Osama Bin Laden Dead?: France, Saudi Arabia; Bush Hopeful

Is this the October Surprise Karl Rove was hoping for? Its too convenient. Remember: Saudi Arabia is a loyal supporter of Bush. Just like the recent drop in oil prices is too convenient. Maybe, Maybe not. Its safe to say that Bin Laden's hygienic regimen might not be the best given his circumstances. The lack of a video or audio recording of Bin Laden lately lends credence to the argument that he is dead.

But do we care? What is the significance of his death? Will he become a martyr? It is certainly convenient for Bush if Bin Laden is dead. They don't have explain all the time why it is that they have failed to kill or capture the spiritual head of al Qaeda.

The fact that we don't know for sure shows how inept U.S. and Western intelligence is finding Bin Laden. We don't if he died years ago? That's unacceptable. Its incompetence to not know exactly where the inspiration for 9/11 is for sure.

Why its suspicious:

"Time magazine separately posted an article on its website citing an unidentified Saudi source, who claimed bin Laden was stricken with a water-borne disease and may already be dead."

Did the French get it right?:

"A French regional newspaper quoted a French secret service report on Saturday as saying that Saudi Arabia is convinced that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden died of typhoid in Pakistan last month."

To show how inept U.S. intelligence is, the FBI claimed Bin Laden was dead back 2002:

"The US Federal Bureau of Investigation's counter-terrorism chief, Dale Watson, says he thinks Osama bin Laden is "probably" dead."

FOX was reporting Bin Laden's death back 2001:

"Usama bin Laden has died a peaceful death due to an untreated lung complication, the Pakistan Observer reported, citing a Taliban leader who allegedly attended the funeral of the Al Qaeda leader."

The Age reported on Bin Laden's death in January:

"Dr Clive Williams, director of terrorism studies at the Australian National University, says documents provided by an Indian colleague suggested bin Laden died of massive organ failure in April last year."