Sometimes TNR's notebook captures essence so well

From this week's issue:

FREEDOM'S JUST ANOTHER WORD

'The tradition of free speech exercised with enthusiasm is alive and well here in London. ... They now have that right in Baghdad as well." --President Bush, during a visit to England, November 19

"As many as 5,000 police will protect Bush [from protesters] during the visit, at a cost of nearly $9 million."--The Washington Post, November 19

"American soldiers handcuffed and firmly wrapped masking tape around an Iraqi man's mouth after they arrested him for speaking out against occupation troops. Asked why the man had been arrested and put into the back of a Humvee vehicle on Tahrir Square, the commanding officer told Reuters at the scene, ... 'This man has been detained for making anti-coalition statements.' He refused to say what the man said." --Reuters, November 11