From the wayback machine: "Patriot Day" column ...

I've already seen about 40 images of the World Trade Center this morning ... and I'm already sick of the patriotism I'm told I'm supposed to have today. Heaven forbid we should be patriotic all the time ... we just reserve it for today.

I'm reminded of a column I wrote for the one-year anniversary of the towers falling ... and how I imagined then the anniversaries in the future might look. Just seven years out, I'm thinking what I imagined then will likely come to fruition sooner than I thought.

But until we turn Sept. 11th in a reason for a long weekend, the disciples of Karl Rove will use it as a reason to keep us in fear ... and in check.

And I wonder: which is worse?