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(Image provided by IntelCenter.)
by Frank James
One of the most persuasive analyses of Osama bin Laden's latest video, in which the terrorist kingpin, discoursed on the subprime mortgage crisis, among other things, is to be found in today's Christian Science Monitor.
Sarah Lawrence College Professor Fawaz Gerges, a well-known, oft-quoted expert on extremist Islamic jihadis, asserts that bin Laden has borrowed a class-struggle critique right out of the Karl Marx playbook.
Gerges writes:
"Poor and exploited Americans, unite against your capitalist laws that make the rich richer and the poor poorer," the former multimillionaire businessman tells the camera. Never before has bin Laden utilized the grandiose language of Marxism in his statements to the American people. And yet, he says, Muslims and Americans are alike; they are both victims of the capitalist system, which "seeks to turn the entire world into a fiefdom of the major corporations under the label of 'globalization' in order to protect democracy."
Someone might want to pass along to bin Laden that America's flirtation with communism and socialism is so been-there, done-that. Americans who were disposed to communism or socialism had their fling with it in the last century and have since moved on.
Plus, we all noticed that Marx's ideas didn't exactly really work out all that well for the Europeans, the Cubans, the Chinese, the Cambians etc.
Of course, this may mean little to a man intent on re-establishing the caliphate of the 12th century.
Meanwhile, there's been a lot of speculation about why bin Laden's beard has gone from gray-streaked to black.
Some have suggested vanity. Others that he may be wearing a fake beard because he had to cut off a real one to blend in with a local population along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border where men don't sport beards.
Gerges has a fairly convincing answer:
His gray beard is dyed black and trimmed neatly, which is actually an old tradition dating back to the birth of Islam; the prophet Muhammad reportedly dyed his hair and recommended, while at war, that his commanders and soldiers dye theirs to strike fear in the enemy.
Gerges believes that U.S. officials may not fully grasp what bin Laden is doing. The video is less about sending a signal for an attack than it is a demonstration that bin Laden is ratcheting up his war of ideas. The terrorist leader clearly thinks he has landed on a winning argument the workers of the world can unite behind.
If anything, it shows the disconnect between bin Laden's aspirations and reality. It's further proof, as though any were needed, that there's nothing to negotiate with him.
Says Gerges:
While US officials scrutinize the video for clues of new attacks, they seem to be losing sight of its strategic propagandist value. Bin Laden does not have to give signals to strike inside the US. Al Qaeda Central and the US are already waging war, and Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's No. 2, is apparently the operational commander these days, not bin Laden.
Bin Laden's address is a new twist in the ideological struggle for hearts and minds, mostly because it targets Westerners and Americans. Obviously, bin Laden and his senior associates feel confident to expand their propaganda campaign in the other war – the war of ideas.
Comments
Why would bin Laden think that Marxist class-warfare, anti-capitalist rhetoric would appeal to his target audience--the American Left?
It doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to figure that one out.
Posted by: Bruce | September 13, 2007 10:43 AM
Nobody cares what color his hair or beard is. Everybody should care that his radical Islamic terrorist movement has expanded beyond his wildest dreams, with people taking his words to heart (the recent Scottish airport bombing attempt) by people not affiliated with any cell of his terrorist network.
He's been free for so long, capturing him won't do a thing in stopping his anti-America movement.
Posted by: BC | September 13, 2007 10:53 AM
You too can have a dark beard with "Fanatic Beard Dye for Men".
Posted by: DB | September 13, 2007 11:18 AM
It doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to figure that one out.
Posted by: Bruce | September 13, 2007 10:43 AM
Well you're no Sherlock if you think that the "American left" gives a crap about what Bin Laden says and you keep insinuating the lack of patriotism on the left. You are the worst kind of American. If McCarthy were here now, you would be one of his followers. It so happens there are many who lean left that are and have served this country. Some have died for it, and you can sit like a pompous a** behind your keyboard and call other people unpatriotic? No one needs your America!
Posted by: bill r. | September 13, 2007 11:20 AM
Really,the only issue is that the person responsible for the worst attack on US soil is still at large.
Allowing 9/11 to happen on his watch and the failure to catch the person that masterminded the plot are the two major reasons this Prez is going to be remembered as the worst Prez in history.
Posted by: Raving Loon | September 13, 2007 11:24 AM
BC, there have been folks taking bin Laden's word to heart for more than 15 years now. This isn't a phenomena that began in March 2003. Please, for your sake, get into the real world.
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 11:30 AM
Bruce:
Here is a more important question:
Why is this guy still around making videos?? Why is the mastermind of 9/11 still alive?? Why did George Bush decide it was more important to get rid of Saddam instead of Bin Laden?
Posted by: BobinATL | September 13, 2007 12:10 PM
I think it's hysterical (and telling) that he continues to go on his left wing tirades. The left has to be wrestling with this in their mind.
