Osama bin Laden on the Move Again?

Just in case you weren't hyped up enough about world events, now comes a report out of Australia telling us that Osama bin Laden and his forces are planning a new spectacular attack on the United States. (This is the first time I have seen this source and have no opinion on if it is reliable.)

The report says: "OSAMA bin Laden is planning an attack against the United States that will "outdo by far" September 11, an Arab newspaper in London has reported."

But, then, maybe this is part of an information operation to overcome al Qaida on the election of Senator Obama on Tuesdays. Writing in the Guardian, terrorism expert Amil Kahn says: "The real game-changer here is that Obama challenges the higher moral ground al-Qaida assumes it commands when talking to its supporters."

But, in the end, it isn't about us. As Amil Kahn says: "It's often overlooked that al-Qaida promises a fairer society. If its support is flagging, it's because ordinary people have looked at its methods and wondered what sort of state it would run. But the calls for an end to corruption, nepotism and restoration of pride, dignity and self-determination still resound just as they have for more than 100 years through other ideologies."

The part of the report that talks to information reveal by the UK's Telegraph actually is in Monday's edition, HERE. The sub-headline is "Secret enclaves of al-Qaeda extremists based in London, Birmingham and Luton are planning mass-casualty attacks in Britain, according to a leaked Government intelligence report." I may be wrong here, but I would judge the Telegraph to be a paper read by the Tory population.

The reporting seems pretty straight forward. On the other hand, we have had such reports before. If the terrorists wish to lull us into complacency, they need only threaten an attack and then not do anything and repeat this a number of times.

The key lesson here is that everyone needs to be vigilant and cooperative with police and TSA officials. You don't have to give a DNA sample to be cooperative. Being efficient and humble in the airport screening line is a big help. Noting bags and packages that are not associated with someone can be a big help. Usually it will be lost items and you will be helping people regaining what they have lost.

We have to remember that this is, in essence, "the long war," and we will have to take precautions for a long time. But, this kind of political activity (terrorism) moves in cycles and will eventually die down. The actions of our Government and our own actions can help tamp it down. And, we need to keep in mind that not everyone with a grievance is a person with a legitimate grievance.

Regards -- Cliff