Tapes suggest bin Laden ill or dead

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/6804394.htm

<snip>
After examining new video and audio tapes of Osama bin Laden that were broadcast last week, U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded that the fugitive al-Qaida leader is probably ill or injured and could be incapacitated or even dead.

Three administration officials, all speaking on the condition of anonymity because intelligence matters are classified, said the videotape, which showed bin Laden hiking in the mountains, could have been made up to two years ago and that an audio track of bin Laden speaking was recorded separately, also some time ago, and overlaid on the video. The only recent recording was a second audio track, recorded by bin Laden's top lieutenant, Ayman al Zawahri.

The two audio tracks, one of bin Laden and one of Zawahri, were recorded in different locations and are of very different technical quality, said one intelligence official, suggesting that the two top al-Qaida leaders are no longer together after years of being virtually inseparable.

The officials all cautioned that it's impossible to draw any firm conclusions from the tapes, but they said the new material has strengthened the belief that bin Laden is ailing and that Zawahri may now be running al-Qaida or preparing to succeed a weakened bin Laden.

<snip>

[Maple]

1. What a surprise

They've said that about all his tapes.

[saigon68]

2. He's alive alright

He lives in Nashville in the suburbs with Elvis, Roy Orbison and Judge Crater.

[Solly Mack]

3. What date is this again? All the OBL "news" seems to run together...

same old, same old....

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Well, if I had to spend days at a time on TV

marching down the same rocky hillside again and again, I'd most likely be ill or dead too.

:shrug:

[oneighty]

5. Please do not

die Mr. Bin..You are far too important to Bush*.

180

[snippy]

9. Whistle Ass does need terrorists.

[mhr]

6. The Spin is More Subtle

By announcing that Bin Laden has quietly died in the mountains of Afghanistan, the Bush Administration can go about their next war with less criticism.

In other words, it is best for them if Bin Laden fades into the sunset with little or no fanfare.

[Emboldened Chimp]

7. He's dead, he's alive

he's hiding in a cave, we've got him surrounded, he's on dialysis--

Cripes, just pick one and stick with it!

[otohara]

8. Like We Believe Anything US Intelligence Says

get real!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. It's as if they are saying, "The more we hear from OBL, the more we

believe he's dead.

I have NEVER seen crap like this. You would think they'd learn to keep their mouths shut about things they don't KNOW after the WMD never showed.