Speed Gibson

Senator John Kerry says "we have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives, but they're a nuisance." The word nuisance has drawn considerable attention, but let's give Kerry a break here. In other remarks, many taken out of proper context, Kerry is making the point, however badly, that terrorism will never truly end, and he's right. Where he's wrong is in thinking we can go back to September 10 or earlier, depending on how you define nuisance.

This is so telling about Mr. Kerry. When he says "we have to get back ..." I fear that he's talking about his world, not our world. Terrorism is both a personal inconvenience as in travel, and a career spoiler. Dealing with terrorism is real work and long hours, not the pomp and circumstance he envisions.

Kerry's world is a gated community. There is to be no real debate, no nukes, no Wendy's chili, no criticism, no unnecessary contact with the rabble, and no personal concerns for money. His vision of the Presidency is one of meetings, summits, state dinners, ceremony, and luxurious world travel, all covered by a friendly, undemanding press. The only possible defect in all this is Teresa, as in "Harcourt! Harcourt Fenton Mudd, you've been ...!"

John Kerry would be President of KerryWorld, not President of the United States of America.