Krugman, Shame, and Politicizing Tragedies

People have sent Paul Krugman's comments on 9/11 and I admit to having a mixed reaction. As many of you know, I have not supported the U.S. wars abroad and even had a conversation with Krugman in 2004 about my opposition to them, especially the Iraq war.

However, Krugman seems to use the post-9/11 tragedy to play his usual games of political partisanship, and that is what bothers me most. George W. Bush hardly is the first politician to hype and politicize a tragedy. Yes, it is disgusting, but Bill Clinton hyped Oklahoma City and trotted out legislation that was every bit as terrible as what we saw in the Patriot Act. (In fact, much of what was in the Patriot Act was what Clinton tried to get passed but could not in the face of Republican opposition.)

Furthermore, now that the Obama administration continues the odious CIA rendition programs, sends assassination squads abroad, and keeps the prison at Guantanamo open, we hear nothing from Krugman. Nothing.

This is not a guy who support civil liberties; this is a guy who supports Democrats. Krugman will use the civil liberties weapon when it fits against Republicans, but is silent when Democrats engage in the same horrible conduct.

Yes, the Bush administration's reaction to 9/11 was shameful, just as Bill Clinton's was after Oklahoma City. Both administrations engaged in the slaughter of innocent people -- and received praise from the usual quarters.

Furthermore, when Bush was president, war was terrible. With Obama in the White House, it now is a "stimulus." Enough said.