POLL: How seriously do you take any Al Qaeda story in the MSM?

[yurbud]

[katsy]

1. voted not at all...

because I suspect al qaeda is a division of bushco inc.

[BlueJac]

2. Al Qaeda seems like a Bush/Rove invention.....

maybe they can go hold hands on the ranch....Bin Lyin' might even be hanging out down in Texas, clearin' brush and playing guitar!

[cyclezealot]

3. Qaeda existed at all. Reagan/Bush I created them

So Junior has to undo Reagan's creation? Make peace with the world is best way not to be hated.Bushie's Homeland Security has not a color code purple for Bull Sh!t.

[yurbud]

9. best homeland security: don't let big business run foreign policy

[cyclezealot]

11. anyone doubts they don't?

Look to the late decorated US General Smedly Butler..After colonial adventures in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Central America..He said US soldiers did not fight for the Republic , but instead for Wall Street. None the less- Reagan decoraed him? Why? Senility..
please google Smeedly Butler...Business interests once tried to coy him into toppling FDR to become the US's first dictator..No lie..Plans just got into the talking stage between Wall Street CEO's and Butler. Interesting history..US Senate held hearing, but kept it low key.

[yurbud]

12. Ooo-RAH

Smedley's great.

[FloridaPat]

4. I'm still wondering who they work for. And that group is the threat.

Since al qaeda seems to help * a lot and * seems to do what al qaeda wants, one of them works for the other. But since a lot of Israelis have been caught recruiting for al qaeda, it could be an Israli operation which would also explain why * is involved.

[EnfantTerrible]

5. Other

I just assume, that since they are a creation of the US Government, a creation that has run amok, that they are just one more tool in the White House bag of tricks used to manipulate the masses... many of whom it would seem want to be manipulated. The MSM is by and large just the delivery system for WH propaganda... So, I chose other... I do believe that Al Qaeda exists and that they are dangerous. I just believe that they are a part of our Government now... who I also believe exists, has run amok, and is very dangerous to it's own people and the world.

[Eugene]

6. Seriously but skeptical

I voted "other", but "somewhat" might be a better fit.
Al Qaeda is real and it is dangerous, but BushCo and
MSM portrayals are full of propaganda.

I treat any MSM story with Al Qaeda and Iraq in it
as containing at least 50% bullsh*t, especially
if they reference "Al Queda in Iraq" or Al Zarqawi.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

7. It depends on who's providing the info

I tend to completely ignore headline news where everyone who has a poster of bin Laden is elevated to "Al-qaeda leader" status. But in print, or extended reports I listen intently to people like Jason Burke, Frank Gardner & Abdel Barry Atwan (who I doubt get much exposure in the US) as theirs seems the most reasoned & informative perspective.

[yurbud]

8. got links to these guys?

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

13. sure

Jason Burke writes for the Observer (the Guardian's Sunday paper) & they have an archive (which for some reason stops in June last year) here:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/worldview/page/0,11916,715400,00.html

his book "Al-Qaeda" is well worth reading & he's featured in the BBC documentary series "The Power of Nightmares"

Frank Gardner is the BBC security correspondent who was shot & paralysed in Saudi Arabia (his cameraman was killed) 2 years ago. As such, he regularly has slots on BBC radio & TV but doesn't file written stories for the BBC website (though he is quoted there if you want to do a search).

Abdul Bari Atwan is editor of Al-Quds, a large Arabic newspaper based in London. He's often the token Middle-Eastener on discussion programs or asked to give the Arab opinion on any given topic. He's met bin Laden a couple of times and his newspaper has been used by terrorist groups to publicise actions. As with Frank Gardner, his online presence is small. Al-quds is in Arabic & most UK TV stations (unlike MSNBC for eg) don't provide transcripts of programs. But google his name & he crops up a fair bit.

Hope that helps.

[donco6]

10. Al Qaeda = Anyone We Kill.

Insurgents = Anyone We Kill.

I don't trust any of it.

[yurbud]

14. terrorist=anyone who fights back (only in GOP reality)