In non-Katrina News: "Two messages of hate aimed at reasserting terror network"

FT.com / World / UK has the story right here.

Evil runs quite the work-a-holic schedule. The enemy doesn't rest after seducing NO survivors to barbarism. No, his willing or unwitting agents press the borders of civilization--even as others within erode its foundations. The former rattle their sabers of hate:

Mohammad Sidique Khan, is seated on the floor, leaning against a wall carpet and justifying, in English, his decision to blow himself up to kill innocent people on a Tube at Edgware Road.

Then a separate message from a much older man follows. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second in command in the al-Qaeda network, pledges in Arabic, that the war he is waging has now decisively moved to the west.

The carefully choreographed video presentation, parts of which were last night shown on the pan-Arab network al-Jazeera, also included clips of bombings in Iraq, Chechnya and Afghanistan. For al-Qaeda, it was unusual in style but not in content.

Combining the two messages, from Khan and Mr Zawahiri, represented the terror network's latest bid to reassert itself four years after the launch of the global war against terror and to justify atrocities by exploiting conflicts in Muslim countries.

Although it is unclear how the presentation was put together and sent to al-Jazeera, it appeared aimed at linking al-Qaeda to the London bombings.

The 30-year-old British man of Pakistani origin mentions Osama bin Laden, the head of al-Qaeda, but does not say whether he was acting on orders from the organisation.

If anyone doubts that the 7/7 London bombers acted as a part of Al Qaeda, let them believe it now. Al Qaeda certainly wants us to. The question I have, though, is: Why now?

Is it a coincidence that this video airs on Al Jazeera shortly after the Iraquis, minus the Sunnis, move forward on approving their constitution? Or that the US struggles with the aftermath of Katrina? I'm curious: what's their objective?

Are they looking for money?

Trying to throw Britain off-balance?

Looking to exploit some policy difference among EU members?

Longing to stay relevent?

Whatever their strategy, they're pursuing the wrong tactics. Their video won't intimidate the British. It will strengthen their resolve. It will harden their defiance. If they're trying to motivate mujahadeen to join up for a campaigne against the West, then their success in London may motivate some to throw down with Al Qaeda. If they're looking for ways to exploit policy differences among EU members, they better take a number and get in line. Just ask France and Great Britain. They've squabbled over agricultural policy and subsidies for months. The Continent stands ready to reject the constitution. The EU has it's own politics; I'm not sure they'll take AQ seriously. Especially if the US continues to bear the brunt of islamo-fascist attack in Iraq and Afghanistan. As for the desire to stay relevent: they're not. Their perversion of a billion people's faith will not last long. Their dreams of a united Muslim world rest on delusions unsustainable in the light of day. Just ask the Arab League and the new Iraqi government.

Al Qaeda can foam-at-the-mouth all it wants. It's murderous ways have no chance of furthering their Agenda. Their terrorism will poison their every step. They've signed their own death sentences already. Literally.

The more efficiently the world hunts down and eliminates any intransigent terroritst the operate under the AQ banner, the sooner the world will be well-rid on a needless scourge. Let the "foaming bronze-age fanatics" bury themselves in moutain caves. Their time has come and gone. Their master will remain at large only so much longer.

Stand united with those of good will. Be not afraid. The fading of the light does not gurantee an eternity of darkness. The dawn always follows.