One Man's Evolving View of Democracy…
Any thoughts on the discrepancies in Osama bin Laden's views on the vote?
From November, 2002:
You may then dispute that all the above does not justify aggression against civilians, for crimes they did not commit and offenses in which they did not partake:
This argument contradicts your continuous repetition that America is the land of freedom, and its leaders in this world. Therefore, the American people are the ones who choose their government by way of their own free will; a choice which stems from their agreement to its policies. Thus the American people have chosen, consented to, and affirmed their support for the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, the occupation and usurpation of their land, and its continuous killing, torture, punishment and expulsion of the Palestinians. The American people have the ability and choice to refuse the policies of their Government and even to change it if they want.
From yesterday's address:
We didn't find difficulty dealing with Bush and his administration due to the similarity of his regime and the regims in our countries. Whish (sic) half of them are ruled by military and the other half by sons of kings and presidents and our experience with them is long. Both parties are arrogant and stubborn and the greediness and taking money without right and that similarity appeared during the visits of Bush to the region while people from our side were impressed by the US and hoped that these visits would influence our countries. Here he is being influenced by these regimes, Royal and military. And was feeling jealous they were staying for decades in power stealing the nations finances without anybody overseeing them. So he transferred the oppression of freedom and tyranny to his son and they call it th e Patriot Law to fight terrorism. He was bright in putting his sons as governors in states and he didn't forget to transfer his experience from the rulers of our region to Florida to falsify elections to benefit from it in critical times.
Maybe it's just standard election-season waffling, but it seems to show a pretty stark difference in his characterization. As villains go, I prefer the old down-with-freedom Osama to the new taunting-us-directly Osama.