Not to be another conspiracy theorist but anyone who has experience behind the scenes of orchestrated electoral campaigns understands that in this cynical, opportunistic and secretive world absolutely all options are in play on the road to victory. See the Watergate hotel for reference.
It just seems too absurd that the wealth of technical, financial and human resources being devoted to his capture keep coming up empty handed. How long do you think you could elude this armada without limits? How many of your friends would turn you over to authorities anonymously for $25 million?
So here's the rub. One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter.
Ask yourself this question: If you were a member of one of the richest families in the world who could live any life you choose without concern for cost, with access to the best of the best at all times, for what would you give it all up? Honestly? Do you have enough conviction in any philosophy to eat simply when you can eat gourmet, to live in caves when you can live in mansions, and to risk your life over and over again on behalf of others and philosophical conviction?
It's time to admit that if Bin Laden is crazy he is crazy like a fox. He certainly holds a crazed vitriol hatred, primarily aimed at Israel and America, fueled by anti-semitism, radical interpretation of The Koran and years of raw experience in one of the world's most gruesome war conflicts. But among all those he confronts on the battleground Bin Laden is infamous for leading by example, his deeds passed on by his followers, quietly hypnotized by stories of his selfless bravery and valor in Afghan battles, and if they are lucky, by his level gaze and steady voice in rare personal appearances. That's not something we hear much about, Bin Laden the war hero, shot countless times and a survivor of poisoned gas attacks. And crazy doesn't keep you hidden from the man. If values won the US election for George Bush than surely we can recognize the same qualities in his arch-enemy and followers. Whether you agree with these values is irrelevant, only that you respect their existence, for like Bush, he sticks to his guns without compromise, and he pursues his enemies relentlessly.
For better insight into the character and convictions of the world's most wanted man turn off the endless senseless, sensationalism and uninformed chatter of network TV and start with these three stories:
ABC reporter John Miller interviews Bin Laden personally in 1998
How Bin Laden got away in the Afghan hills at Tora Bora
PBS Biography from anonymous source
Labels: politics
