The Army's new recruits!

I caught the tail-end of the "Public Service Recognition Week" on Sunday, and unaware of what was going on, I thought I was walking into the middle of a military coup. The event was supposed to honor federal, state and local employees, but all I saw were military displays, complete with tanks, mini submarines, helicopters and automatic weapons brandished by our enemies abroad; maybe since I showed up at the end, the other displays had shut down already.

As kids in tourist-group t-shirts climbed atop tanks, I couldn't help but think that perhaps the military was using the event to employ some unique recruiting techniques. Maybe, given that the war is really putting a strain on the troops, they've decided to enlist some kiddie patriots. It might be a good idea to snare 'em in while they're young, since who knows how long the war will last, or how many more troops might be needed.

In any case, the display of military might on the mall really creeped me out. The monstrous tanks spanning the mall, diverting attention from the beautiful buildings and monuments that represent democracy, were a painful reminder of how the "war on terror" has taken precedent over civil liberties all too often in recent years. It also seemed ironic to be celebrating public servants in the midst of scandals that show how the administration has inappropriately politicized apolitical government positions. Seeing kids climb on tanks was also particularly disturbing since it was Mothers' Day yesterday.