Osama's Followers Mark His 50th Birthday

Al Qaeda Founder's Whereabouts Remains A Mystery

(AP)  Followers of Osama bin Laden flooded Islamist Web sites Saturday posting messages pledging their devotion to the world's most-wanted man in celebration of his 50th birthday — even as his whereabouts remains a mystery more than five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Dozens of bin Laden fans posted videos and pictures on the Internet commemorating the elusive al Qaeda leader's life and renewing their allegiance to him and his terrorist network.

One Web site user, who went by the name of Abu Yacoub, posted an old picture of bin Laden wearing a helmet and khaki military uniform while carrying a two-way radio in a deserted location, possibly from bin Laden's fight in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union two decades ago.

"Today ... Osama bin Laden turns 50. God protect our leader, our Sheik Osama bin Laden. God reward him for his words and actions," Abu Yacoub wrote on an Internet site commonly used by insurgents.

Another message titled the "Manhattan invasion" featured old footage of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the wills of the hijackers. Other messages included a poem describing one follower's dedication to bin Laden.

The authenticity of the Islamist Web site messages could not be verified. And like most things involving bin Laden, his exact birth date remains a mystery. GlobalSecurity.org, a Virginia-based think tank, said bin Laden, who was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was either born on March 10, 1957 or July 30 of the same year. The FBI just lists that he was born in 1957. Attempts to independently confirm bin Laden's date of birth were not successful.

Maj. William Mitchell, a spokesman for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, rejected attempts to celebrate bin Laden's birthday.

"We certainly don't want to celebrate the lives of people who have shown such little regard for the lives of innocent people around the world," Mitchell said.

"Instead of focusing on the anniversary of his birth, people around the world — and particularly the people here in Afghanistan — should take a moment to remember the innocent people who have been killed or injured by terrorist extremists like Osama bin Laden," he added.

Speculation over whether bin Laden is dead or alive has been swirling for years as the most publicized manhunt in history has come up empty.

He is believed to be holed up in the lawless border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the rugged mountains on the border area or inside Afghanistan itself in the remote forested eastern province of Nuristan and Kunar.

The U.S. and other coalition troops have conducted hundreds of search-and-seizure operations in this region, but without known success, while intelligence officials have suggested that the trail for the world's most wanted fugitive have gone cold.

The last time bin Laden appeared in a video tape was Oct. 29, 2004 to warn the American people and administration to stop meddling in Arab and Muslim affairs or they would face a second Sept. 11 attack. In that video, the al Qaeda leader appeared pale and thinner.

A number of bin Laden audio tapes have been posted on Islamic Web sites since then, the latest in June, but his voice has sounded tired, sparking rumors that he is seriously ill. Bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, meanwhile, has become more visual, appearing in four messages since the beginning of this year and more than a dozen last year.

Intelligence experts also believe bin Laden may be choosing to keep a low profile.

"My information says that he is still alive. He is under a microscope and might be in a location that is not safe for him to show up," said Yasser el-Sirri, an Egyptian fundamentalist in exile, who runs the Islamic Observation Center in London.

Bin Laden founded Al Qaeda in 1988 in Afghanistan mainly to fight the Soviet invasion, but its ideology has expanded across the globe with the help of technology and the Internet, inspiring thousands of young fundamentalist Muslims. Many have formed mini-al Qaeda cells that may not have direct contact with the original terror group, but adopt its methods, with many carrying out attacks against Western targets around the world.

Anwar Eshki, the head of Jiddah, Saudi Arabia-based Middle East Center for Strategic and Legal Studies, said that without the Internet and technology including al Qaeda's media production house al-Sahab, the terror network wouldn't have been able to spread its message and rally supporters around the world.

"The body might be damaged, but the leader remains a symbol and its battlefield now is the Internet," Eshki said.

[lars008-2009]

Appeal for Redress
Sign this Appeal.
This site is an Appeal For Redress in support of our mission in Iraq.
An Appeal For Redress is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.
It is authorized by DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6.
The wording of the Appeal for Redress is:
As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.
If you are active duty, reservist or national guard, please Sign this Appeal.
Most service members fully support the war in Iraq and feel calls to retreat by Congress and attacks by our media on our conduct and mission act to motivate our enemy while demoralizing our support at home, directly increasing the threat we face and resulting in greater American casualties. This Appeal for Redress provides a way in which individual service members can appeal to Congress to fully support us and actively oppose media attacks on our mission and our morale.
This Appeal will be delivered to members of Congress.
http://www.appealforcourage.org/

[lars008-2009]

Patrick Henry
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775

[lars008-2009]

there is no peace with fascist nazi islam....

dnc are like john adams and want to give their lunch money to fascist nazi islam hoping they will leave them alone...

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to use their lunch money to kick fascist nazi islam's arse......

