By Ellen Goodman
We have been handed yet another in an endless series of false choices. Those who don’t blindly trust the
president are dismissed as amnesia victims. Americans who don’t connect the dots from 9/11 to Iraq or spying or torture are cast as
actors living in a foolish, fearless, fantasy world. Indeed, 9/11 was the day the president became the commander in chief. The words he
often repeats were spoken to him by a rescue worker at the World Trade Center: ”Whatever it takes.” …
But gradually, 9/11
became the all-purpose excuse for . . . whatever it takes. …
”Whatever it takes” does not mean ”whatever the
president says it takes.” It does not mean becoming our own worst enemies. It does not mean approving torture or domestic
spying. And it most certainly does not mean watching silently as a commander in chief takes on the uniform of a generalissimo.
Who
owns September 11? The White House has built its own memorial and raised a stiff price of admission. It only allows in those who agree
with the president. …