I have watched George Nethercutt latch onto Murray's talk with the HS students like a dying man to a lifering. But, it has caused me to ponder a question.

It's now been over 2 years that the offer of a $25M reward - dead or alive - has been on the head of OBL. Why has no one collected?

I expect that a lot of the Bushies on this site will say - "He's dead already, buried in the caves of Tora Bora." However, the preponderance of evidence says that he is alive. It seems hard to believe that there is not one person who is moved by the idea of riches. Or maybe, this creep is really beloved by the people of the area?

I am finishing up "Imperial Hubris, How the West is losing the War on Terror" by Anonymous. Truly a fascinating book with some interesting theses. A couple that I have taken away:

1. The Islamic Terrorists do not hate us for what we are, they hate us for what we do.

2. The two biggest gifts we have given Al Queda are the Invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

3. The only way to win the war on Terror is to have a level of commitment that rivals our commitment in WWII. Further, he claims that America must adopt an Imperial attitude to win the War on Terror - we must take over countries like Iraq and occupy them as though they are part of a US Empire. Just to make things clear, only a fool would say that the US has acted in an Imperial way. We never have, and I believe we never will. Hard to have a viable empire, ruled by Military might, in a Democracy.

4. Although there is plenty of criticism for the Bush handling of the War on Terror, do not be confused, Anonymous does not support the Kerry position either.

I recommend this book, it has the "ring of truth" to it. For what its worth, the author makes the claim that the Christian Science Monitor consistently has the most accurate coverage of the War on Terror.

Blame America First!


Blah Blah Blah

Cogent analysis Rory

'the author makes the claim that the Christian Science Monitor consistently has the most accurate coverage of the War on Terror'.--Eddie
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Those words, the last sentence in your post told me how 'cogent' the authors views on the Middle East and Terrorism are.

I'd probably get a less biased and more 'fair and balanced' look at the world if I read Noam Chomsky.

read the book

THEN form an opinion

otherwise you may wind up looking uninformed and doltish in any conversation surrounding OBL and terrorism. Remember, this book was written by the CIA's foremost expert on the matter....

...BUT, since it makes your guy look like the foreign policy idiot he truly is, i don't imagine you will read it. I mean, why bother....right?

...and your qualifications to accurately assess the ability of a CIA terrorism EXPERT to compose a 'cogent' opinion on the pro's and con's of the 'War on terror' come from where exactly Rory?

He may be the formost expert but it is still his opinion and no one man is an expert in all areas and natually brings his bias. I am on the waiting list for the book. I have read several pieces referenceing the book. I like some of waht I read.

1. The Islamic Terrorists do not hate us for what we are, they hate us for what we do.

I agree with this completely the issue is we have to do most of the things we do based on their stance on certain issues. They will not come to the table on Isreal and they never will. It all stems from that one issue.

2. The two biggest gifts we have given Al Queda are the Invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

this was written when the common thought was that their was a Moderate Islamic majority that was repressed or silent.
We are now seeing evidence that this is not the case . I agree somewhat and think it would have spread anyhow.


3. The only way to win the war on Terror is to have a level of commitment that rivals our commitment in WWII. Further, he claims that America must adopt an Imperial attitude to win the War on Terror - we must take over countries like Iraq and occupy them as though they are part of a US Empire. Just to make things clear, only a fool would say that the US has acted in an Imperial way. We never have, and I believe we never will. Hard to have a viable empire, ruled by Military might, in a Democracy.

This may be true but we will try the right way first as always.

4. Although there is plenty of criticism for the Bush handling of the War on Terror, do not be confused, Anonymous does not support the Kerry position either.

Idealistic in the sense that it is easy to quaterback off the couch when you do not have to worry about politics domestic and international. As much as we would fault any president global politics dictate direction right or wrong. It's the number one reason Clinton did not attempt this even though he thought he should.

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I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.


4 Salt,

I was referencing the Christian Science Monitor praise (for their coverage of anything).

If you read that paper over time and can tell me with a straight face that they (CSM) doesn't have a bias--you're probably a pretty good poker player.

"Blame America first." Where did he do that? Typical radical right parrotting.

Krusty want a cracker?

King - Your response is more of what I was looking for. It is clear that I'm a Kerry supporter and you are not. However, the theses in this book can foster intellegent discussion based on its merits alone. Thanks for giving us a serious response.

King and Rory - Care to take a stab at the original question - "Why hasn't anyone turned in OBL and claimed the reward?"

I know what you were referencing Rory. I guess I'm just a bit naieve when it comes to thinking that a recognized expert without an obvious political agenda just might be able to make a qualified judgement as to what news sources he finds the most impartial. :p

Eddie,

I think he is dead. I think there is more reason to let Islamic people believe he is alive for the US. I would think that OBL's face on Al Jezzera would do wonders for his minions.


If he is alive then someone would have to say that the millions would be worth it to look over thier shoulder for the rest of thier life to turn him in. You would have to have presidential security forever.

Fair point King

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Maybe he's already dead, and no one has scraped his DNA off the cave wall yet.

Maybe he's alive--if so I believe he's seriously injured since we haven't seen a video of him in quite a while--this would be a boost to his followers and I believe he would make one available if he could .

If he is alive he's surrounded by fantical islamo-fascists that are as dedicated to their cause as OBL is. These people are not motivated by money the way someone from the West might be. They believe their cause and potential reward (72 virgins and a eternal nod from Allah) is far more valuable than a temporal riches 25 or 50 million could bring.

The people around that might know of his where abouts but are not be as dedicated to Islamo-fascism as OBL and his Crew are more worried about what his crew would do to them and their families than earning a reward.

If he (OBL) is still alive I believe he's in Pakistan or quite possibly Iran.

I think the reward is $50m btw

KK,

I don't "think" I am right I know I am right. It's nice of you , Eddie , GH, 4salt and others to post so I can prove it :p

Pretty easy to do when the only one you can convince is yourself.

GH,

It's real easy with Pud's like you and Marty Feldman around. Kind of like kicking a stupid dog however, Kicking him more won't make him any smarter :p

I think OBL is hiding in one of the day care centers Patty Murray said he built to help all the people. No one can find him because the day care centers he built are invisible.