He sounds like he is auditioning to be the hero of Michaal Moore's next movie.
Way to go lefties, our biggest enemy buys into all of your propaghanda.
You must be so proud.
Posted by: JD | September 13, 2007 12:23 PM
Why is bin Laden using rhetoric that he's never used before?
Because the video is a fake.
Why is bin Laden's beard suddenly black?
Because the video is a fake.
More importantly--and not addressed here--why does the video *freeze* during the entire time "bin Laden" is talking about any even remotely current events?
Because the video is a fake.
That is all.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2007 12:24 PM
What this video proves is that OBL is DEAD! Only the kooky left can look at a picture that is obviously 20 years old and conclude it is brand new. How hard would it be to find a 2 year old news paper? (From 2004)
He was killed at Tora Bora
Posted by: RAI | September 13, 2007 12:25 PM
"No play for Mr. Gray"
Osama's been watching too many TV commercials in his cave.
And it looks like Bruce has been watching way too much Fox News. Sure Bruce, Osama is real appealing to Americans on the left. (That's sarcasm, in case you needed help figuring that out.) You know how much lefties love spoiled rich kids who go all power-mad and start bombing and killing people, right? As we all know from Fox News, lefties are completely anti-religion, so they couldn't possibly support a guy who prays five times a day. Can you imagine how they'd react to a guy who says he gets his instructions straight from God? Besides, OBL worked for the CIA before declaring war on America. If there's anything the lefties hate more than religion, it's the CIA.
I can understand why you right-wingers think he'd get support from the lefties, though. You guys believe whatever your leaders say, no matter how often their actions contradict their words. It's only natural that you would expect lefties to exhibit the same idiotic behavior.
You are right about one thing, though. You're no Sherlock Holmes.
Posted by: Tom O | September 13, 2007 12:47 PM
Bin Laden, the mastermind of the WTC attacks which incinerated nearly 3,000 people is still at large. And the Bush administration even knows where he is and has not done a thing about it.
Posted by: Doug R. | September 13, 2007 1:03 PM
"Americans who were disposed to communism or socialism had their fling with it in the last century and have since moved on."
They've moved on, alright. They've moved to corporate welfare, farm subsidies, military industrial complexes, and other nice little niches.
Marxism isn't dead by any means. It's a pendulum that is swinging from left to right.
Consider the affects of something like 9/11 on our liberties.
Events can change the way we think about almost anything.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | September 13, 2007 1:04 PM
RNCBruce,
What ever happened to your hero's declaration that he'd get Bin Laden "dead or alive." You need to enlist now, chickenhawk or shut your mouth. Our military is at the breaking point because of deadenders like yourself who parrot Bush's state stay the course stance, but don't have the courage or conviction to enlist themselves. Has this RNC money you receiving been worth selling your soul for the worst POTUS ever?
Posted by: neal | September 13, 2007 1:07 PM
Reeks of suspicious propaganda--from where? From whom?
Dear Osama,
As a FREE American women, I reject your message of conversion to Islam. I haven't seen much of a life for Islamic females I would care to embrace for myself, my daughter, my grandaughter, or my sisters around the world. Religion/theocracy is not the answer--and capitalism doesn't make me jump for joy either. Peddle your enslaving wares else where.
Sincerely,
A FREE American woman
Posted by: Deborah | September 13, 2007 1:28 PM
Bin Laden's dark beard??
Why did Gacy look the way he did?
Why did Dammer look the way he did?
Bin Laden is a serial mass murderer. He would hope that we would listen to his reasoning behind why he kills people daily. I am no more interested in his rationalizations than I am interested in any murders excuses for their actions. I have only one question.
Why is he still murdering people? I want an answer! Why hasen't he been caught, Mr. Bush?
Posted by: Bob | September 13, 2007 1:55 PM
Neal, I know you're a full-fledged Loon, but quit the "shut your mouth," "shut your hole," and other attempts at white trash bully talk.
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 2:14 PM
Since the Civil War,our political atmosphere has never been more polarized. At least Liberals and Conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, are not firing live bullets at each other; but there are other ways of harming ourselves; words can kill also; our rhetoric needs to be more civil to our own fellow Americans. We have a common enemy, an enemy that can't be negotiated with, an enemy such as Bin Laden and his ilk that seeks to destroy us.
We need to respectfully "hear" each other's points of views while standing together. The cliche that our enemy also recalls resonates: Divide and Conquer. Sure, serious military mistakes were made, such as, possibly, the early disbanding of the army in Iraq -- but now is not the time to despair, now is not the time to run and make Iraq a safe haven for the terrorists; now is the time, to paraphrase an oft-cited quote, for enough good men and women to come to the aid of their country -- OR THE FORCES OF EVIL WILL TRIUMPH. We won WWII by uniting. It's not easy, it never will be.Nothing worth preserving is easy. Our enemies are trying to exploit our division. We need to close ranks and prevent them from doing so. It doesn't matter whether a Republican or Democrat is in the White House now or in the future as long as we return to our tradition of supporting the President and our military. We are not each other's enemies. We are here to enjoy our freedoms and, further, to help those who need our aid. We can agree to disagree. But we must stay united in order to consolidate our total strength and sense of purpose. Our own survival demands it. United we stand; divided we fall. We are the UNITED States of America.
