By NADIA ABOU EL-MAJD, Associated Press Writer
3 minutes ago
CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri said in a videotape aired Monday that President Bush was a "butcher" and a "failure" because of a deadly U.S. airstrike in Pakistan targeting the bin Laden deputy.
Al-Zawahri, shown in the video wearing white robes and a white turban, said a Jan. 13 airstrike in the eastern village of Damadola killed "innocents," and he said the United States had ignored an offer from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden for a truce.
"Butcher of Washington, you are not only defeated and a liar, but also a failure. You are a curse on your own nation," he said, referring to Bush. "Bush, do you know where I am? I am among the Muslim masses."
The airstrike hit a building in Damadola, killing four al-Qaida leaders. Thirteen villagers also were killed in the strike, angering many Pakistanis.
The video was Zawahri's first appearance since the airstrike.
"My second message is to the American people, who are drowning in illusions. I tell you that Bush and his gang are shedding your blood and wasting your money in frustrated adventures," he said, speaking in a forceful and angry voice.
"The lion of Islam, Sheik Osama bin Laden, may God protect him, offered you a decent exit from your dilemma. But your leaders, who are keen to accumulate wealth, insist on throwing you in battles and killing your souls in Iraq and Afghanistan and — God willing — on your own land."
The video came in the wake of a Jan. 19 audiotape by bin Laden in which he warned that al-Qaida is preparing attacks in the United States but offered a truce "with fair conditions" to build Iraq and Afghanistan.
The tape — aired on Al-Jazeera — was the first message from bin Laden in more than a year.
We have to be constantly reminded that our lives are in constant danger....and we remember this when driving in fast highway traffic full of lousy drivers who cut us off and nearly crash us into medians.
I don't think it should be censored, we don't want to be one of those countries. But I hope people really don't get scared when this guy spouts off his crap.
You should hear what folks are saying here about this story....it's hilarious....no worries...this is like school children saying my mommy is bigger than your daddy...your daddy is a loser and a butcher. Wow, that really is some scary shiiiiit!
I would not be concerned about a tape it's only propaganda and propaganda can't kill you but those who react to that propaganda can kill you. Guess what I am saying is the tape won't kill you but the reaction to it might.
Now I gotta worry about the big scared man afraid of the mouthy boogey man in my backyard?
How silly.
What is that saying was it Winston Churchill, The only thing to fear is fear itself.
What happened to fearless men and women who took on the frontier with lions and tigers and bears Oh MY!! with some indigenous folk trying to stay alive from the cavalry!!!
NOw I'm not saying be afraid I am just saying that there is the occasional nutcase out there that would see this tape as some sort of green light to launch attacks on the US. It is alos worth remembering that this guy is close to Bin Laden and Bin Laden recently threatend the US with huge attacks, now what if this is a coded tape? it would not be the first time that coded tapes have been used to order attacks.
All I am saying is that there is the chance that somebody somewhere is waiting for that message or that tape. Think about releasing a tape under a month after Bin Laden is not something AL Queda normally I could be wrong and maybe OBL is getting senile in his old age ad forget to add these points on the origianl tape.
I must say that calling Bush a butcher may be sginificant consider what is going on in Iraq right now.
You are right all of this is hypothetical BUT I am willing to bet that you taek precautions in life.
If a tidal wave, earthquake struck I am sure you would run and try to get some where safe right? you would not just stand there and die?
You don't walk over the intersection with your eyes closed do you? I assume you look both ways etc?
I assume that is somebody looked like they might attack you at the ATM or any other place for that matter you would prepare for the attack and try to defend yourself right?
So being prepared for an attack that may or may not happen is the same.
If we use your system why have an army because we may never go to war, why take out helth insurance, car insurance, why go to work after all you could get hit by by a car crossing the intersection with your hands over eys, then mugged at the ATM ( need money cos you have no helath insurance) and then die in an earthqauke on the way home. sh!t may or may not happen but being ready keeps you alive ( believe me I know )
"Being ready" as you call it = paranoia in my mind.
Look, when my number is up, it is up.
Of course, I am going to not be stupid and kill myself by walking into an intersection where cars are crossing, am going to fight to survive. But am I going to worry about it beforehand? NO! I take one day, one minute at a time.
But what I realize is....ultimately, my mortality is NOT in my hands....it is OUT of my control.
If it were in my control or any other human beings...I would have been dead probably 50 times already in my life. I have faced death many more times than I want to even discuss....and the fact of the matter is....
my life isn't in the hands of the military, the president, my friends, my enemies or even myself.
And for that I am grateful
And because of that I do not fear
01-30-2006 06:22 PM
