[Dark Schwa]

This sounds wierd, but I think I believe him.

It is UNHEARD OF to commit an act of terrorism and then deny involvement. On the contary. Usually after an attack, tons of terrorist organizations phone authorities to claim responsibility. The whole idea of terrorism is to draw attention to yourself and your cause. Why would you deny it?

[GoreNoMore]

I don't think he realized that Bush would be so pissed. Clinton never was. Twin Towers is the CLINTON LEGACY...

[Alberta's Child]

Good point, but then it is also unusual for an act of terrorism to occur without anyone claiming responsibility for it.

[supercat]

It is UNHEARD OF to commit an act of terrorism and then deny involvement.

There is something fishy about all this. While I would not be surprised if Osama Bin Laden was behind this, I'd also not be surprised if some third party (China perhaps?) is trying to push the U.S. into war against the Middle East so that we'll weaken ourselves on that front and be unable to resist an attack from the third party.

[cgbg]

>why deny it.

You may be correct. That is something we should debate after we take out Bin Laden (for past deeds that have yet to be avenged). ;-)

[InterceptPoint]

It is UNHEARD OF to commit an act of terrorism and then deny involvement. On the contary. Usually after an attack, tons of terrorist organizations phone authorities to claim responsibility. The whole idea of terrorism is to draw attention to yourself and your cause. Why would you deny it?

That is the old model. In this case the mid-East roots of the terrorists will be established very quickly and that is apparently enough to send the message that they wanted to send. After that you just deny everything and live to fight another fight.

[Shadolane]

I understand your point, but consider this. Whatever else he is, (murderer, terrorist etc.) he is not stupid. This attack caused the dragon that is America aroused to stir. Admitting responsibility would draw direct attention of the nation and no one wants to be in front of an angry dragon. Too, like so many of his ilk, he seems to spend a lot of time preaching that which he will not practice. Think about it. bin Laden and those like him constantly tell their followers that it is a wonderful thing to die for the cause, yet they take great pains to insure their own longevity. Nefarious planning skills he may have aplenty, but his credibility is low indeed.

[Ratatoskr]

The whole idea of terrorism is to draw attention to yourself and your cause. Why would you deny it?

Nobody took responsibility for the bombing of the World Trade Center. Nobody took responsibility for the recent embassy bombings. Nobody took responsibility for Oklahoma City. Nobody took responsibility for the attack on the Cole.

Terrorism has changed. In recent years, it's become common to deny responsibility.

[steve-b]

There were several organizations claiming responsibility in the first few hours. They all retracted their claims when it became evident that this was the straw that broke the camel's back, and that there was going to be hell to pay this time.