The American Spectator

It is a quiet day on the political front given 9-11 and the hearings. It is interesting to note how two candidates handled the day.

Thompson released this, essentially a call to arms: "Six years have passed since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Today is a day to remember those who lost their lives at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists who despise our values and way of life, as well as those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice helping their fellow citizens that tragic day, and defending freedom in the years that have followed.

We must never forget that America has shed more blood defending freedom here and abroad than all the other countries in the world combined. And it was no different on 9/11. Before the twin towers fell, before the smoke had cleared from the Pentagon, before the brave men and women of Flight 93 had made a stand over Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Americans were fighting back. America's heritage of defending freedom has fallen to us. It is a great trust that our generation willingly accepts and must uphold. But the best way we can do that - while honoring the tragic loss of our fellow citizens six years ago today, and in all of the years since - is to make sure our nation continues to stand for freedom, remains strong and united in the face of threats, and secure."

Rudy, who appears sensitive about making hay out of the 9-11 tragedy, delivered a short reading today which is largely personal. We are all too cynical to believe a presidential candidate says things without regard to the consequences but this does give some insight into how for Rudy 9-11 is "personal" and not just political:

"On this day six years ago, and on the days that followed,in the midst of our great grief and turmoil, we witnessed uncompromising strength and resilience as a people. It was a day with no answers, but with an unending line of those who came forward to try to help one another. Elie Wiesel wrote this about the blackest night a human being can know: 'I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.'''