Does the thought of New Year’s Eve make you happy? Or terrified? Or both? Two years after the 2001 attacks, the war on terror continues; not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but in Times Square as well. The terror alert is at its second highest level, but the authorities assure us that – now more than ever – it’s vital to the national wellbeing that we engage in as much debauchery as possible, during what’s likely to be the world’s most heavily fortified party.

The fact that America now seems to feel comfortable partying-down while surrounded by the loving iron-fist of law enforcement is quite a change from parties past. The arrival of the police at any given house party usually signifies the end of the festivities. This sort of attitude used to extend to much larger events; cops weren’t exactly welcome there either. But now NYC is being asked to party under the whirling blades of federal helicopters.

Perhaps the additional police presence is a good thing. Frankly, one is amazed that there hasn’t been much death and destruction during in Times Square even before 2001. Tens of thousands of very cold and very drunk tourists getting down in one centralized location, alternately kissing strangers, then puking on them, and not a whole hell of a lot of “entertainment” going on – why haven’t they all ended up dead? Because the cops have been there to keep the lid on things.

As appealing as anarchy is, it doesn’t make it any easier to party; nothing harshes a buzz like motor-cycling marauders raiding one’s food and water stockpiles. Totalitarian regimes might allow their citizens to boogie down every now and again, but don’t expect to have much fun at these little state sponsored get-togethers. You’ll most likely wind up watching a parade of tanks.

Representative Democracy has, so far, been the only political system which allows us to balance freedom and security well enough to party almost constantly. We’re not perfect – we’ve overstepped our bounds occasionally, to be sure. There was that little matter of Prohibition, back in the 20’s, for example (which proved conclusively that Americans have no reservations about breaking the law whenever we goddamn feel like it).

Other countries like to boast, but take a look around your local supermarket, or Bed Bath & Beyond, or the countless tiny liquor stores in the countless strip-malls of our great nation; we just might be the drinking-est country in the entire world (with the possible exception of Austrailia). Even the countries that come closest to us, in total acceptance of getting shit-faced as a national past-time are pretty darn democratic (yes, even France).

The Soviet Union, for many years, tried to crack down on drinking. It was a battle between Communism and drink. We know who won that battle.

What it comes down to is this. Those cops out there don’t want to ruin your good time (unless you’re smoking dope, of course) – they’re out there to help you get down. Just like in New York City, where over a quarter of a million souls will try to relax and have a good time, under the icy squints of men with automatic weapons.

-B. C. Silvia