Thomas “TheWorld Is Flat” Friedman (with whom I rarely agree) wrote something good in today’s New York Times. “9/11 is over“:
9/11 has made us stupid. I honor, and weep for, all those murdered on that day. But our reaction to 9/11 — mine included — has knocked America completely out of balance, and it is time to get things right again.
Friedman was inspired by an Onion article, “Giuliani To Run For President Of 9/11.” The Onion article notes that, if elected,
“Giuliani would inherit the duties of current 9/11 President George W. Bush, including making grim facial expressions, seeing the world’s conflicts in terms of good and evil, and carrying a bullhorn at all state functions.”
The bullhorn of 9/11 has been used to justify Iraq and Guantánamo, political corruption of government function, huge national debts run up while rich people’s incomes soar and their taxes tumble. The bullhorn of 9/11 has been used to justify torture and to dilute habeas corpus.
And anyone who speaks out against any of this is quickly accused of treason to 9/11.
I agree with Friedman, 9/12 is long overdue.