BREAKING: New Osama Video.

[im10ashus]

This must mean there's a new Bush scandal about to break:

Al-Jazeera airs audiotaped message purportedly from Osama bin Laden warning that plans for attacks inside U.S. are under way.

Edited to add updated link:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/19/binladen.tape/index.html

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Oh, great!

What now? And just how far will the stock market fall this time?

[skylarmae]

9. Scare tactics - market going up! n/t

[Beelzebud]

2. You mean he's not dead like all the freepers constantly wish?

You mean we can't just sit on our asses and wait for him to die on his own?

I know! Let's invade another country that had nothing to do with 9/11.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Like Iran?

Could this be the reason they released the tape now?

[yurbud]

8. freepers wish he's already dead so Bush is off hook for not catching?

[txindy]

3. Oh, I'm sure everyone will run for the duct tape & plastic sheeting, now

I doubt very many people (non-freeper people) will take this seriously. They're wise to the timing of these 'events'.

[Sydnie]

5. It amazes me that this happens everytime we are no longer

cowed and afraid by blivet** and his cabal. Wonder how many years old this one is.

[Moosepoop]

36. Probably old enough

that the audiotape has to be played on a reel-to-reel machine.

[yurbud]

6. in time for Iran War

[BlueEyedSon]

7. Is that where OBL is hiding these days?

[yurbud]

10. If Kerry had been ahead by a wide margin, Osama would have been hiding

in LA, and rooted out through airstrikes.

[theHandpuppet]

30. My bet's on somewhere in Idaho or Cincinnati

Working as a personal trainer for Dick Cheney or Jean Schmidt.

[H2O Man]

11. Strange, in an interesting way.

I hope people will listen to the reports about it with an open mind. Objectivity is a strength.

[havocmom]

23. but can't help wondering about timing and reports of Frist & DeLay offices

complete with Day Traders ;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x179499#180057

[im10ashus]

31. Thanks for the link.

This is all starting to make sense now. :-)

[H2O Man]

34. It might be worth

considering other possibilities.

[im10ashus]

Oh yes!

Always. The timing, however, is always circumspect with * & Co.

[havocmom]

38. Oh, there is a whole buffet of issues to divert attention from.

What worries me is the point they reach critical mass and the neocons really are cornered.

Have dealt with uninhibited wild animals who are hell bent on surviving before. Damned dangerous critters.

[H2O Man]

40. It might be

worth considering that bin Laden is not a puppet of the neocons, pulled out to distract attention from domestic affairs. I certainly would not suggest people should not consider that among possibilities, but not limit their thinking. Just one thing that might be worth doing is considering the tape in the context of Peter Bergen's book, among others.

[havocmom]

47. I've no doubt he has his own agenda.

Also have no doubt he knows how to play the neocons like a fiddle.

[im10ashus]

49. There's no doubt Osama has his own agenda.

What do you mean when you say "in the context of Peter Bergen's book." I haven't had a chance to read his latest.

[H2O Man]

51. To be honest,

I haven't read his book yet, either. But I am familiar with some of his research. And one of the things he points out is, contrary to popular belief, Usama bin Laden had no contact with the CIA in Afghanistan. This is exactly what Gore Vidal wrote in "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace."

In fact, while it is a popular notion in many sections, including DU, there is no evidence from the period in question that bin Laden had any contact with the CIA. The lack of this evidence, of course, is not positive evidence it didn't occure. But there should be some level of proof that is a bit stronger than something repeated numerous times since the mid-1990s.

Usama bin Laden, according to all reports that I am aware of, was a young, wealthy, and quiet man when he first joined the effort in Afghanistan. He was noted for being a devout Muslim, who practiced a strict form of Islam. According to what I consider reliable sources, including Michael Scheuer, bin Laden grew and developed into a leader .... which, in terms of human development, tends to be the path most humans take .... rather than being a "product" like George W. Bush.

If the sources like Bergen and Scheuer are correct, then the USA is faced with an enemy who is capable of fighting us as a result of our occupation of Islamic lands. More, he has made numerous "offers" to end violence between his forces and Europe and the USA. Perhaps most importantly, if one is familiar with militant Islamic practices, he would be obligated to make such an offer if he indeed - as he says - plans a future attack.

I am not asking anyone to change their mind based on what I think or say here. People should study this for themselves, and come to their own conclusions. I also am not saying Bush/Cheney are not criminals capable of killing thousands for oil .... in fact, they have killed thousands of Americans and untold tens of thousands of Iraqis for a lie. They are immoral. But I do not believe that bin Laden is a CIA/neocon puppet, brought out only to manipulate American citizens. In fact, I seem to remember some neocons pointing to our not hearing from bin Laden recently as evidence of Bush doing well. I think that we face a real enemy, made far more dangerous because of the greed and evil of Bush/Cheney, and that while the administration has been looking out for their own interests, they have sacrificed our safety.

