Homeland Security

I had occasion to visit the Boston office of the US Customs service yesterday. If this office is the result of our giant government reorganization for a heightened level of alertness, I hate to think of what it must have been like two and a half years ago. There were about 30 "Reserved for US Customs Visitors" parking spaces, all full. All empty spaces were marked "reserved" with signs threatening to tow violators immediately. I risked all and became a violator. Entering the customs office lobby, there were no visitors - no visitors' chairs, even.

There was a visitors' window half covered by a screen, with a moveable office partition right behind it screening the view into the office. There was a little bell at the window. After ringing the bell a couple of times, I stuck my head through the window and craned my neck far enough to see around the partition into a vast office, with many empty desks and a few uniformed customs 'officers', some shuffling papers, some with their feet up drinking coffee or standing around shooting the breeze. No visitors in sight. Finally go someone's attention.

I won't go on with the story, because it depresses me. Suffice it to say I wasn't impressed by the alertness of the program. After I got out, on the way back to Maine, I stopped and bought a case of wine on sale. I feel safer already.