The Osama Bin Laden Tape

Today Osama bin Laden released a videotape on al-Jazeera warning of the possibility of new attacks, and offering somewhat of an explanation for the World Trade Center attacks (transcript here). Bin Laden's statements reveal a confused and simplistic worldview, although one markedly more reasoned than what has been indicated in his previous statements. His words were not of jihad or infidels, and his statements seemed purposefully westernized and political. It seems most probable that Bin Laden, by voicing his opinion in such a manner and in such close proximity to the presidential election, is attempting to portray himself as logical and diplomatic. He seems to have assumed a demeanor purposefully opposed to Bush's characterizations of him as a madman, killer, and religious fanatic. In doing so he most probably intends to legitimize his elevation to the level of global political power.
He masterfully recognizes that the entire western world is tired of death, weary of this war, and ready to be rid of this constant fear. He no doubt intends to exploit this weariness for his own gain. Assuming the 9/11 attacks were in fact in response to American presence in the Middle East and support of Israel (which we have no reason to disbelieve), Bin Laden seems to be offering what would be at once a diplomatic solution and a major coup. Bin Laden has proposed what appears to be a tempting and logical exchange: withdraw U.S. troops from the Middle East, cease support of Israel, and you will be safe from terrorist attacks. Yet this exchange lives entirely in the present. It neglects the reality of what happened in New York and Washington D.C. on 9/11. It neglects the reality that Bin Laden is a mass murderer who cannot be treated as a diplomat. Yet despite all this, Bin Laden's offer is genius in its mixed meaning and divisiveness.
This latest video is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It presents a diplomatic end to this death and madness that is just logical enough to blind us from the fact that it is in reality blackmail, and that Bin Laden cannot murder thousands and remain free. He presents what appears at first to be a third option: not war, not capitulation, but an equal exchange.
Through the tired eyes of a beseiged western world, this exchange may even seem to be equal to some. There will no doubt be those who are baited by his words, who demand that we forgive and forget, so that we may live our lives without fear. But would we be able to live without fear in a world where Bin Laden achieved his goals through the murder of innocents? What guarantee would we have that we will never see our families shattered by senseless, arbitrary violence? We would have none, and this is why there is no forgiving, there is no forgetting. No matter what stance we take on the possibility of the threat of Saddam, no matter what our views are regarding the continuation of the War in Iraq, there is no question regarding Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden killed thousands of innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001. No amount of posturing and rhetoric can take that away. Bin Laden is a murderer, and murderers cannot engage in diplomacy.
The challege for Americans and the rest of the world at this point is not to be blinded by partisan politics, not to allow ourselves to be blackmailed, and to realize the truth of the situation. Blind, reactionary patriotism is not the answer, nor is scared, cowardly capitulation. I only hope now that we can see through the media spin, the political agendas, and the conniving of our enemies to see what must be done to protect our lives and our liberties, and to defeat this enemy.