[discostu]

No one is saying that there aren't tons of ways OBL could get messages out. But video is the best. A well organized system can get messages out with just one visual indicator, things so subtle as: what kind of gun he's packing, how far up his cammo jacket is buttoned, what poster is over one of his shoulders. Little things like that can tell people what envelope to open and which plan to put into action. And they don't have to be exclusive, one single photo could contain hundreds of those cues. The great part about cues like that is they're undetectable and one single frame can send the entire message. And a video can't be traced, and form of radio signal can be homed in on. Overall it's the safest and most effective form of secure communication.

[DJ88]

But why would he want a video released that proves his guilt to the world? What message would that send to "sleeper cells"? I can see your point on the other videos that we asked not to be aired here, but this one surely proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that not only did he PLAN IT, he was also greatly pleased that it went better than he had hoped.

One reason the President may want this released to the American public is to prove that there is a reason for military tribunals. Who could watch this tape and then serve on a jury? ;-)

[gfactor]

Overall it's the safest and most effective form of secure communication.

safer and more effective than "tune in at 7 pm kabul time for the 5 minute Taliban news update"? It doesn't even have to be that, it could be some choice of music on some other, completely unrelated shorwave station.

please. its hokey. again. whats the message? "kill gringos tomorrow"? what if my station doesn't show the tape? thats some real "effective" communication. But its nice to think that we are up against masterminds. Really they're just people with airline schedules, box-cutters, a wish to die, and the ability to commit credit card fraud. other than the wish to die, petty criminals really.

[KC_Conspirator]

... what poster is over one of his shoulders.

Or if Bert from Sesame Street is over his shoulder.