Back in 1998-99 or so, the singles group I was in at church had an event downtown, “Where’s Wesley.” Me and a friend, Bill dressed up as Waldo and the Wizard and wandered around a downtown mall and the statehouse as teams of 5 hunted us down and followed clues we had hidden. It was all very hush-hush. No permitions from either the mall or the statehouse. We even hid little pictures of me all over the statehouse–taped to statues and under displays and such.
And this all took place on a Saturday afternoon. About 75 folks rushing around the statehouse shouting and causing no end of commotion, not to mention two freaks dressed as children’s literature characters–and the state troopers didn’t even blink.
Can’t do that today. Today, the statehouse has exactly one entrance available to the public, and NOBODY gets past the lobby without permission.
I know it’s rather inconsequential in light of some of the real changes since the September 11 attacks, but in a small way, it is representative of the freedoms we’ve lost since, in the name of security. I no longer have the right to just careen around government offices creating pandemonium (as long as I’m not disturbing the peace). I have to check in and get approval first.
Sigh.
