Bin Laden's Alive and Well and making new videos

[tw]

Originally Posted by bluesdave

Even though Bin Laden has criticised both Bush and Kerry, the video has to help Bush.

Everyone will see exactly what they want to see in that video tape. Long before anyone can judge the purpose of or the effects from that tape, one must first ask what was bin Laden's purpose. It is speculated (and only speculated) that bin Laden is attuned to American domestic attitudes and news. I believe Ted Koppel said it best. Trying to second guess the tape is a fool's game. I have yet to see anyone view the tape, effectively, from bin Laden's perspective. Without that perspective, then we cannot even begin to guess its purpose or its effect.

What in that tape has relevance? Bin Laden is still alive, apparantly quite healthy, and still not being sought by George Jr. George Jr instead tried to blame Saddam even on 13 September 2004. One could then say this tape mocks George Jr. That does not even suggest the tape helps or hurts George Jr. Again, everyone will only see in this tape what they want to see.