On the Bin Laden video, one of the things that stood out the most, to me, was not one of the obvious things.

It was said that after the plane hit the Pentagon, "(the Americans) were terrified it was a coup." Do they really believe that? Do they think that "America will 'fall down'" because we are so unstable? I would be amazed if any rational America had this thought cross their mind.

We may have underestimated the terrorists, but it appears they also underestimate US. I think their mistake is the greater of the two.

You're right about that - bin laden is a terrible reader of people. When the first plane hit, the initial reaction in our area was %*%^ stupid airlines &(*&, trying to cut corners again, then when the next ones hit, it became pretty clear we were under attack. At that point, as events developed, what we felt horror for the people at ground zero and rage at whomever was doing this. We felt a strong sympathy for the folks in NY and the Pentagon and felt we had to do something to help. I couldn't help but think of the children now without their parents. But above it all, we've felt a cold, unrelenting rage that has not gone away.

You gotta though wonder what exactly that tape was even made for, who did they want to see it? I'm not so sure they are reading Americans, more like trying to brag, and make it sound like America thought this, or America thought that, just to make it look like we are all scared and confused, thereby making them look triumphant, or at least appear that way to whoever they wanted to see that video.

Made me so MAD seeing that video. Can't remember the other guys name sitting with Osama, but his continuous smirk and utter joy (probably was stoned) about the whole thing made me want to disintegrate that smirk right off of his face!

The ideas I've heard?

1.) The tape was made to help the Shaik (sp?), seen with Osama, raise money at home, much like the other tape found was for use in recruitment.

2.) It was made for posterity. To show Osama's greatness and the worthiness of his cause.

3.) Both 1 & 2

4.) This was to be Osama's admission (read as claim to fame). Claiming he did it for the greater good and justifying the actions, before he is caught or captured, and left behind to inspire others.

5.) Produced by Dreamworks Studios. The inaudible sections and bad audio used to add authenticity.

I personally believe in all, but #5. If #5 were true, it would have already grossed $200 million. :D

My opinion:

It was just a home video that was forgotten as events unfolded. Whoever leaked to the press that the US government had it should be tossed out on their rear.

I see it as a pure propaganda stunt. Just another way for bin Laden to keep the brainwashed fanatics that he calls an army chomping at the bit to die for their beliefs.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
On the Bin Laden video, one of the things that stood out the most, to me, was not one of the obvious things.

It was said that after the plane hit the Pentagon, "(the Americans) were terrified it was a coup." Do they really believe that? Do they think that "America will 'fall down'" because we are so unstable? I would be amazed if any rational America had this thought cross their mind.

We may have underestimated the terrorists, but it appears they also underestimate US. I think their mistake is the greater of the two.<hr></blockquote>

The idea of disabling and demoralizing a nation by destroying it's capitol isn't that far fetched. I consider myself a "rational American" and do believe that if every inhabitant of our national capitol was slaughtered, then it would disable our war making ablitities for some time. I'm not that egocentric to believe that we are invulnerable.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Hiram Sedai:


The idea of disabling and demoralizing a nation by destroying it's capitol isn't that far fetched. I consider myself a "rational American" and do believe that if every inhabitant of our national capitol was slaughtered, then it would disable our war making ablitities for some time. I'm not that egocentric to believe that we are invulnerable.<hr></blockquote>
Hiram Sedai,
I agree that we are not invulnerable. One day the U.S.A. will cease to exist, Nations rise and fall that is the way of the world. The U.S.A. will not fall to foriegn invaders we will fall from within. The only thing Usama and his band of low-life gully dirts did was cause us to band together for at least one more generation probibaly several more. Setting back the "Crush the evil American Capitalist Pigs" cause 25+ years.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by John D Harris:

The only thing Usama and his band of low-life gully dirts did was cause us to band together for at least one more generation probibaly several more. Setting back the "Crush the evil American Capitalist Pigs" cause 25+ years.<hr></blockquote>
(Usama? I've only read that @cia.gov. I can't really understand why Usama, why not Osama.)
25+ years?Isn't that way too much? In my opinion, more and more fanatics would take the anti-terrorism thing as a reason to stop hesitating and take up arms. And... The cause you said will exist in my opinion until the cause of hatred against the USA is recognized and dealt with. The set-backwill appear, though, because people in the american airline-industry have recognized that they need drastic improvements.But 25 yeasrs would be too much... Don't forget that ailine security is retrospective... It's always the terrorists that come up with a new, differetnt type of threat.

Marukusu,
The reason I have said 25+ years is because we the citizens of the U.S.A. have closed ranks and are banded together against a common enemy. The loyalty, trust, freindships, ties or whatever that are formed during times like these are not easily abandoned by those that formed the ties to each other. Our childern or our childern's childern may forget the ties to each other. Each new attack from outside forces causes us to come closer and become stronger. I have seen groups of people that pre 11 Sept., 2001 wouldn't have pissed on each other if the other was on fire. Come together, their differance are a source of jokes and strength, what matters is that they are all "Americans".That is basic "American Psycology" (SP?) Leave us alone and we will come apart, attack us and we become the "Sleeping Giant,that has awoken and been filled with terrible resolve"