There are those who will no doubt quibble with President Bush's insistence that a proposed national intelligence czar and counterterrorism center be created OUTSIDEof the White House. But make no mistake, that will be nothing more than a pointless quibble.

The 9/11 commission made the intelligence czar and the center the centerpiece of its recommendations for tackling this dangerous new era we find ourselves living in. The commission thought the official ought to be located in the White House. This president thinks a little more distance and independence is appropriate.