Talk about frivolous savages. Nearly everyone remembers when people mocked medieval debates about how many angels can dance on the head of a needle. These guys would debate who is an infidel and when you can cut their heads off. Islam is in crisis and won't even address the lunacy it's let loose.
My point is, hatred for the US (and of COURSE these folks were calling each other great patriots and great Americans on that site) here and in Al Qaeda seems to have a focusing effect. With all the problems in the world, the "complexity" these sorts are always talking about, it comes down to "US = Bad". Even as they are saying some bewildering things ("I'm not saying the west is better than the Middle East but it's more open-minded towards minorities, women, etc."---how is that NOT BETTER???), they keep that focus on US = Bad.
That's why AQ is thriving in pockets while there are divisions in the ranks like this article talks about. You don't need to know anything except US = Bad to be an AQ member, a liberal, or an "open minded" hater who keeps saying over and over he's a real patriot.