Reply #1: I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about this column.

[Miss Authoritiva]

My late father took part in the D-Day invasion, a 20 year old so homesick he was unable to feel fear. But Kettle makes several sharp observations. And I do agree that "it's the commemoration -- not what it commemorates -- that is the problem."

Like everything else on the planet, the anniversary celebrations are ripe for exploitation -- especially for cheap media programming and for cheap political piggybacking. And Bush's repetitive use of the words "generation" and "sacrifice" since 9/11 is shameless. Someone should tell his speechwriters and his handlers: It's not the same.