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January 20, 2006

Uh...Thanks For The Blurb

Comments turned off until I figure out how best to deflect the spam

I'm a longtime admirer of author William Blum. For those who don't know, he's the author of Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II, one of the best books ever written about American foreign policy.

He's also written a follow up to Killing Hope, called Rogue State. So I imagine he was a bit surprised to read this section of bin Laden's latest tape:

If you (Americans) are sincere in your desire for peace and security, we have answered you. And if Bush decides to carry on with his lies and oppression, then it would be useful for you to read the book Rogue State, which states in its introduction: "If I were president, I would stop the attacks on the United States: First I would give an apology to all the widows and orphans and those who were tortured. Then I would announce that American interference in the nations of the world has ended once and for all."

That would make a nice blurb for the next edition, wouldn't it?

"It would be useful for you to read the book Rogue State"
—Osama bin Laden, cartoonish supervillain

Of course, what this really shows is right-wing religious fundamentalists love to quote criticism of right-wing religious fundamentalism in other countries.

So bin Laden quotes secular, progressive Americans to justify blowing us up. And our homegrown flock of poop-throwing cretins shrieks about how the moonbats agree with the terrorists!!!!

Then Bush quotes secular, progressive Muslims to justify blowing up their countries. And their poop-throwing cretins shriek about how the moonbats agree with the terrorists!!!!

It really works out well for everyone concerned, except of course for all the people who're slaughtered.

Posted at January 20, 2006 12:39 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Jon:
Whilst not wishing to muss my lovely coif with bits of tinfoil, I have to say that this new tactic of having Osama quote Western dissidents and opposition talking points in his cavernous bloviations -- which seem to appear with uncanny timing to the political benefit of Mr. Bush -- makes me consider taking the notion that said bloviations are the free, unfettered, undoctored expressions of the renegade dastard with a rather large dose of salt.

Just saying.

Posted by: Chris Floyd at January 20, 2006 05:53 AM

It's important to stop calling those on the "religious right"--christians. They're not. They're theofascists who give us actual christians a bad name.

Posted by: ChristianLibrul at January 20, 2006 11:51 AM

Once I met William Blum at a book-signing event some friends of mine put together. He tried to recruit me for a martyrdom operation against the New York City Gay Pride parade! I told him I was busy and couldn't do that this week.

Seriously, does Osama bin Laden actually think people will, like, take his arguments at face value? All this means is Bill Blum won't be able to get on a plane ever again.

Posted by: saurabh at January 20, 2006 02:08 PM

No, poind, it's not just you. For a long time I've suspected the same thing. And I think it is a bad thing. If you happen to know her, just ask poor Martha.

We have far too many Christians and not enough Hoovers, like ol' J Edgar in the Oliphant cartoon published I think today in what used to be the NYTimes.

As for light sabers and phasers, I've always had a preference for whips, as those in my man Zorro's expert demonstrations, at no nearer than twenty paces.

Posted by: Jesus B. Ochoa at January 20, 2006 04:01 PM

Oh yes... "He's not a REAL christian". "He's not a REAL conservative."

What bullshit! Christian and conservative is EXACTLY what he is. Christcons supported him for years, christcons put him in power, and christcons keep him in power. Without ongoing support from christcons, he's be just another alcoholic bum from a rich family.

Without christians and conservatives, we never would have gotten this monster foisted on us. Now just like Dr. Frankenstein you're trying to run away from your creation. Nothing doing. You made him, you're stuck with him.

God damn all religious freaks to hell!

Posted by: me at January 20, 2006 04:15 PM

Amazing what happens eh? I haven't quite forgiven you guys for electing those guys. One more chance, 2006. Hey if you stop Alito, I will fly an American flag all day here!

Go you guys !

Posted by: Rick Barnes (Kelowna BC) at January 20, 2006 11:05 PM