They keep doing it.
The White House has one overriding rule, that stands above all others: administration representatives must work September 11 into everything they say. Example from a White House press briefing, emphasis mine:
“Q Senator Kerry is calling it a tragic milestone, reaching 1,000 deaths in Iraq.
“MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we remember, honor and mourn the loss of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom. And we also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th. The best way to honor all those who have lost their life in the war on terrorism is to continue to wage a broad war and spread freedom throughout a dangerous part of the world so that we can transform that region of the world and make the world a safer place, and make America more secure.
“Q And you’re convinced each one of those lives is worth it, Scott?
“MR. McCLELLAN: Each one — well, let me say, when I say we remember, honor, mourn the loss of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we do so for those in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th, nearly three years ago today. And that’s why I said it’s important that we continue to wage a broad war on terrorism and that we work to spread freedom throughout the Middle East and transform that region so that we defeat the ideologies of hatred and tyranny.
“Q But the question is, for — each of those families lost someone, a loved one, and each one of those is worth it — that’s the question.
“MR. McCLELLAN: Mark, I think — I think of the cost we paid on September 11th, and September 11th changed the equation, as you’ve heard the President say.”
May I also point out that the official White House line on the horrifying death toll in Iraq is to say that we must honor their sacrifice by continuing the war. In other words, to honor their sacrifice, we must sacrifice more people. I’m horrified.
The rhetoric the White House uses constantly is about “protecting freedom” — which is complete and utter bullshit. Our freedom is not under threat by external influences, only from our own government. No matter what Osama bin Laden and his fellow travelers do to us, it will never destroy our freedoms.
They also claim to be spreading “freedom” in the Middle East. Well, I think that’s pretty obviously false as well, don’t you?
