http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--nycsubway1008oct08,0,2813738.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyorkNEW YORK -- New Yorkers shrugged off fears of exploding baby carriages and went about their weekend routines Saturday as authorities continued debating whether a reported subway terror plot was a legitimate threat or an overblown hoax.
Federal officials maintained their skepticism but issued a conciliatory statement saying they respected Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to ramp up security in the subways.
After complaints from New York, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Saturday that Bloomberg was right to err on the side of caution.
<snip>
Others blamed the fears on government fear-mongering, skipping over Bloomberg to lay the blame on President Bush, whose job approval in New York hit an all-time low this month.
"Bush tries to gain support with that," Brazil-born artist Thiago Szmrecsanyi said of the terror threat. "It serves his interests."