here.