America Supports You Freedom... by taking away our civil rights

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced plans for a free country music concert, "America Supports You Freedom Walk" on September 11 "to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, to honor U.S. troops and veterans, and to highlight the value of freedom... [it] will be preceded by a private ceremony for the families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon." Donald Rumsfeld announcement the event in the middle of an Iraq war briefing yesterday. Air America's website makes the connection that the event implicitly links the war in Iraq with the attacks in 2001.

From the New York Daily News - Word of the event startled some observers. "I've never heard of such a thing," said John Pike, who has been a defense analyst in Washington for 25 years and runs GlobalSecurity.org.

A state sponsored march through the city square? I think its happened once or twice, usually accompanied by soldiers marching in unison, waving nationalistic flags, followed by tanks yelling something patriotic to their fearless leader. But I don't think it was ever done to the smooth sounds of Clint Black.

The article continues, "That piece of it is disturbing since we all know now there was no connection," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq veteran who heads Operation Truth, an anti-administration military booster. Rieckhoff suggested the event was an ill-conceived publicity stunt. "I think it's clear that their public opinion polls are in the toilet."

"How about telling Mr. Rumsfeld to leave the memories of September 11 victims to the families?" said Monica Gabrielle, who lost her husband in the attacks.