The Latest News from Under a Rock in Pakistan

It had to happen again, sooner or later. Yes, that paragon of peace, love, and understanding, Osama bin Laden, has once again crawled out from under his rock and issued yet another bombastic and hectoring message to the world.

I don't know who's the bigger fool - bin Laden or the people who eagerly swallow whole his empty message of hate and intolerance. Why do so many consider this despicable fiend who planned and financed the cold-blooded murder of some 3,000 people a hero? Why does anyone pay attention to his rambling lectures?

Above all, why does no one ask the question that seems to me to be so obvious: why does this multi-millionaire spend his time paying for acts of terror and murder and recording hate videos when he could spend the same money on schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure for the Palestinians about whom he professes to care? Why do we ask ourselves why this hateful creature's beard is dark rather than gray, instead of asking why he doesn't channel his money and his organizational talents into building a future for the Arab-Muslim world? Why do we not point out to a credulous Middle Eastern public that idolizes such a vile being that instead of churning up hatred for Muslims in the West, he could be helping relieve the miserable situation of people in Gaza and the West Bank?

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: it's easier to blame someone else for your failings than to look inward and fix the problems yourself. This is the curse of the Muslim world - by seeing the entire world as an enemy seeking to oppress it, instead of a potential friend with whom it could live in peace and shared prosperity, it has doomed itself to an endless cycle of misery and ultimate irrelevance. Mosques may be crowded with fervent believers, but what is the price of that unquestioning, blind faith? The price tag is high: poverty, misery, violence and hate in the here-and-now in exchange for a mystical eternal life.

I don't see why anyone would see that as a bargain.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo