khaosworks | Feb. 9th, 2002

Bush Rallies U.S. Team with Sept. 11's 'Let's Roll'

Borrowing the last words of Todd Beamer, a passenger aboard the American Airlines flight that slammed into a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11 after passengers apparently struggled with the plane's hijackers, Bush told the athletes: "You represent a spirit that is much bigger than evil and terror. You represent peace. Let's roll!"

You know, I'm just saying and all, and it's not as if the phrase as used by Beamer wasn't inspirational in context, but as a rallying cry it's a bit of a dud, isn't it? Bush's use of it once may have been apropos, but turning it into a bumper sticker seems just a little bit... pathetic, and kind of dilutes the meaning of Beamer's last words. Or am I off base here?