September 11: Slouching Toward Teheran

The papers are full of what the Boston Herald called President Khatami's Feel Good Tour which made its stop in Boston yesterday. Was it coincidence that the tour took place right smack dab in the middle of what should be a time of reflection and penance here? Was it coincidence that he gave a major speech in the National Cathedral last week, a symbol of what many of his coreligionists seek to wipe from the face of the earth? Are you as offended by this as I am?

While this self professed moderate was busy lecturing the gullible at Harvard, it was pouring rain here and a fair number of Iowans still went out to the place where some 3,000 or so flags are planted in a field to commemorate those who died, to think and reflect, to contemplate, and to consider what got us here and how it all happened.

I don't know about you, but the thing about blame is there's plenty enough to go around. I think we'd get along with the Islamic Republic a lot better if they'd tender an apology to all of us for the embassy affair and a check for the damage they caused, which might include back pay for all the people they held.