I think a lot of the point may be drawn from the proposed design of a political cartoonist: one tower, from a thick base, resembling an extended middle finger.

President Bush's first speech at Ground Zero drew thunderous response from a crowd of citizens who were months away from even being able to grieve. They seemed to be angry or bitter at best. And he gave them just enough cowboy attitude for them to love him for that moment.

This time last year, i got to spend a week in New York. Five months after the tragedy, the people were caring for each other at a level this small-town boy might not expect from the inhabitants of the City. It all seemed to make them realize how much the care for and need each other.

But there's also the longing to prove that the scars don't mean the wound still hurts. Whether or not the city (or the nation) is better off, the people with the power to do so want to back the idea that it is better off, that we're somehow stronger.

And speaking as one American, i don't like the sentiment. But i can't deny that i feel it in myself to some degree.