Well, look what happened...someone turned over a rock, and now Osama bin Laden has popped up again.

Yes, our favorite smug lunatic is back, peering out of his cave to encourage Muslims everywhere to go to Sudan and fight against the evil Crusaders (that would be people like you and I, most of whom couldn't find the Sudan on a map) who are daring to fight the valiant Muslims there. Of course, he doesn't mention that those valiant Muslims are the members of the Janjaweed militia who are responsible for much of the terrible suffering in the Darfur region of Sudan, and who have ruthlessly massacred thousands of innocent people...but then, logic has never been Mr bin Laden's strong suit.

So, let me see if I've got this right: Osama bin Laden, speaking in the name of the god he refers to as "the merciful, the compassionate," is exhorting his coreligionists to kill everyone who doesn't share his version of mercy and compassion. It appears that at least a few of his adherents have listened to him, as more than 20 people were killed yesterday in attacks on innocent vacationers enjoying a holiday at a resort in Egypt.

Make no mistake - Islamic fundamentalists like bin Laden, Zawahiri, and al-Zarqawi are the real-life version of The Terminator: They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And they absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. Or until you submit to their twisted view of paradise on earth. And if you don't believe that, watch what they do, listen to what they say, and read what they write. You can start by visiting the Middle East Media Research Institute (http://www.memri.org) to read English translations and view video clips of what they're saying. And if you thought the famous Danish cartoons of the prophet Mohammed were offensive, take a look at some of the cartoons culled from the Arabic media that are collected at the site.

Theirs is not the vision of the future I want for my grandchildren. Take them seriously, folks. They won't give up. Will we?

More, and hopefully, happier, thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo