A trip to the US Embassy in Ottawa cast a new light on America's isolation in the world. If there's such a thing as a modern day fortress, there a prime example at 460 Sussex Dr, Ottawa. I won't get into details - but the overall effect is that of intimidation. I feel sorry for the men & women who work in this building. There are signs posted all around, describing the different audible alarms - one for a fire, one for an imminent terrorist attack.
On one hand, it's important to protect the lives of innocent Americans serving their country abroad. On the other hand, don't policy makers realize how much they've pushed themselves into a corner? Something's really wrong if all your overseas missions - even peaceful ones - have to be places under so much security. It sends out the wrong message. That there's something evil and dirty going on inside. Is there?
A trip to the US Embassy in Ottawa cast a new light on America's isolation in the world. If there's such a thing as a modern day fortress, there a prime example at 460 Sussex Dr, Ottawa. I won't get into details - but the overall effect is that of intimidation. I feel sorry for the men & women who work in this building. There are signs posted all around, describing the different audible alarms - one for a fire, one for an imminent terrorist attack.
On one hand, it's important to protect the lives of innocent Americans serving their country abroad. On the other hand, don't policy makers realize how much they've pushed themselves into a corner? Something's really wrong if all your overseas missions - even peaceful ones - have to be places under so much security. It sends out the wrong message. That there's something evil and dirty going on inside. Is there?
3 comments:
You think that is bad. Have you been to the Embassy in Delhi. And try getting into the one in Cambodia. Even a US passport is no gurantee, you practically have to get anal probed!
Not being funny but- if you worked at the US Embassy, in any country wouldn't you feel like a target and want (and expect) a fortress of protection? I know I would. I wouldn't care what anyone thought about it either. :) my two cents.
Debbie
I couldn't agree more - bring on all the armor you got!! My point is more about a wake up call on US foreign policy. Just imagine if North America didn't have two huge oceans buffering us on either side! Would the entire country then have to be turned into a giant fortress like this? Something to be said about backing oneself into a corner.
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