OpEdNews.Com

Families of the September 11 victims were treated today to Condoleezza Rice's testimony before the commission investigating the Al Qaeda attacks.

You can expect the families to be further outraged.

I just listened to Rice's opening statement. The Bush administration has reached a new low.

When one hears a young child lie and exaggerate, one is apt not to get upset.

Children do not know well the difference between telling the truth and lying.

We adults teach them, with love and understanding.

But hearing Rice testifying, I was struck with pity and disgust, and I pictured Condi as a little girl, lying in childish whimsy when asked questions about not doing her school work.

Picture this scene of Condie Rice as a second-grader who didn't do her homework:

-- "Condi, did you finish your homework, sweetie? I heard that you did not do it."

-- "Daddy, I have worked on a new, comprehensive strategy to address my homework. I am tired of dealing with each homework assignment like I am swatting flies. This is the right choice for me, and for all children in America."

--"Yes, honey, but did you finish your homework?"

--"There are many broad challenges facing me today in these perilous times. Action has been undertaken to tackle this growing homework since the transition to the third grade."

Condi's parents would be seriously concerned, and would seek professional help.

Rice opened her testimony today addressing the 9/11 victims:

"We owe it to those that we lost, and to their loved ones, and to our country to learn all that we can about that tragic date and the events that led to it."

Yes, Condi we do owe the truth in these mattes. But you have gone way past lying and covering up the truth. You have veered into a pathological disrepect for the 9/11 victims' families. Have you no shame? You need some serious help.

Michael Leon has been published nationally in CounterPunch, In These Times, The Progressive and OpEdNews.com. He can be reached at: maleon@terracom.net ."