# Osama Asks for Truce - what is our response? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 19, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685 "2006-01-19T18:19:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gringo\_Miami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@Gringo\_Miami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gringo_Miami)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/1 "2006-01-19T18:19:06Z")
Today, according to CNN and other news sources - Osama Bin Laden has offered a truce to the US [ENTIRE CNN STORY](http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/19/binladen.tape/index.html) I quote part of the article: > [@possible Osama Bin Laden](#): > > The message also opened the door to a “solution.” > > "In response to the substance of the polls in the U.S., which indicate that Americans do not want to fight Muslims on Muslim land, nor do they want Muslims to fight them on their land, we do not mind offering a long-term truce based on just conditions that we will stick to. > > "We are a nation that God banned from lying and stabbing others in the back. Hence, both parties of the truce will enjoy stability and security to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan, which were destroyed by war. How would you answer this if you were President? My answer - No truce. Frankly, I was originally very supportive of the war, and in recent months had begun to waver, being very much reminde of Viet Nam. I did not go completely against the war in my feelings, but the trend was there. Now, after this statement, my support for the war is refreshed. If he is mentioning truce, (assuming it is really Bin Laden) then he must be hurting, and we must be on a very effective path! What is YOUR opinion? ---
**Author:** ![Gringo\_Miami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@Gringo\_Miami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gringo_Miami)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/2 "2006-01-19T18:23:26Z")
Note: Mods - I posted in Great Debates - my best guess for this one. If it is better suited elsewhere, please feel free to move it. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/3 "2006-01-19T18:27:20Z")
> [@Gringo\_Miami](#): > > Now, after this statement, my support for the war is refreshed. If he is mentioning truce, (assuming it is really Bin Laden) then he must be hurting, and we must be on a very effective path! I suggest it would be foolhardy to allow Mr Bin Laden to influence your opinion in any way. Plus, he might be double-bluffing you. Ignoring him, and retaining whatever opinion you had before his latest propaganda outburst, would be the best policy. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/4 "2006-01-19T18:31:02Z")
I would take the canoli and leave the gun. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/5 "2006-01-19T18:33:09Z")
The part that got me was: > [@](#): > > We are a nation that God banned from lying and stabbing others in the back Right. And God didn’t ban you from, oh, suicide? Blowing up people who have nothing to do with whatever you’re angry about? Yeah, you’ve behaved in a really responsible and straightforward manner in the past, I’m going to trust you now. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/6 "2006-01-19T18:35:48Z")
This is not going to play well for the Democrats… Osama’s “truce” is a ploy to allow him to move into the power vacuum left if the US exits Iraq too soon and if The West abandons Afghanistan. It only bolsters Bush’s point that we can’t get out of Iraq now bacause Al Qaeda has designs to turn that country into what Afghanistan was prior to 9/11/01. I can just see the campaign commercials: _The Demsocrats and Osama agree on what our policy should be. Who’s side are YOU on?_ And of course we should not inform our policy by whatever Osama threatens to do or to not do. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/7 "2006-01-19T18:37:41Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > The part that got me was: > > Right. And God didn’t ban you from, oh, suicide? Blowing up people who have nothing to do with whatever you’re angry about? Yeah, you’ve behaved in a really responsible and straightforward manner in the past, I’m going to trust you now. Nor did God ban them from slitting the throats of innocent civilians on camera… ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/8 "2006-01-19T18:41:28Z")
It could also mean that al-Qaida is losing in Iraq, and Bin Laden is setting the stage for being able to say, “We didn’t lose - we magnanimously withdrew in the interests of our fellow muslims”. Either way, I read it as a sign of weakness. Do you think Bin Laden would be offering a truce if al-Qaida were scoring victories, pushing the Americans around, gaining support of muslims, and furthering their goals? The other thing I thought of was that this comes awfully close on the heels of that ‘intelligence failure’ bombing in Pakistan, which now looks to have killed at least four or five high-ranking members of al-Qaida. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/9 "2006-01-19T18:42:26Z")
I’m not sure Bin Laden actually has the authority to broker a truce on behalf of everyone who hates the US, and it’s not like we’re going to suddenly relax our heightened security posture. Our War on Terror isn’t going away. Sorry would-be future terrorists. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/10 "2006-01-19T18:44:25Z")
**Sam** , you seem to have logged on using \*\*John[/]'s username. No, everything that happens _doesn’t_ mean bad news for the Democrats, especially not if it’s a mainstream position. What, we shouldn’t have pulled out of Vietnam because that’s what Ho wanted? No, we have to act in our own true, long-term, enlightened interests regardless of what , and yes, most of us are responsible enough to understand that. Is Bush’s announced plan to reduce troop levels in Iraq this year enough to desensitize that issue, even if it weren’t the mainstream one? “I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” -GWB As for how we should reply to Osama, I’d go with “That’s an interesting idea. How about coming out and meeting some US troops? They’ll take you right here so we can discuss it in more detail.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/11 "2006-01-19T18:44:42Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > The other thing I thought of was that this comes awfully close on the heels of that ‘intelligence failure’ bombing in Pakistan, which now looks to have killed at least four or five high-ranking members of al-Qaida. The tape was made in December. