[Tom D.]

Friedman was right to be embarrassed by Powell's no show. If that fop, Prince Chuck, can get by with one security man, it stands to reason that the USA can do what it takes to make our erstwhile general and current Sec. of State comfortable.

[blanknoone]

A few hours earlier, the organizers were told that Mr. Powell was canceling, because of "security concerns."

A few hours earlier tells me there was a last minute threat. He had planned to be there (with adequate security) and something changed, and the good secretary adapted....that is also part of the new reality.

[visualops]

"Freedom is the only guardian of freedom."
Message to suicide bombers: You're dead and we're not afraid. That is the best deterrence.

Bingo.

IMHO Powell should have been there. Bad example, bad message.

[jocon307]

"But some wouldn't recognize the 6-foot-5 Osama bin Laden if he walked past them dribbling a basketball and dragging his dialysis machine."

Oh, what a picture in my mind. And Tom, Charles is no fop, he doesn't have enough style to merit that designation. But the Queen looks great, doesn't she? Check out the daily dose from Friday. 80+, and not stooped, nor fat, she looks wonderful.

God save the Queen, and Tony, and W, and Charles too! And those wonderful princes!

[bimbo]

The Powell no-show was likely the idea of the Secret Service, whose power and un-questioned authority have increased alot since 9/11.

[Savage Beast]

Your lamentations would fall on more sympathetic ears, Thomas, if you would clarify your thinking and increase your resolve.

The solution of the problem of terrorism is not the relaxation of necessary security, either for public offials or private citizens. The solution is the resolve to stop terrorists and terrorism--immediately, certainly, and permanently.

We have the ability.

We also have a brilliant, courageous, puissant and highly capable leader, President Bush.

Your pessimism will vanish and your lamentations cease once you accept these obvious facts and place your full support behind President Bush and the war that the United States is waging--dispite all our wishes to the contrary--against fanatic Islamic aggression, war, and terrorism.

These terrorists and their supporters have declared war against the United States. Our refusal to wage war against them will not make them stop waging war against us.

You and John Chipman are quite right. The massacre of September 11, 2001, was indeed "terrorism not meant to stimulate political concessions but to destroy our way of life"--a "way of life" that includes liberty, equality, and justice for all people--and that is unquestionably superior to the hideous "way of life" that they are attempting to impose--by force--upon us and all of the people of the world!

The answer is not mindless bravado and the reckless ignoring of important security measures.

The answer is swift, certain, and resolute destruction of the perpetrators, their supporters, their support systems, and their hopes of ever achieving their evil goals.

Keep in mind that the massacre was an attack on the U.S. by an enemy power. War is our only option. It is a defensive war, and we must win it. Resolve is our only means of winning.

So can your pessimism, set aside your lamentations, forget about mindless lapses of security, and place the full force of your resources, resolve, and commitment behind President Bush and the war effort. Become part of the solution--not the problem.

[Drango]

Mr. Powell was canceling, because of "security concerns." Every American I talked to was both sad and embarrassed

FRIEDMAN will only be happy if a Secretary of State is killed. Then his joy will know no bounds.

[wizardoz]

Indeed, we could learn from the British. The I.R.A. murdered the queen's cousin and almost blew up Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in her hotel — yet life in London goes on and the police here still don't carry guns.

Uhm.... and HOW exactly is that good??

[detch]

Another attack on the Administration by Friedman. President Bush will be remembered as the President who finally drew a line in the sand against the terrorists. Friedman will have been forgotten for his liberal, biased reporting.