Posted by: Herb L | September 13, 2007 3:20 PM
Dear A FREE American Woman,
Where I come from women are not free. They are supposed to bow down to the men in their lives. You are to obey your master's every wish. Women are supposed to walk around with the faces covered. That is the life for you, your daughter, grand daughter, and sisters around the world. In my world your wishes and views mean nothing and you have no say in what you get to do. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts.
Sincerely,
Osama
Posted by: Osama | September 13, 2007 3:55 PM
[quote]
BC, there have been folks taking bin Laden's word to heart for more than 15 years now. This isn't a phenomena that began in March 2003. Please, for your sake, get into the real world.
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 11:30 AM
[/quote]
That would be when he was in Afghanistan helping drive the Soviet Union out of the country, all the while the CIA was arming him with guns, Stinger missiles, etc., right? Or are you referring to something earlier than that? If so, please provide links to the stories that are what you're talking about.
Posted by: BC | September 13, 2007 3:59 PM
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 2:14 PM
You should talk.
Constantly telling people that they're "Loony Left", "need medical attention", "should check into mental hospitals immediately" show you to be nothing more than an insecure Right wingnut dingbat.
BTW, are you ever going to have the backbone to post PROOF POSITIVE about your allegation on your knowing the costs of John Edwards suits?
Didn't think so.
Posted by: BC | September 13, 2007 4:03 PM
Are the new Osama bin Laden video tapes evidence that he was the mastermind behind 9/11? Yes or No Vote at http://www.pollicious.com
Posted by: JengoPop | September 13, 2007 4:34 PM
Oh Suits BC, I've already done that about Edwards and suits, but apparently Men's Vogue is not good enough for you. You really need to stop embarrassing yourself and your obsession with suits for Edwards and Bush. I know you purchase yours at the Salvation Army, but get real!
In addition, Dumb Dumb BC, the Soviets were out of Afghanistan more than 15 years ago. Anyway, I suppose you support the Soviet's invasion of Afghanistan? And didn't our support of the Afghans against the Soviets actually begin during the reign of the TRUE WORLD'S WORST PRESIDENT, PEANUTBRAIN CARTER? (sorry, Roger, had to do it with the CAPS)
Yes, the U.S. did help the Afghans against the Soviets. Bin Laden is not an Afghan, he was just there fighting against the Soviets, so I guess you could say we were guilty by association.
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 5:56 PM
People really need to WAKE UP!!. Once again the U.S. government rolls out another Bin Laden video to try and bolster it's support for it's continued genocide in Iraq and Afganistan. If they really want to get the bad guy,s it's Pakistan that should be under attack.
This is just more propaganda but the average American is just too dumb to see this!
Posted by: PT | September 13, 2007 6:43 PM
Ol' Osama is using "Just for Men" and scoring just like Keith Hernandez
Posted by: Terry | September 13, 2007 7:03 PM
Hey Bill R,
Here are a couple rare videos of Pvt. Bruce Pyle when he was in the Marines.
Dig the awesome M14.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX5EGlLW5Dg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f8uJNmjFK8
Posted by: C.Morris | September 13, 2007 9:20 PM
Posted by: John D | September 13, 2007 5:56 PM
"Oh Suits BC, I've already done that about Edwards and suits, but apparently Men's Vogue is not good enough for you."
-- NO YOU HAVEN'T! EITHER POST A LINK THAT OFFERS PROOF POSITIVE THAT EDWARDS PAYS AS MUCH FOR HIS SUITS AS BUSH DOES, OR ADMIT THAT YOUR LITTLE "FACT" IS JUST YOU OPINION! The Men's Vogue magazine story you linked to provides NOTHING to substantiate you allegation - pretty poor research for a so-called "journalist".
"Anyway, I suppose you support the Soviet's invasion of Afghanistan?"
-- No I never did; why should I? Unlike you, I've never feared the boogie man called "Communism". If Russia wanted to invade a country that America barely knew existed, then that was their screw-up.
"Yes, the U.S. did help the Afghans against the Soviets. Bin Laden is not an Afghan, he was just there fighting against the Soviets, so I guess you could say we were guilty by association."
-- You got that right (for once).
Posted by: BC | September 15, 2007 2:34 PM
The videos are so incredibely fake. I wonder why the media doesn't talk about the freeze frames and so forth. Bin Laden probably died years ago.
Posted by: François Tardy | September 20, 2007 1:10 PM