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/12 "2006-01-19T18:46:52Z")
He’s a wanted criminal, who murdered almost 3000 people on American soil. You don’t make truces with wanted murderers, you hunt them down and bring them to justice. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/13 "2006-01-19T18:48:11Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > The tape was made in December. Yes, but it was released this week. > [@](#): > > As for how we should reply to Osama, I’d go with “That’s an interesting idea. How about coming out and meeting some US troops? They’ll take you right here so we can discuss it in more detail.” Yeah, that’s the answer. Right on. (And I mean that seriously.) We got quite a few folks 'round town that would love to “negotiate” with that guy. And the horse he rode in on. ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/14 "2006-01-19T18:48:47Z")
Bin Laden - “We offer you an unconditional and indefinite truce” Anti-war protester - “Sounds reasonable to me” Bin Laden - “SIKE!! Ha Ha, Foolish infidels!! Oh, we’re sorry, this time we mean it, truce ok?” Anti-war protester - “Uh, ok” Bin Laden - “SIKE!! Ha Ha, gotcha again!!” – Does this sound familiar to anyone else or is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/15 "2006-01-19T18:51:46Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > This is not going to play well for the Democrats… Nor for the Republicans, if this is just Osama’s way of saying, “Please don’t throw me into the brier patch!” OBL knows the status quo in Iraq is the perfect incubator for Al Qaeda, providing not only an opportunity to kill Americans, but also to whip up anti-Americanism, recruit new suicide bombers around the world, and create the perfect training ground for perpetual Jihad. OBL doesn’t want a truce, nor the withdrawal of Americans; and what better way to guarantee neither will happen than to make Bush think he wants both? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/16 "2006-01-19T18:56:40Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > **Sam** , you seem to have logged on using \*\*John[/]'s username. No, everything that happens _doesn’t_ mean bad news for the Democrats… Then it’s a good thing I didn’t say that. And Bush never said this (either): > [@](#): > > “I don’t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don’t care. It’s not that important. It’s not our priority.” -GWB You and I have been over this many times before. That quote is made it, and you should not continue posting it. Why do you? Let me (once again) quote what Bush actually said: > [@](#): > > [President Bush Holds Press Conference [March 2002]](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html) > > Q Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? \ > > THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man is on the run, if he’s alive at all. Who knows if he’s hiding in some cave or not; we haven’t heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is – really indicates to me people don’t understand the scope of the mission. > > Terror is bigger than one person. And he’s just – he’s a person who’s now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He’s the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is – as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide – if, in fact, he’s hiding at all. > > So I don’t know where he is. You know, I just don’t spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. I’m more worried about making sure that our soldiers are well-supplied; that the strategy is clear; that the coalition is strong; that when we find enemy bunched up like we did in Shahikot Mountains, that the military has all the support it needs to go in and do the job, which they did. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/17 "2006-01-19T18:59:13Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Nor for the Republicans, if this is just Osama’s way of saying, “Please don’t throw me into the brier patch!” OBL knows the status quo in Iraq is the perfect incubator for Al Qaeda, providing not only an opportunity to kill Americans, but also to whip up anti-Americanism, recruit new suicide bombers around the world, and create the perfect training ground for perpetual Jihad. OBL doesn’t want a truce, nor the withdrawal of Americans; and what better way to guarantee neither will happen than to make Bush think he wants both? You’re wrong on pretty much all counts. First of all, Iraq is NOT a great incubator for al-Qaida. In fact, the Sunni insurgents have been turning on the al-Qaida types and killing them. The Iraq war has been a disaster for al-Qaida. It forced them to fight a terror war in a country full of muslims, and ever since they did, their popularity has plummeted. In fact, that might be what’s going on now - this might be damage control on the part of Bin Laden towards his fellow muslims, trying to repair the tarnished image of al-Qaida in the middle east. ---
**Author:** ![Grossbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba8739/32.png) [@Grossbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grossbottom)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/18 "2006-01-19T19:05:51Z")
He’s not a sovereign capable of declaring peace or war, he’s incapable of enforcing the terms of any agreement as far as the Muslim world is concerned, and for all we know his power is limited to control of a few close bodyguards and his video camera. It doesn’t matter what he offers since he can’t deliver it in any event. The only thing he can promise and deliver is his own head in a basket, and if he offers that, I say we take it. If he doesn’t, I say we elect a commander-in-chief who’s capable of arranging it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/19 "2006-01-19T19:09:11Z")
Does anybody have a link to the **complete & entire text** of the message? Without it, this is debating the number of angels that dance on the head of a pin. :dubious: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685/20 "2006-01-19T19:09:53Z")
This is his standard procedure. The riff is that our “rebuffing” his offer, or refusing to accede, justifies any subsequent attack. l think it follows some interpretation of the letter of Islamic law. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-asks-for-truce-what-is-our-response/340685.md?page=2)