In a recent speech in Arizona, former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney blasted the administration's handling of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and claimed that talking points urged representatives to tell constituents that the terrorists "hate our freedom."

The charge is noteworthy, even shocking, because it shows that the administration had apparently resolved to use the tragedy to shape national consciousness in a particular way. The administration's response, if McKinney is to be believed, smacks of political opportunism - even propaganda.

McKinney made the charge during a speech on at the First Christian Church in Tuscon, AZ. Her speech and the comment itself was reported by a student newspaper, The Wildcat Online. The article quoted her as saying: "How in the world can we sustain the injuries from Sept. 11th and not even ask any questions about what happened that day?"