The Belmont Club characterizes the latest from OBL as a peace offering to the American electorate:

It is important to notice what he has stopped saying in this speech. He has stopped talking about the restoration of the Global Caliphate. There is no more mention of the return of Andalusia. There is no more anticipation that Islam will sweep the world. He is no longer boasting that Americans run at the slightest wounds; that they are more cowardly than the Russians. He is not talking about future operations to swathe the world in fire but dwelling on past glories. He is basically saying if you leave us alone we will leave you alone. Though it is couched in his customary orbicular phraseology he is basically asking for time out.

OBL’s appearance in the video provides some corroboration for Wretchard’s analysis. He’s no longer sporting the camouflage look and has put away the AK-47 assault rifle.

According to the Belmont Club, the American people get to decide whether to take or leave OBL’s truce:

The American answer to Osama's proposal will be given on Election Day. One response is to agree that the United States of America will henceforth act like Sweden, which is on track to become majority Islamic sometime after the middle of this century. The electorate best knows which candidate will serve this end; which candidate most promises to be European-like in attitude and they can choose that path with both eyes open. The electorate can strike that bargain and Osama may keep his word. The other course is to reject Osama's terms utterly; to recognize the pleading in his outwardly belligerent manner and reply that his fugitive existence; the loss of his sanctuaries; the annihilation of his men are but the merest foretaste of what is yet to come: to say that to enemies such as he, the initials 'US' will always mean Unconditional Surrender.

Osama has stated his terms. He awaits America's answer.

Some Americans will happily cast the surrender vote, but they should remember Spain and how AQ accepted its capitulation by planning additional attacks. OBL may appear to wave the white flag, but the majority of Americans will know better than to fall for it.

UPDATE: The Captain and I posted on this at the same time, and you can read his take below.

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» bin Laden Video: Another Forged Document? from DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS:Worldviews Behind The News
An MSM/Dem late hit? The transcript has a Western/Michael Moore/Dem-talking-point ring to it, and is not (as Wretchard noted) laced with references to the "Global Caliphate" or Andalusia. Just another forged document? [Read More]

Tracked on October 30, 2004 1:49 PM

» Osama Counters from Stones Cry Out
Belmont Club notes a change in Bin Laden's message (HT: Captain's Quarters...John Kerry has said he has a secret plan for substantial allied involvement in Iraq...Neophyte Pundit...John Kerry's secret plan... sacrafice..Israel... Osama Bin Laden has ju... [Read More]

Tracked on October 30, 2004 8:21 PM

» OBL is offering a truce from Commonwealth Conservative
So says the Belmont Club and Captain's Quarters. Note this language from Belmont, under a post entitled "Osama Bin Laden's Surrender Proposal": It is important to notice what he has stopped saying in this speech. He has stopped talking about the ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 31, 2004 8:44 AM