[im10ashus]

52. I wouldn't say bin Laden is a CIA/neocon puppet either.

But you have to admit, the timing of this tape (if indeed it IS bin Laden) is VERY strange.

You can read the transcript of the tape here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2000318,00.html#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=World

Something that stuck out for me:

"We know that the majority of your people want this war to end and opinion polls show the Americans don't want to fight the Muslims on Muslim land, nor do they want Muslims to fight them on their (US) land."

As I said somewhere in this thread, it sounds like a perfect wedge statement, designed to pit the pro-war Americans against the pro-withdrawal Americans. He actually mentioned opinion polls in his statement.

[H2O Man]

54. While I am convinced

the republican machine stole the 2004 election, I still think that bin Laden's tape just before the vote swayed a lot of votes. Bush benefited.

On the other hand, it is difficult to think of a good time for bin Laden to release a tape to hurt Bush.

My primary concern is that the administration is not able to keep our country safe. I think they have stepped on the Bill of Rights, and violated the Constitution; started an illegal and immoral war for oil and a lie; and are vile, immoral snakes. And I know that you are right that they will attempt to use this as a wedge.

[im10ashus]

55. I worry about our safety as well.

This will be their "see? he's out to get us STILL" message and that's unfortunate because ultimately, we may be in REAL danger. And how will we know when and what to believe? It's frustrating at best.

[oasis]

12. Here's a scandal: Aug.6, 2001 presidential daily briefing---Osama Bin

Laden determined to strike within the U.S..

It was ignored. People died beacuse of Bush incompetence.

[im10ashus]

18. EXCELLENT!

Let's see what new scandal is about to break.

[yurbud]

13. Edit your headline to AUDIO

[Hyernel]

14. Since when does Osama give warnings?

I can almost see Cheney, just off screen, mixing up a pitcher of mojitos to celebrate another successful terrorist scare video.

[Coexist]

15. Why didn't he give a videotaped warning before 9/11??

Because he wanted it to be a SURPRISE attack.

[yurbud]

16. When will a prominent Democrat or intel figure call bullshit on this?

How many times do we have to go through these incredibly convenient media releases before someone says this about as real as the muppet show?

[NYC Liberal]

17. They are gonna do it right this time.

Lemme guess...he's "hiding in Iran." :eyes:

[Vickers]

19. Audio? Hey Osama, Best Buy is having a sale on camcorders this week!

:eyes:

[DrDebug]

22. They couldn't find an actor for the part on such short notice

Who Is Osama Bin Laden?
by Michel Chossudovsky

Prime suspect in the New York and Washington terrorists attacks, branded by the FBI as an "international terrorist" for his role in the African US embassy bombings, Saudi born Osama bin Laden was recruited during the Soviet-Afghan war "ironically under the auspices of the CIA, to fight Soviet invaders". 1

(...)

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO109C.html

An article in the French daily Le Figaro confirms that Osama bin Laden underwent surgery in an American Hospital in Dubai in July.

During his stay in the hospital, he met with a CIA official. While on the World's "most wanted list", no attempt was made to arrest him during his two week stay in the hospital, shedding doubt on the Administration's resolve to track down Osama bin Laden.

(...)

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/RIC111B.html

etc. etc. etc.

[Coexist]

20. I thought we were WAY on top of this...

isn't that the reason we have no more civil rights?

[asjr]

21. This tactic is really getting old! There is mold on it.

[Flubadubya]

24. CNN asking critical question...

Is it Osama or is it Memorex? :evilgrin:

[mduffy31]

25. Get ready the RW is going to go shithouse about this.

[bliss_eternal]

26. Only thing that surprises me about this--

is that it took them this long to trot Osama out again.

I guess they paid him handsomely for his appearance during '04 elections--hope he enjoyed his vacation.

So, what are we at now--Orange?...or is it Green?

[im10ashus]

29. I am sure he is all rested and tan by now.

Time to show his face all over the news. Keep the sheeple in their closet of fear. Does everyone have their duct tape ready?

[bliss_eternal]

41. LOL!

:rofl:

[hippiechick]

27. But he didn't send us a love note prior to 9/11 ...

... or prior to the attack on the USS Cole.

Innnnnnteresting, that "he" suddenly needs to start telegraphing "al-Queda's" plans, no?

[marmar]

28. Another bin Laden tape! Terra Terra Terra!

There must be some new Repug scandal about to break...

