O. Bin Laden Rings Bell, American Dogs Bark For Dinner

It would be wise to read the "Intelligence response" & "Public response" to Bin laden's (successful) 2004 attempt to play the American electorate like a violin, from Wikipedia. Remember, this is the 2004 pre-election video.

Intelligence response:
Ron Suskind noted that the CIA analysis of the video led them to the consensus view that the tape was designed strategically to help President Bush win reelection in 2004. Deputy CIA director John E. McLaughlin noted at one meeting, "Bin Laden certainly did a nice favor today for the President." Suskind quoted Jami Miscik, CIA deputy associate director for intelligence and Alan Premel former DCI Task Force supervisor, as saying "Certainly, he would want Bush to keep doing what he’s doing for a few more years." (Robert Parry, CIA:
Osama Helped Bush in '04, Consortiumnews.com, July 4, 2006)

Public response:
The 2004 tape boosted the popularity of American
President George W. Bush. President Bush opened up a six-point lead over his opponent Senator John Kerry in
the first opinion poll to include sampling taken after the videotape was broadcast. (Philip Sherwell, Bush takes a
six-point lead after new bin Laden tape, The Daily
Telegraph, 01/11/2004)

In today's exciting episode Bin Laden parrots some vaguely left-wing talking points & gets the right-wing's panties in a bunch. He also appeals to the "submit to religion & don't pay taxes" side of the proverbial aisle, as quoted by ABC News:

"To conclude," bin Laden says, "I invite you to embrace Islam." He goes on to say: "There are no taxes in Islam, but rather there is a limited Zakaat [alms] totaling 2.5 percent."

Hindrocket of Powerline's panties are crawling up his hinder:

It has never been plausible to suggest that the war in Iraq is anything other than fundamental to our conflict with al Qaeda and related groups; after this video, any such suggestion is impossible.

You know it, dimbulb. Why, when Bin Laden mouths Bush's lines, we know how important it must be to stay in Iraq, so the rest of the Muhammadan world can see how we're not trying to grab all their oil in some giant crusade.

Couple of interesting notes: The suggestion to convert to Islam is a Qu'ranic requirement; you are given a chance to convert before they come after you. And the beard color? Hair dye is an Islamic no-no, except when getting ready to commit some jihad, when it's thought to have a psychological effect.

Transcript of Bin Laden's latest attempt at evangelical Muhammadism here.

CNN gives us footage of the intro. Bin Laden's right, the most powerful nation on earth can't do shit to defend itself, because it's using a hammer to try to kill a fly, & all it's accomplishing is wrecking the living room. Anyone remember the Soviet Union? One of the reasons it's now the "former Soviet Union" is that it bankrupted itself & lost whatever confidence its people had in it trying to beat Bin Laden in Afghanistan. Now we're bogged down in Afghanistan & Iraq, and pouring billions into the money pit, as well as the lives, limbs, eyeballs & brains of American service people & contractors & many more Iraqis.

Thanks to Sadly, No! commenters bpower (for the Wikipedia link) paul (for the title idea) & John O for the violin reference. Actually, just click the S,N! link. The commentariat says all that needs to be said.