Congressman Paul provoked the former mayor when he argued that America’s interventionist foreign policy played a key role in inciting terrorist attacks against the country. Paul, an ardent Constitutionalist, believed that America should follow the Jeffersonian dictum of "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." An indignant Giuliani reminded the crowd that because he was mayor during the September 11th attacks, he was astounded anyone could make such an absurd statement. Giuliani passionately argued that, contrary to Paul’s claims, the "terrorists hate America because of its freedoms."

Giuliani, ignoring the findings of both the 9/11 Commission and the CIA, insisted that bureaucrats who were not mayors of New York City on September 11th, as he was, are not qualified to understand the mind of fear-mongering groups like Al-Qaeda. Instead, the mayor asserted, the fact that the country has a Bill of Rights and Constitution is the reason why it is so despised in the Middle East. This insight led the former mayor of New York City to rethink his previous support of the Iraq War.

"If they hate us for our freedoms, let’s take those freedoms away. By abandoning the Bill of Rights and instituting martial law, we can not only end this deadly war, but we can deprive bin Laden of the rhetorical ammunition he uses against us. Why didn’t the terrorists attack China? Or North Korea?"

Surprisingly, Democratic leadership praised the proposal. Eager to leave Iraq, Senator Nancy Pelosi hoped that the proposed police state would be a great force for social change. "Finally the troops will come home and be put to better use. I will be the first to end partisanship bickering and reach across the aisle to work with the mayor."

Some Republicans, however, are not as enthusiastic over the proposal. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich attacked what he called "Rudy’s naïve understanding of the world," and suggested that the former mayor "sit down with the Book of Revelations to fully appreciate the nuanced geo-politics of the Middle East."

Giuliani remained steadfast in his convictions. Il Duce, as he is affectionately known to his supporters, invoked Abraham Lincoln and Augusto Pinochet to appeal to his base. His speech ended with a promise to the voters. "If you elect me, I will not sleep until every single one of your liberties is lost. Next time Zawahiri tries pointing to our supposed freedoms, under my regime, his fatwas will fall on deaf ears. As mayor of New York City during the attacks of September 11th, I saw the consequences of freedom. It ends here."

Although President Bush has yet to comment, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow announced that, "the president is excited to see a candidate that finally pushes the PATRIOT Act to its logical conclusion."

May 19, 2007

Max Raskin [maxraskin@comcast.net)goes to high school in New Jersey.