Just saw the President! (of the United States!)

On the short walk from subway to home today, I noticed there was a cop at every intersection, which is totally not needed in my quiet neighborhood with only stop signs. There were also helicopters swirling above me. I immediately determined there was a threat to NY, and of all of Manhattan it was in my neighborhood! 

So I arrived home and grabbed Sailor to take him out for a quick pee and poop. I decided to confirm my suspicion and asked the cop at my corner why he was there. "Obama is getting ready to ride through." Ahhhhh! That's why all the security. One block south there were barricades, the streets were clear of any other cars, and you could see a few people hanging around. So I wandered down and joined them. 

Within about 5 minutes, about 30 cops on motorcycles came through. The sound of choppers were still above us. Then about 10 police cars came through. Followed by a couple of black town cars and then Obama! You could tell his car was extra protected but you could still see him through the tinted windows. He appeared to be typing on his phone, he looked up and waved. I thought that was pretty cool. But then....about 2 or 3 black SUVs followed, their back windows were down, and they were filled with men in full bullet proof suits, helmets, and those long guns (rifles?) in hand, ready to act.

It's something else to see the security that follows the President on a daily basis. It was intense. They wouldn't even let a man on his bike through! Trash cans had even been removed on the streets surrounding the street he came in on. I know because I was forced to carry Sailor's poop bag several blocks!