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has ever participated. Expulsion of the Iraqis took four days. While the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City did not occur in August, training was under way before the Sept. 11 strikes. Some of that training occurred here in Sarasota County. Fifteen of the 19 terrorists were Saudi citizens. The attempted conquests of Iraq and Afghanistan ensued after the Twin Towers fell. This is not an argument for "numerology," of interpreting history through coincidence. But throughout the 20th and the start of the 21st centuries, August has been a month of peril, a month when even minor military strikes such as the Gulf of Tonkin could be parlayed into enormous conflicts — just as the assassina- tion of an aristocrat triggered the First World War. "Beware the ides of March" was the advice given to Caesar, and for good reason. But in modern times, we need to get through the mad- ness of August before we — and our sons and daughters — can breathe a little easier. % By Vicki Chatley Contributing Writer THE BAYFRONT ― SARASOTA'S MAGNIFICENT JEWEL! COMMENTARY It is a gem acces- sible to most of us only at a very few public areas; the vast majority of the waterfront is held as private property. The difficulty finding a parking space at Bayfront Park and Marina Jack is evidence of the water's popularity. Thus, it becomes vitally important to place public access at the top of any plans for the approx- imately 40 acres of city-owned property that includes the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Just envision early morning joggers and cyclists getting in some exercise before head- ing off to work. They are followed by a group of disparate people seeking a bench on which to enjoy a cup of coffee along with the morn- ing paper, while others set up a chess game. Next come parents with young children eager to romp on the grass. The noon hour finds workers from nearby businesses infiltrating the premises with their brown-bag lunches, or perhaps ordering a meal from a restaurant offering outdoor seating with a view of the bay, but leaving plenty of waterside prom- enade space. Afternoon is a quiet time for readers who plop under a tree to devour the latest best seller. Evening finds more restau- rant goers, as well as those out for a stroll. And, yes, there would be lawn bowling. There might a handful of well-chosen, small shops. Perhaps one sells ice cream, fudge and saltwater taffy (welcomed by those whose roots lie in the Jersey shore); another has paperbacks, cold drinks, sunblock and sundry OPINION Sarasota News Leader August 8 & 15, 2014 Page 98