More from "Blood on the Streets"
Page 297 "New York is highly vulnerable to sabotage, terrorism, and simple infrastructure breakdown (note; that's even after all the higher security measures implemented after the first bombing of WTC). It depends for its viability on the assumption that the overwhelming majority of its habitants will adhere to civilized lifeways. Tunnels, bridges, pumping stations, power lines, are all practically unguarded. Many could not be guarded. They are artifacts of a 'brittle power,' left over from the age of large-scale organizations and social order that could be shattered with a blow. The wonder is that some henchman of Saddam Hussein or a terrorist group or a criminal gang has not already held the city to ransom by sabotaging crucial facilities. Simply turning off the electricity brings the city to a halt. The Sendero Luminoso, the nihilist guerrilla band who terrorize Peru, have many times turned off the lights in Lima, shut off
the water, and closed down the sewage systems. It would be militarily easier to disrupt New Youk, and the damage done would be greater.
"As the 1990's unfold, New York could become as violent as Rio de Janeiro, with a new class warfare waged in the streets by muggers, kidnappers, and criminal terrorists. It is not uncommon for criminal bands in Brazil to 'assault entire apartment buildings, systematically looting them, floor by floor.' Something similar could happen in New York.
"By the year 2000, New York could be a Gotham City without Batman. Currently thriving buildings could stand empty. The communications, banking, and financail industires now headquarted in NY are likely to be downsized, file for bankruptcy, or flee the city. Midtown Manhattan could end up like downtown detroit, a rapidly depreciating shell, prey to beggars and criminals..."
The book was copyrighted in 1991. |
