Representative Press Blog

Bin Laden's latest message once again clearly explains that al-Qeada is not attacking America because "they hate freedom":

"People of America this talk of mine is for you and concerns the ideal way to prevent another Manhattan and deals with the war and its causes and results. Before I begin, I say to you that security is an indispensable pillar of human life and that free men do not forfeit their security contrary to Bush's claim that we hate freedom. If so, then let him explain to us why we didn't strike -- for example -- Sweden. And we know that freedom haters don't possess defiant spirits like those of the 19 [The 19 men who hijacked the 4 planes on 9/11] . May Allah have mercy upon them."

Bin Laden's latest message once again calls for Americans to look at the cause:

"No we fight you because we are free men who don't sleep under oppression. We want to restore freedom to our Nation and just as you lay waste to our Nation, so shall we lay waste to yours. No one except a dumb thief plays with the security of others and then makes himself believe he will be secure whereas thinking people when disaster strikes make it their priority to look for its causes in order to prevent it happening again."

Bin Laden once again says that Bush is not telling the truth to the public about why al-Qeada fights:

"But I am amazed at you even though we are in the 4th year after the events of Sept 11th. Bush is still engaged in distortion, deception and hiding from you the real causes."

Bin Laden explains when the idea of hitting the Twin Towers came to him:

"after it became unbearable and we witnessed the oppression and tyranny of the American Israeli coalition against our people in Palestine and Lebanon it came to my mind."

Full English transcript of Usama bin Ladin's speech in a videotape sent to Aljazeera As published by Aljazeera, Monday 01 November 2004

Google search: Transcript: Translation of Bin Laden's Video-Taped Message

Comment about bin Laden: "... the issues he raised doubtless have appeal to great masses of suffering people in the world.  That has nothing to do with trusting him.  Rather, with understanding his appeal, something entirely different, and a crucial difference for those who have a serious interested in reducing the threat of terror in the world, which is no joke." - Noam Chomsky Posted: Nov. 9, 2004

People who don't share the view that US foreign policies are just fine will should call for a different course of action. Chomsky says we should "call for police action to apprehend criminals and attention to the legitimate grievances that lie behind the opposition to US policies, rather than helping the terrorist vanguard to mobilize their potential constituency by our violence and our pursuit of the policies that are violating their legitimate rights." Posted: Oct. 27, 2004

"The Western regimes and the government of the US bear the blame for what might happen. If their people do not wish to be harmed inside their very own countries, they should seek to elect governments that are truly representative of them and that can protect their interests."- bin Laden, May 1998

What are you going to argue, that we DON’T elect leaders that are truly representative of us just to spite bin Laden?
This is a life and death isssue, arguing that we should not do the right thing just because bin Laden would like it is absurd.

People who are serious about reducing the threat of terrorism will take an honest look at US foreign polices. Where immoral and unjust policies are identified decent people will demand that the policies be ended. Logical people will demand these policies be ended because doing so will dramatically reduce the threat we are facing because these policies are clearly motivating some people to acts of terrorism or violence.

and by the way, why the hell should we give up an ounce of freedom just because special interests demand that the US policies remain unchanged? Why should taxpayers fork over billions of dollars to protect against something that we would not have to if it was not for these damn policies?
Don't act like we are not reacting to bin Laden. We are spending billions because of him and the people that insist on the specific foreign policies. Why should we do that? why are you OK with that? Why are you OK with the enormous expense and the frustrating burdens placed on us because of all this? Why are these policies worth risking our lives and spending a fortune? So Israel can continue being racist? So that we can continue propping up oppressive regimes in the quest to control the oil for the benefit of particular elites?
Why are these policies worth more than our lives? Who is making this decision? The people lying to us about why we are in harm's way?