Most of you have probably heard about Chris Matthews comparing Osama bin Laden's rhetoric to Michael Moore's last week. It's hard not to have, since virtually every liberal blog has condemned him. And rightly so, although perhaps not for the right reason. No, Matthews' comments were wrong simply because they were myopic, reflecting that same lack of understanding of politics that pervades traditional reporting.
After all, we know that the traditional media believes that 'balance' is achieved by weighing equal parts left-wing partisanship with right-wing partisanshp. It's the same media that enables politicians to pose as moderates, by striking a pose and releasing a sound bite for a position that's left (or right) of the status quo for their party.
Well, if the media doesn't notice when politicians play these games, then you certainly can't blame them for not noticing when Osama does it.
The fact is, he's been trying to broaden his appeal to Americans for years now -- not just to the Michael Moore crowd, but to Americans of all political stripes.
Here are several examples from a letter from November 2002: the many faces of Osama.
Your law is the law of the rich and wealthy people, who hold sway in their political parties, and fund their election campaigns with their gifts.
--Osama bin Nader
The British handed over Palestine, with your help and your support, to the Jews, who have occupied it for more than 50 years; years overflowing with oppression, tyranny, crimes, killing, expulsion, destruction and devastation. The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals.
--Osama bin Chomsky
These governments steal our Ummah's wealth and sell them to you at a paltry price.
--Osama bin Dobbs
...the American people are the ones who choose their government by way of their own free will; a choice which stems from their agreement to its policies.... The American people have the ability and choice to refuse the policies of their Government and even to change it if they want.
--Osama ben Franklin
America does not understand the language of manners and principles, so we are addressing it using the language it understands.
--Osama bin FDR
...total equality between all people, without regarding their colour, sex, or language.
--Osama bin Luther King, Jr.
We call you to be a people of manners, principles, honour, and purity; to reject the immoral acts of fornication, homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling's, and trading with interest.
--Osama bin Dobson
You separate religion from your policies, contradicting the pure nature which affirms Absolute Authority to the Lord and your Creator.
--Osama bin Falwell
Who can forget your President Clinton's immoral acts committed in the official Oval office? After that you did not even bring him to account, other than that he 'made a mistake', after which everything passed with no punishment. Is there a worse kind of event for which your name will go down in history and remembered by nations?
--Osama bin Hyde
You are a nation that exploits women like consumer products or advertising tools calling upon customers to purchase them.
--Osama bin Friedan
Go ahead and boast to the nations of man, that you brought them AIDS as a Satanic American Invention.
--Osama bin Phelps
You have destroyed nature with your industrial waste and gases more than any other nation in history. Despite this, you refuse to sign the Kyoto agreement so that you can secure the profit of your greedy companies and industries.
--Osama bin Gore
What happens in Guatanamo is a historical embarrassment to America and its values, and it screams into your faces - you hypocrites, "What is the value of your signature on any agreement or treaty?"
--Osama bin Carter
We also advise you to pack your luggage and get out of our lands. We desire for your goodness, guidance, and righteousness, so do not force us to send you back as cargo in coffins.
--Osama bin Tancredo
Props to digby...