Osama Bin Laden Tape

Osama bin Laden

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. That may be the reason for the new al Qaeda tape featuring bin Laden. In the tape bin Laden makes multiple references to 9/11 and also mocks the United States. These comments have drawn concern from some including me.

The war in Iraq drew our attention from bin Laden allowing him to rally his supporters. This is exactly what he wanted. Many experts are saying that al Qaeda is prepared or nearly prepared for a large scale terrorist attack on the United States. The small plots that have been busted in the U.S. and other countries are just a precursor to a bigger attack. The man that used to be in charge of the bin Laden case for the CIA said in an interview that he is sure al Qaeda is ready for an attack larger than 9/11. The tape also suggests this.

In the tape bin Laden mocks the U.S. by saying we cannot end the war in Iraq when we spend more money on our military than all the other countries in the world combined. (I do not know if this is true). He goes on to say that 19 men (the men that hijacked the planes) changed our focus on foreign affairs. He then says that us as Americans are just as guilty as our government because we voted them in. This goes against Middle East countries former beliefs; the countries usually only hate our government. He says we should leave Iraq because our economy is suffering badly from all the money we are putting into the war. I feel this is true, but we cannot just leave overnight.

There is not a good solution. If we leave Iraq would be left to fend for itself and we would probably just be back there in a few years. If we bring back some of our troops people will ask why anyone is still there and eventually we will have to make a decision about what to do in Iraq. If we keep fighting the way we are, we risk making our own country weaker and susceptible to attack. These are all the issues our country’s leaders need to take into account. I would give my opinion, but I feel I do not know enough about the topic to give an acceptable and educated statement.

This week will be a big for the direction our country is going in. The report our military leaders are going to give should make the picture a bit clearer. I am excited ( and somewhat scared) to learn more about topics I have not paid much attention to in the past, and I hope our country will do the right thing.

Grade Received: 10/10