GROUND ZER0, New York, N.Y.--April 8, 2004 -- For the past 100 years Times Square has been the cornerstone of much Terrorism and much Vigilance.
     Not too long ago one put his or her life in one's hands when daring to walk through the crime-infested, X-rated quagmire of Times Square's most squalid stench.

        In less than a decade that image has transformed into one that draws more than 30 million visitors a year, and is the proverbial icon of ringing in a New Year for literally of billions of people who watch the "ball fall" from the "Y"-shaped fork of what is called the "Crossroads of the World."
         Yesterday I went on a picture safari through Times Square, to capture the historic 100th Birthday of its acquiring the name:  "Times Square."  Below are a series of pictures and some history of the square to give you an idea of both the magic and the mystery of Times Square's evolution.
            In just the short four years I've been living in New York City I've seen it as the center of many things.  It was a pillar during the horrible time when the Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center.   It stood strong during the burning of the Towers that lasted months after the event, clogging the air with a reminder that death and destruction is an eye-blink away.

          Then there were the protests.  Tens of thousands of people massed with signs and chants, screaming and bellowing out their angst, rallying around Times Square as though it were the main artery to New York's historic rights to free speech and its solidarity to liberal, diverse points-of-view.
   

      Of course, there is the incredible New York City police force of more than 30,000 men and women in blue who stroll up and down the streets of Times Square, as well as other parts of the city, but who consider Times Square a prime Terrorist target because it has more people per square inch of sidewalk than anywhere else in the world on a 24-hour-a-day basis.
    

       Then, I was here when the Blackout came.  I walked up to Times Square and strolled through its blackness.    Rarely does this heart of the city go black, but it did two years ago.  There was still something magical about it, even without light.   And, when the lights came back on, Times Square was one of the first to ignite back to life.
       There has been much happening since the name of the site changed to reflect the presence of the New York Times building a hundred years ago.
       Let pictures tell some of the story and your imagine develop the rest.  But one thing can be assured.   If there is a Sentinel of Vigilance that watches over New York City, it isn't the tall buildings. 

     It is the great Crossroads of the World, where people of all types and walks of life--from Terrorist to Parents of Vigilance--pass one another in awe of a great square of humanity where all differences melt, and all humanity become one family.
      If there were a Times Square in every city of the world, there is a good chance the Beast of Terror would melt right into the crowd and be consumed by the need to be one rather than trying to break from the pack.
        Enjoy the tour, and when you're done, reaffirm your Vigilance by taking the Pledge of Vigilance.

April 6--Today?  Is It A Good (Vigilant) Or Bad (Terror) Day?

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