A look back at New York's subways

John Travolta and Denzel Washington thrilled audiences this weekend, as their remake of the 1974 hit 'The Taking of the Pelham 1,2,3' hit theaters. Back in '74 when the original film came out, New York subways were a much different place than they are now. Nowadays, rats, crowded trains and the occasional beggar are among the least desirable elements of the city's subways. Back then, rats were a welcome sight compared to the muggers and other vagrants who frequently preyed on subway passengers.   

TheDailyBeast.com recently published an interview and photographs from John Conn. Conn photographed the subways in the early 80's and captured them in all of their dirty, decrepit "glory." If you happen live in New York, be thankful these aren't the conditions you face as you travel around the city in 2009. 

I have included a few photos below, but click HERE for the full gallery and interview.

Video from yesterdays Air Force One flyby

Thanks to my buddy Menotti who works down in the financial district for this video. I just wanted to put this up for everyone who doesn't live near NYC.

The edginess associated with low-flying planes over Manhattan is still very real, and was demonstrated yesterday. 

People evacuated buildings, flooded 911 with calls, and for a brief period were unsure of what they were witnessing. This video has an eerily similar feel to videos I've seen from 9/11...people frantically running out of buildings and looking up in the sky. 

Party foul on Dept. of Defense for all of the unnecessary commotion for the sake of a few photos.