So now its Democratic talking points.
Perhaps we should rename the video as a promo for
YOU GUESSED IT: "OBAMA BIN LADEN"
The punditry will have a field day!!
Cheers
THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!THIS IS FAKE!!
Now click the heels of your Ruby Slippers three times, and it'll come true...
Just curious. What is the evidence that the tape is genuine?
Posted at 2007-09-08 07:04:55 [PermaLink]"What is the evidence that the tape is genuine?"
That's an interesting question, and some commentators, such Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs, still think Osama is taking a dirt nap. The CIA says the tape is genuine [External Link], so for now we presumably have to take their word for it.
Given that al Qaeda seems most effective at getting large numbers of Muslims killed, I doubt that making turning Osama into a martyr would be useful. Hatred of al Qaeda has become a unifying force in Iraq and is a primary reason we're seeing success in the Sunni Triangle. And Osama is the international face of al Qaeda.
Presumably, Bruce, I don't have to take the CIA's word for anything.
A suspiciously large number of individuals have now received Osama's kiss of death. If he is as smart as some people say he is, wouldn't he know that his comments, making common cause with individuals and movements who have no reason to make common cause with him, would play right into the hands of those "neo-cons" and "corporations" that he excoriates?
"don't have to take the CIA's word for anything"
Then don't. It's not as though their track record for providing reliable intelligence has been impeccable.
I doubt Osama's message is intended for an American audience -- outside of a few nutcases in Hollywood and academia, anyway. And it's easy enough for people on the Left to disown Osama or to turn his message on it's head as "reverse psychology."
The conspiracy inclined can label it a Karl Rovian plot. The people who believe the twin towers were brought down by the government using pre-positioned demolitions will presumably believe just about anything. After all, fire doesn't melt steel and isn't Osama just a Neocon puppet, anyway?
I'm no "truther," so let's not go down that road. I just find it interesting that a freshly groomed and younger-looking Osama is spending his time publicly stating what a helpful and pleasant bunch we left-wingers are. Just what we need. Come to think of it, Bruce, just what you need. :)
Posted at 2007-09-08 09:26:26 [PermaLink]So, you're going with the fake Osama angle?
Posted at 2007-09-08 09:30:34 [PermaLink]Stop it; you're making my head hurt! ;)
Posted at 2007-09-08 09:39:08 [PermaLink]No, Bruce, I'm stating a little agnosticism about it all. But cui bono is never a bad question to ask, is it?
Posted at 2007-09-08 11:58:09 [PermaLink]If it's a fake by someone outside of al Qaeda, don't you think we would have heard from al Qaeda about it by now?
And if it's a fake from al Qaeda, why would they gear their message so that it's "just what [I] need"?
Both good questions. I'm not sure in the first instance, though, that al Qaeda would necessarily want to clear the record. What do they really care about our (relatively minor, generally speaking) disagreements?
Posted at 2007-09-08 12:37:14 [PermaLink]Addendum: Bruce, here's an interesting take from NRO.
[External Link]
There are a lot of people, including some at NRO, who are heavily invested in the notion that Osama died in Afghanistan.
Anyway, according to the Telegraph, "CIA officials said voice analysis of the tape proved it was definitely bin Laden." That should be easy enough for anyone with voice analysis equipment to confirm. [External Link]
This is probably informed speculation, but "American spy chiefs were quick to name Adam Gadahn, the head of al-Qaeda's English language media operations, as the author of large sections of bin Laden's broadcast." And, "A former senior US intelligence official said: 'It has Adam Gadahn written all over it.' Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer, said the tape left bin Laden with 'the title of biggest gas bag in the terrorist world'".
According to the not-always-reliable Wikipedia [External Link], Adam Gadahn (a.k.a. Azzam the American) was born, raised, and home-schooled in California. His paternal grandfather was Jewish, but Adam converted to Islam in 1995 and his "study group were young fundamentalists who 'targeted the mosque's chairman, Hitham 'Danny' Bundakji,' whom they referred to as `Danny the Jew,` for his practice of 'wearing Western clothes and being overly friendly with Jews.'" Adam is "described by former friends as a 'loner' as well as a 'follower' who had little experience in social situations."
He's the first American to be charged with treason in more than a half-century.
Osama needs a new speechwriter. Or, if you're conspiracy minded, maybe he's a CIA or neocon plant!