Let me start this thread by first apologizing to anyone who thought that my tossed out fact that Bin Laden supports Kerry was offensive, rude, uncalled inappropriate.

I do feel that Bin Laden supports a Kerry victory. THIS BY NO MEANS means that I believe Kerry supports Bin Laden or terrorism, nor do I think that Kerry would take terrorism lightly.

Further analysis Laden's message points to Bin Laden attacking states that support Bush:


From this we can draw that Bin Laden may very will attack any state that votes for Bush, and feel that any state that votes for Kerry is, like Kerry, willing to do everything in their power to establish peace before a call to war.

With this in mind, and the fact that this debate will be focused on this analysis of the tape the following questions will apply:

1. Is this last minute analysis of Bin Laden message to America accurate?

2. Can America protect its red states?

and with all election based debate:
3. Will this last minute analysis have an effect on the election?




Edited to clarify debate questions. - Jaime

To help with the debate here is the full transcript:
Bin Ladin begins with claims that Bush has not told us the truth, which also happens to be the theme of the DNC. Americans for Truth. Texans for Truth. That is what this election is about: truth.

Here we have Bin Ladin claiming that Bush is not about truth. And since he is not about truth, Bin Ladin must take it upon himself to alert the American people to the truth. Those states which vote for Bush will be attacked. Can we protect our nation form Bin Ladin's means of telling us the truth?

1. Is this last minute analysis of Bin Laden message to America accurate?

I heard about this Saterday so it is acurate so far as I can see

2. Can America protect its red states?

There is no way to be right 100% of the time, I however think this is an impotent threat.




3. Will this last minute analysis have an effect on the election?

Bin Laden may hope so, but I would have to say no.

1. Is this last minute analysis of Bin Laden message to America accurate?

I don't think bin Ladens "message" was specific at all. In fact, there was a segment on one of the news shows last night questioning the translated meaning of the word "state." The phrase "nation state" has been in use for years--meaning a sovereign nation.

2. Can America protect its red states?

I don't think "red" states have been specifically targeted. It sounds as if Republicans might be a bit paranoid.

3. Will this last minute analysis have an effect on the election?

No! Were too polarized and there are too few undecideds. This story will probably turn out to be a neutral.

Is this last minute analysis of Bin Laden message to America accurate?


The translation is accurate according to the middle east media research institute. Those who vote for Bush will become a target. UBL doesnt like Bush no matter what you think about him he did devastate the Taliban and Al-Qaida's network. Billions have been frozen, tens of thousands of supporters dead, etc.....

No attack's yet and the election is underway. That tells you something. We have attacked his network with a full scale assualt, im sure he wants payback but all he can do is release a tape. Remember all the people that where arrested a few months back? Two guys where arrested here in Albany, NY buying stinger missiles.

Why do you think he used the same Democratic talking points? The same stuff that Kerry uses against Bush. To get you to vote for Kerry.



http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SA1404

Can America protect its red states?

There's something called Taqiyya that Bin Laden live's by. It means that it is not a sin to lie to the "infidels" so i'd wager he's bluffing. He will attack the state(s) that he believe's will do the most damage.

Will this last minute analysis have an effect on the election?

No

Is this last minute analysis of Bin Laden message to America accurate?

I can't really attest to the accuracy of the analysis, but it seems to be legitimate. However, I think that what Bin Laden specifically said is mostly irrelevant.

Can America protect its red states?

I think that we ought to take what Bin Laden said with a grain of salt. It's impossible to know to what extent he is telling the truth (as someone said he has no problem lying to "infidels") versus trying to manipulate people. He could very well be trying to get the U.S. to focus greater homeland security in Republican states, making it that much easier for him to strike in a Democratic state. I think we still need to focus on protecting the entire country equally, because any disproportion in our national protection will most likely be exploited by the terrorists. I don't think they honestly care for one minute whether an American is Democratic or Republican, or what city they live in. Just like we stereotype all "Middle Easterners," I'm confident that they love to stereotype all "Americans." I think that if they want to hurt Americans, it doesn't matter to them where they hurt us, as long as they hurt us as severely as possible.

Will this last minute analysis have an effect on the election?

I don't think that it should, nor that it will, especially considering that it is a report coming out of a Middle Eastern organization. Most of the people who can't make up their minds don't pay attention to U.S. news sources, let alone news coming out of foreign countries. Unless it is being hugely popularized, which is pointless so late in the election anyway.

First of all Bin Laden did not support Kerry any more than he supported Bush. He said that America was not safe no matter who won the election. I think we should be concentrating on when we will be attacked again not if Bin Laden supports a particular candidate. I don't think that his opinion had anything to do with the election.