Where's Osama Bin Hiding?

Well, I have to say that I'm disappointed and dismayed. I really thought Osama bin Laden was occupying one of the warmer spots in hell, courtesy of a U.S. Air Force smart bomb, but today he showed up in another video tape, clearly made quite recently, showing him in apparently good health. [transcript, thanks to Donald Sensing at One Hand Clapping]

In the tape, which is a message directly to the American people, he makes some rather bizarre statements, including telling U.S. citizens that our security is not in the hands of President Bush, nor Senator Kerry, nor even al Qaeda, but in our own hands. Huh? What is that supposed to mean - if we are especially good boys and girls this year, Santa bin Laden won't bring us any exploding stuff for Christmas?

Well, Mr. bin Hidin', let me suggest that the American people have a message for you, as well. We've been delivering that message, in both Afghanistan and Iraq, since shortly after the cowardly actions of your followers on September 11, 2001.

The message is this:

You and your followers had better keep hiding, because sooner or later, we will get you.

You can do your best to destabilize Afghanistan and Iraq, but we will win.

You can try to force your misogynistic, fascist, backward brand of Islam on the people of the world, but they will reject you.

You can blame the United States for the problems of your people, but you are a liar.

Your day is over, bin Laden. You are finished. You may be alive and well today, but eventually justice will prevail.

We will find you.

Up until that horrible day in September three years ago, we had dealt with the terrorist acts of bin Laden and the rest of the Islamists with restraint, but no more. The needless deaths of that day roused the American people to anger and resolve, and thanks to this video tape, the American people have been reminded of what that day felt like. Most likely unintentionally, bin Laden just may have assured that the presidential election goes to George W. Bush.

Vote!

This evening, I completed my absentee ballot, and I'll drop it off tomorrow. It's no secret which candidate I support for president, but there were a lot of other important races that I voted on. In the state of Washington, we're electing a governor this year without an incumbent in the race, since the current governor, Gary Locke, is not running. Also, one of our U.S. Senate seats is being contested, with the incumbent, Patti "No Rocket Scientist" Murray running against Congressman George Nethercutt. Locally, we're deciding on a county executive to oversee our county government, which is a very important position, as it impacts my daily life to a greater degree than any national or state office. Several other state and local government positions were also up for election, including some Washington State Supreme Court positions There were some important citizen's initiatives to be decided as well.

One thing stood out to me this year as I voted: there is simply no good reason to be uninformed anymore. In the past, I had to rely on voter's pamphlets, television news, advertising by candidates, and so on, to get information on candidates and issues. Often I didn't feel that good about my decisions, since information was rather difficult to come by, especially on local candidates and issues. I often felt that my votes were a little arbitrary, based on name recognition or party affiliation. With the rise of the Internet, though, I can find tons of information, from many different points of view, read through it all, quickly find data supporting or refuting opinions and statements, and come to a much more informed decision on candidates and issues. For me, it has made voting much more enjoyable, since I feel like I'm contributing informed and valuable opinions to the political process.

So, I urge everyone reading this site that is eligible to vote to spend some time doing some research on the candidates and issues. The Internet makes it easy, and you can read for yourself what the candidates have to say on issues of importance to you. Make decisions, not just on party affiliations, name recognition or endorsements by newspapers, union leaders, and so on, but on what you truly believe is best for you, your family, your local and state government, and for our nation. An informed opinion is a valuable contribution to our political process.

So, take some time to get informed, and then vote!

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