:think:

[Tamarin]

32. All bin Laden has to do is send out Dinner Party invitations and

BushCo will bomb the cities for him, easy peasy.

[rucky]

33. He's the best player in the Bush League. n/t

[im10ashus]

35. At least he's reliable.

Like clockwork. Any time there's a big scandal, up he pops.

[hippiechick]

37. Say it loud, DU'ers ...

despite the wiretaps
despite 'Homeland Security'
despite the torture flights
despite GITMO
despite the bloodbath in Iraq

WE ARE NOT SAFER NOW THAN WE WERE ON 9/10/01.

So whatcha got to say for yourselves, punkass George and evil Dick? :nuke:

[ProfessorGAC]

53. You've Got It!

That's what i said on another thread in this matter. Cheney and Silverspoon were on the road telling us how much safer we were now, just a few weeks ago. So, despite all the things they did that were "necessary" to make us safer in a time of war, we're not! Despite Cheney lying about all the attacks they thwarted, one video by OBL makes it clear that the gang that couldn't shoot straight has accomplished NOTHING!
The Professor

[Straight Shooter]

39. Plans for attacks inside the U.S. by Osama are *always* under way.

That's a given. It's understood. It's also the reason why Kerry criticized bush that "homeland security" was just a smokescreen feel-good department but wasn't really accomplishing the serious measures which need to be taken.

It was just recently, was it not, that certain items are allowed on airplanes again that could be used as weapons? (I don't fly and so that kind of info doesn't stick in my mind very well.)

BTW, do we have to rely on government "experts" to analyze Ob-la-di's voice? How about an independent company doing it this time.

[coyote]

42. Computer program raises possibility of voice theft

snip....

Scientists who have built a computer program capable of mimicking human voices are also developing watermarking technology to prevent the system from being misused.

The program, developed by a team at AT&T Laboratories in the US, convincingly mimics a particular voice by reconstructing its individual nuances and intonations from pre-recordings. The technology is far from perfect but its creators are wary that it could be misused in the future. The system is most likely to find its way into call centres, text-to-speech software and automated newswire reports.

Juergen Schroeter, a speech synthesis expert at AT&T, told New Scientist that the technology has plenty of commercial potential, but also admitted that he has security concerns.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn1148


This article is from August 2001.

[SSX]

57. and now they have confirmed it's "Osama's voice"

and to plant my tin foil cap firmly in place, they will capture the matching voice very soon. Somehow I think around Oct. if all goes according to plan.

[OneBlueSky]

43. wonder which BushCo flack wrote the copy for this . . . n/t

.

[im10ashus]

44. It smells like Rove. n/t

[Nikki Stone 1]

45. I'm surprised that even the sheeple haven't caught on by now

People WAKE UP!

[Warren DeMontague]

46. Hmmm. I wonder if this one comes with a statistical certainty.

Remember that? "Specific Intelligence"? "Definite Planning for a specific attack"?

"95% Certainty of an attack before the 2004 election"?

[Warren DeMontague]

48. Well, if "Osama" wants us out of Iraq...

then obviously we have to stay the course. Right?

[im10ashus]

50. This is too circumspect.

It sounds like a perfect wedge statement, designed to pit the pro-war Americans against the pro-withdrawal Americans.

If Osama is at the top of his game, the recent threats would be his acknowledgment that Bush's administration is swiftly hurtling towards oblivion, and there is no reason to hold off on another attack against the US on our soil. This would further exacerbate our already horrible domestic politics with the true believers blaming the peace movement, and the rest of us blaming Bush.

bin Laden even mentioned American public opinion polls in his statement (assuming it's legit).

[Warren DeMontague]

58. My bullshit meter goes off the charts with all this stuff.

I mean, one of those "Al Qaeda" tapes released in the wake of the Nick Berg craziness -you know, all the stuff that showed up just in time to knock Abu Ghraib off the headlines- would have us believe that "the terrorists" are mad about Gay Marriage in the U.S.

Although I suppose it's possible that "Osama" is playing U.S. politics like a fiddle, I find it increasingly odd that, for example, between the release of Fahrenheit 9-11 and the '04 elections "he" releases tapes where he sounds like a cross between Michael Moore and John Kerry... Now, he's echoing the precise charge that has made the WH squirm the MOST in recent months.. namely, that Bush "misled" the American people on Iraq (although we're 'allowed' to have differing opinions on the war, supposedly, it is 'irresponsible', according to Bush, to imply that he 'misled' the American People)

Assuming it's legit- that's the rub. I remain, as they say, skeptical.

[LSK]

56. too many people are bringing up the "i" - word

Time to distract distract distract!