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli's envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2007/691/
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2002_winter_spring/terrorism.htm

[agnim]

Un happy birthday to you

Un happy birthday to you

Un happy birthday, O'sinner

Un happy birthday to you


And if I were President of the US"
For sure you would not be spending time in the cold, that is if you are alive, O'sinner

Wherever on the planet you were lost, I would have HAD YOU FOUND! If every mountain in Pakistan had to be leveled and every last Pakistani interrogated! Trust, me, O'sinner; YOU WOULD BE FOUND!

And you would be given a nice warm cell, a prelude to the hell you will most certainly one day enjoy with your buddy, bush! LOL

[randalds]

i am sure if we do get close to catching him, i am sure he will be dressed like a woman and will surrender instead of fighting. just like we seen his other pals.
Posted by usadvisor101 at 05:05 PM : Mar 11, 2007

Dressed like a women? Who do you think he is, J. Edgar Hoover? Or maybe Rudy G.?

[j-whitman]

USAadvisor,,, We've been close to catching him,, What did Bush do ?? Divert resources & troops to Iraq. --- What does Bush do with radical militant Muslems ??? He's funding them in ops against Iran.

[j-whitman]

Ecoli Bacteria has better pole numbers than Bush does

[j-whitman]

Lars,,, Get off the crank & stay off it for 2 years & your brain just might return to normality.

[j-whitman]

Lars,,, Answer me, You smoked a whole 8 ball last night didn't you ?? Put your glass pipe down & get some sleep.

[baldfrog-2009]

Osama bin Laden has been dead for quite awhile more than like also.He never made 50.He's hangin out with the Arabic Tooth Fairy.Where those phony tapes were all connived to get who Republicans by Rove playing the paranoia card elected. Notice how they would show up just before Rove and company needed something before an election ect.Never saw his face in the later ones kind of duped up stuff like those UN photos before the war.And of of course "Chicken Littles" bought the whole package billions of no ne tax dollars later.
Bin Laden the Saudis dance ,partner what an ally those jerks are.They blew his but off the face of the earth a long time ago.He is dead and those coward have been smoking to much Turkish hash who think he is alive.I wonder who wants us to think he made 50?

[musty2u]

Felicitations on your natal day Osama. We got a candle for your sorry but.

[lars008-2009]

Patrick Henry
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775

The following text is a fatwa, or declaration of war, by Osama bin Laden first published in Al Quds Al Arabi, a London-based newspaper, in August, 1996. The fatwa is entitled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places."
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/international/fatwa_1996.html

Text of Fatwah Urging Jihad Against Americans
http://www.ict.org.il/articles/fatwah.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm

Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden%27s_Declaration_of_War

[formrusmcsgt]

fascist nazi islam is the enemy of the entire human race......
Posted by lars008 at 08:42 AM : Mar 11, 2007

No, lars. It is the enemy of Islamophobics - such as yourself.

[lars008-2009]

Posted by karlimhof at 04:55 AM : Mar 11, 2007

fascist nazi islam is blasphemy haji......

you worship the darkside....... come into the light haji.....

fascist nazi islam is the enemy of the entire human race......

[bluestardad]

ANOTHER BUSH FAMILY FRIEND! OSAMA BUSH!

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! ASK THEM WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARIES? 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the Middle East more than those who live there! The NEOCONS are bragging in their advertisements read below, how many Congressmen are influenced by AIPAC money and how they are voting on Iraq!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[bluestardad]

Osama and the Saudis have cut a deal with Bush and as long as Bush is PResident he will walk!

[dallison7]

Osama bin Laden's whereabouts is a big secret? hmmm, I think everybody on the planet knows Osama is in Pakista
Posted by tbweb


Nope, he's celebrating his birthday with Dubya at the Bush ranch in Paraguay.

[karlimhof]

lars

it's sunday - give us a break - your prayers are blasphemous.

and when you refer to the Almighty - use a capitol letter with all nouns and pronouns - it's a sign of respect.

using religion as a political tool should be made a criminal offense.

[karlimhof]

I think it's fitting we celebrate OBL's 50th -

i mean he's practically been forgotton by our Chief War Inventor - i think he even said as much.

can anyone imagine going to war in Iraq because Al-Qaeda and Saddam were working together and planned 911 together - and then, after "getting" saddam, he forgets about Osama, the mastermind ?

I wonder what all that means....?

[tbweb]

Osama bin Laden's whereabouts is a big secret? hmmm, I think everybody on the planet knows Osama is in Pakistan in the un-governed areas where the Pakistan government itself doesn't even go! The real question is how can parts of any country be off limits to its own government? I just hope the world doesn't wake up one day with Osama bin Laden claiming he now has his finger on the Pakistan nuke button! That must be Osama's plan, control of Pakistan's nukes! If Osama is anywhere near the Pakistan's nukes you can bet your last money Osama has designs on controlling them or the person who will and using them!! Osama is too close to Pakistans nukes for comfort! If in fact Osama is not in Pakistan then that better be confirmed! Maybe Osama's whereabout can't be known but it better be known if he's in Pakistan or not! If you think about it, wouldn't it be so Osama to attempt to control Pakistans nukes, the world better know!!!