Sign spells Danger…

MASSENA, N.Y. — It has been nearly eight years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but the fears and anxieties they gave rise to continue to take a toll on the design of public buildings. Even the words “United States,” it seems — when spelled out in the wrong size and color — can be an unacceptable security risk.

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Security, while something we should strive to improve and maintain, is not always governed by people entirely in their right minds. The sign was apparently suddenly seen as a “security risk”, and from the horse’s mouth (the horse being Kelly Ivahnenko); “The sign could be a huge target and attract undue attention. Anything that would place our officers at risk we need to avoid.”

There is little logic in taking down that sign. If they’re really going to remove “anything that would place our officers at risk”, they would have to remove the border crossing. Actually, remove the border. Actually, why not just build a big friggin’ wall instead. That’d be better, wouldn’t it? No risk to the officers. No risk that pesky Canadians could come…do…some shenanigans?

Anyway. The NYTimes has a good closing remark;

They certainly put into question the thinking behind Customs and Border Protection’s decision. It is as if the government is attuned to architecture’s symbolic power, but unable to decipher its meanings.’

Also here.