The Bin Laden Tape: Realizations and Revelations in Its Understanding, but Not Justification

For me, reading the transcript of Bin Laden's most recent tape was like being handed over a problem and then being told to find the solution. How many of us question the situation our country is in, how many of us are not completely convinced that the war we find ourselves in is justified and yet are unable to sympathize with terrorists? I have recognized the problem and will outline my answer.

In his address to the American people, Bin Laden reveals his reasons for retaliating against the U.S. as well as makes claims about a ploy concocted by the Bushes, both in attempt to convince Americans to convert to Islam and be guaranteed safety.

He begins with telling us that "security is an indispensable pillar of human life" and people "make it their priority to look for...causes, in order to prevent it happening again... Bush is still engaged in distortion, deception and hiding from you the real causes... [I] shall tell you truthfully about the moments in which the decision was taken, for you to consider."

He then describes horrific images of events during the American/Israeli coalition to invade Lebanon in 1982. "The situation was like a crocodile meeting a helpless child... Does the crocodile understand a conversation that doesn't include a weapon?" He says that in the aftermath, he intensely felt that this was due to the oppression of tyrants, who should be punished and "we fight because we are free men who don't sleep under oppression."

Bin Laden tells a colorful story of the Bush dynasty's ploy to not only drain the Middle East of its resources while working in conjunction with puppet officials, but also to drain the public wealth of America. He continues to elaborate, that the suffering of Americans owing to financial losses caused by regression and deficit as well as the losses of loved ones to the war, are all "for the sake of oil and keeping their private companies in business."

"Destruction is freedom and democracy," he says, "while resistance is terrorism and intolerance...We want to restore freedom to our nation, just as you lay waste to our nation. So shall we lay waste to yours." Bin Laden threatens Palestinian allies with, "that you may recall that for every action, there is a reaction."

The problem? No matter whose side you're on or if you have picked no side, you cannot deny one simple thing that stands in the middle of the chaos- that the terrorists in question believe the American government to be their cause for taking arms just as the American government believes terrorists to be theirs.

Bin Laden, without meaning to, actually gives us the answer, eerily in speaking as those who perished during the attacks on the World Trade Center, "Hold to account those who have caused us to be killed, and happy is he who learns from others' mistakes." But he does not look back far enough to realize the one mistake that have caused millions to be killed. The answer is as old as civilization itself, and has been written by societies around the world, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It should be apparent that "eye for an eye" thinking has led these two rams to butt one another, unwilling to budge, and the only ways for not only this particular incident but all conflict to end is in the destruction of one of the two opposing forces or for one to turn the other cheek.

Throughout the article, Bin Laden maintains that Allah is behind his efforts, that, "Allah is our Guardian and Helper, while you have no Guardian or Helper. All peace be upon he who follows the Guidance." Ironic, considering the Allah of Muslims is the same God of Christians, who constitute the largest religious group in the United States, and that the teachings of both religions call for the greatest form of sacrifice versus retaliation (no matter if he who cast the first stone was justified or not) in the hopes of enlightenment for mankind.

To Bin Laden I say that Newton's law applies to physics, not humanity. To Bush I say yes, we all must work together as you advise we do, not against anyone but rather for everyone. To the religious I say return to the teachings of your faith. To all others I ask for your consideration of the following. It is clear that the human race is less animal than it has ever been before, we need not compete for our survival when cooperation between all could lead to exciting new discoveries. This world is abounding with endless opportunity with the amazing advancement of science and the manpower and resources to fuel endless possibilities for the benefit of all mankind.

In closing, I again turn Bin Laden's own words against him, "It is better to return to the truth than persist in error," the error of all who have lived and continue to live erring in seeking an eye for an eye.