[Tricorn]

"Just like Saddam, right?"

Bin Laden has never done anything "just like Saddam". Prior to Dec 2001, Bin Laden couldn't keep his mug OFF video. What has changed between Dec 2001 and Jan 2004? Bin Laden, and his entire AQ organization, is starting to seem ridiculous. Definitive proof of UBL's survival would be huge for them at a time when they need it more than ever. And yet all we get are these bogus audiotapes that WE -- not they -- authenticate. Poor strategic choice on their part, if it is indeed a choice, as you suggest.

[cyncooper]

Prior to Dec 2001, Bin Laden couldn't keep his mug OFF video.

Not exactly.

What has changed between Dec 2001 and Jan 2004?

Obviously he has changed his appearance.

Bin Laden, and his entire AQ organization, is starting to seem ridiculous.

Yeah, no threat whatsoever. (/sarcasm)

There is zero evidence that he is dead. There is evidence aplenty, including intelligence from multiple countries, and these audio tapes that have been authenticated and refer to recent events, that point to his being alive.

Furthermore, our government has outright said he's alive, and spare me the "they're just saying that for strategic reasons" nonsense. There is zero evidence that that's how our guys handle these kind of things. Just the opposite.