Liberté
Is the comparison to the Nazis too extreme, too loaded for you? OK, let’s back up to another century. In 1789, the French overthrew a decadent, ancient monarchy, with cries of "liberty, equality, fraternity."

For a while, things went more or less swimmingly. Ideas of democracy were in the air, not least from a new nation across the Atlantic. A French new government came into being, outlines of a new system of social organization appeared.

But as the new leaders of France settled in, disagreements about power and the sharing of power also appeared. How to deal with such disagreements, which quickly became so intense that they threatened the very revolution which offered so much hope?

Within three years, the new government created, with the best of intentions, a body called "The Committee for Public Safety," to ensure that stability was maintained.

Soon, under the aegis and thoughtful decisions of the Committee for Public Safety, Paris found itself knee-deep in blood as the new government found that the only way to make the world safe for itself was to guillotine everybody who disagreed with its edicts and actions. The revolution had begun to eat its own children.

Now the United States has its own "Committee for Public Safety," called the Office for Homeland Security. In his address to Congress on September 20, the president said, "The only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it and destroy it where it grows."

"Where it grows…" Where does it grow? Who decides? Who decides what is a seed from which terrorism grows and what is not?

The abyss opens.

Preview of Coming Attractions
In his speech to Congress on September 20, the president also warned Americans not to expect a re-run of the giant CNN video game that the Gulf War became. Nor, he said, should we expect the surgical clarity of the air attacks in Kosovo:

"Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on television, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

Yes, the world is in danger when any insane fragment of humanity capable of the attacks on New York and Washington is loose. The danger is great. The challenge is great.

But to reduce it to the description in the president’s speech is to trivialize absolutely both the danger and the struggle against it. His words come chillingly close to sounding like the self-interested hype of a Hollywood producer pitching an idea for the ultimate blockbuster movie.

It’s got EVERYTHING: telegenic battles, subterfuge, clever double-crosses. And, my God, it encompasses the WHOLE WORLD. Why, it’s like Independence Day and Titanic and Saving Private Ryan and Dr. Strangelove and Apocalypse now all rolled into one giant mini-series.

Produced and directed by the United States of America. With the best of intentions.

The abyss opens before those who forget history.

Remembering
Who among our leaders is remembering:

The abyss opens.