The “Bin Laden Effect”
Written by Gary on January 19th, 2006The reappearance of Osama Bin Laden and his claims of impending attacks against our homeland should remind America that the terrorist threat is still dangerously real. President Bush has been trying to convince the nation of this unpleasant truth over the past few months. It looks like Bin Laden - as he did preceding the 2004 election - may have just done wonders for Bush’s communication strategy.
In these latest recordings, a voice that is allegedly Bin Laden’s proclaims that “It’s only a matter of time [referring to attacks]. They are in the planning stages, and you will see them in the heart of your land as soon as the planning is completed.” There is still some doubt as to the authenticity of the tapes. This could just be an instance of Bin Laden searching for some relevancy, as many believe he has been rendered ineffective and irrelevant in the war on terror. Still, if we are to draw any positive conclusions from this story, Bin Laden’s thrust back into the international spotlight should help strenghten our nation’s wavering resolve in the war on terror. This is a serious miscalculation on Bin Laden’s part (among others).
In the wake of this fairly graphic and explicit Bin Laden tape, I am anxious to see if the Democrats continue their severe criticism of President Bush’s authorization of warrantless wiretaps of communications between known Al-Qaeda operatives in the United States and their cohorts abroad. Every time Bin Laden surfaces in American politics, our people rally around the Republican Party, and recognize - as they always do - that the Democrats are not capable of ensuring national security. Bin Laden’s mere presence frames American political debate in terms of national security, which provides an inherent advantage for Republicans. We saw this happen preceding the pivotal mid-term elections of 2002, and especially before the 2004 Presidential election. Recall that Bin-Laden appeared on tape nearly a week before the vote. It had the effect of focusing the American people on national security and terrorism. This event forced the American people to view the election in terms of national security, a reality that helped Bush and many Senate Republicans win great victories.
Until we capture or kill this fanatic, Bin Laden is useful in focusing our country on the supremely important issue of national security. His political miscalculations, one of which we saw today, only reinforce public support for President Bush. Let’s just call it the “Bin Laden Effect.”
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PM
This tape just proves how important it is that we stay the course in Iraq and not allow it to be turned into a simple training ground for terrorists. Also, the truce thing is weird. Bin Laden’s main issue with the US, as stated in his earlier declarations of jihad, is the influence we have on Muslim countries. This extends beyond the military and encompasses cultural and political. So the final truce statement is weird.
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PM
“Every time Bin Laden surfaces in American politics, the American people rally around the Republican Party, and recognize - as they always do - that the Democrats are not capable of ensuring national security.”
Wow…thats kinduv an overgeneralization, don’t you think?
I guess my first reaction was, “Here he goes again.”
I didn’t start thinking, “Oh please, Mr. Bush, save me from the guy with the funny beard!”
I don’t rely on politicians for much of anything. Screw ‘em. Republican or Democrat.
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PM
Yeah, this message to me sounds like “we’re losing, so now lets try a fake truce.” Fact is this, we’ve captured or killed a large number of al queda’s top operatives….they are and will continue to be on the run. Much like Hitler escaping many murder attempts, the terrorists luck will one day finally run out. This truce thing is bogus….they offered the same thing to Europe, look what happened.
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PM
The “truce” is not even worth entertaining in a serious discussion. We are not stopping until Bin Laden and his cohorts are totally destroyed.
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PM
The truce is totally fake…Once again, until all forms of Western influence are out of muslim countries, Bin Laden won’t stop. This isn’t about Iraq or even our military bases. Furthermore, no politician can necessarily save us from terrorism. But, Gary has a point. The Democrats act like this isn’t a real war or that Bush has exaggerated the threat. Bin Laden’s own words remind us of the real danger.
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PM
I’m not a choad smoking liberal, but I have to say that it again is a bit exagerrated to say that the Democrats act like this isn’t a real war, or that the threat is exagerrated. This may be your perception, but I doubt that you can really name a quote.
The gray area I guess is over Iraq. The democrats debate Iraq wasnt a threat, and I guess we could debate but I find debate very boring.
I think everybody, including you Jane, have to stop acting like their word is gospel. If your words were so valuable, wouldnt you have gotten beyond blogs by now?
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PM
I’ve never claimed that my word is “gospel.” I am totally open to debate - unlike you.
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AM
This tape makes me wonder, for the ump-teenth time: When the hell are we going to send troops into Pakistan to get this guy? It is borderline crimminal the way we are prosecuting this war in Afghanistan.
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PM
invading a sovereign nation that has nuclear weopons may not be the best idea mike.
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PM
I’m not the biggest fan of Pakistan. And I certainly don’t think their population is some how pro-US. However, we do have some diplomatic relations with them and they are “helping” us track terrorists. They have also taken steps to making peace with India which indicates the government’s opposition to terrorism.
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PM
You can blame former Secretary of State Colin Powell for the fact that American troops are not allowed in Pakistan. Part of the agreement between Powell and Musharraff - as a condition for Pakistan’s logistical and military cooperation for the 2001 invasion - was that the United States respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and not place American troops in that country. It is all recounted in Bob Woodward’s book, “Bush At War.”
Pakistan has been very effective in the war on terror, capturing nearly 1,000 Al-Qaeda operatives in its land and in the Waziristan region.
There is also some evidence that American troops have conducted operations in the Waziristan region. Still, this is some of the most rugged country on earth. CIA Predator drones might be the best tool for searching this area.
However, I agree that American troops in the area would certainly enhance our ability to find Bin Laden.