Friday, January 20, 2006

A lesson I'm sure we'll miss

The AP has translated the complete text of Bin Laden's tape here.

An excerpt:

Finally, I say that war will go either in our favor or yours. If it is the former, it means your loss and your shame forever, and it is headed in this course. If it is the latter, read history! We are people who do not stand for injustice and we will seek revenge all our lives. The nights and days will not pass without us taking vengeance like on Sept. 11, God permitting. Your minds will be troubled and your lives embittered. As for us, we have nothing to lose. A swimmer in the ocean does not fear the rain. You have occupied our lands, offended our honor and dignity and let out our blood and stolen our money and destroyed our houses and played with our security and we will give you the same treatment.

You have tried to prevent us from leading a dignified life, but you will not be able to prevent us from a dignified death. Failing to carry out jihad, which is called for in our religion, is a sin. The best death to us is under the shadows of swords. Don't let your strength and modern arms fool you. They win a few battles but lose the war. Patience and steadfastness are much better. We were patient in fighting the Soviet Union with simple weapons for 10 years and we bled their economy and now they are nothing.

In that there is a lesson for you.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beth- Duh.... I think I learned that lesson like 20 years ago when I was in history class. Don't fight a religious war that no one wins.

Bush- But what about all that oil and money and power God surely wants me to have it.

vikkitikkitavi said...

Yeah, fighting over land in Asia. What's wrong with them, haven't they ever played Risk?