Fear Be Gone!

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!

The New York Times has a piece today on the fears that gripped New Yorkers in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack; fears that

New York would become a fortress city, choked by apprehension and resignation, forever patrolled by soldiers and submarines. Another attack was coming. And soon.

Miracle of miracles, it didn't happen and the Times reporter gives us heartwarming vignettes of feisty New Yorkers who overcame those fears. Nowhere, however, in this feel-good Hallmark card is there an explanation just why none of those fears came to pass, nor of any actions taken that may have obviated them. Nope, in this story the gut-wrenching dread we all shared just one day went poof! and disappeared thanks to the grit and optimism of us plucky New Yorkers. If, by any chance, you suspect our armed forces just might have had at least something to do with those vanished fears, look no further than the quote you read above for any reference to them. That's all there is.

In defense of the Times, it should be remembered who the commander-in-chief was that terrible day eight years ago. The Times could hardly be expected to mar a solemn day of remembrance by bringing up that name nor any of those in his charge; much better and safer to take all the credit for ourselves.

(h/t Instapundit.)