Mistranslated Osama bin Laden Video - the German Press Investigates

Action Report Online ^ | 12/23/2002 | Craig Morris

[Demidog]

Huh?

[tberry]

"Why can a Saudi translator not be found in a multicultural country like the US, especially with the close business relations between the US and Saudi Arabia? [George] Bush Sr. probably knows any number of them himself."

"Of course, if we ever hear about the German analysis in the US press, the reactions will be that some will never believe that OBL is behind the attacks no matter what you tell them. But actually, Americans are just as stubborn in refusing to face facts."

All we ever hear about anything is controlled government spin that always makes us saints and any one that disagrees with us sinners.

Absolute power has persuaded them that they can do no wrong. That is why the constitution tried to limit their power. What I can't understand is why our citizen (sheeple)are so willingly step into their cage.

[mountaineer]

According to Gerry Spence, the US government never plays it straight.

This means a lot, coming from a criminal defense lawyer.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

All we ever hear about anything is controlled government spin that always makes us saints and any one that disagrees with us sinners.

Thank you, Osama, now back to your padded cell!

[TRY ONE]

What about the part on the tape where OBL says: "Ish bien ah Berliner" ....or something like that and also wanting to be there for October Fest.

[Ada Coddington]

This means a lot, coming from a criminal defense lawyer.

He should know because he's dealt with them. You might remember Spence caught the feds in altering evidence during the Weaver trial in addition to playing games with sending transcripts 4th class mail so that they would arrive late.

[Jaidyn]

Amen! I have read several articles denouncing the interpretation by the US but none of them translated the tape in English. That doesn't make sense. Until I see a full translation, I will ignore these types.

[Johnny_Apollo]

Nothing from a foreign language is ever translated 100% into English. I believe he did it, but I also believe he had help from the rest of the Arab nations. I also believe that if we don't act against the Muslim countries now, the west will regret it in the future.

[AmericanInTokyo]

In the Non Verbal Realm, you cannot mistranslate the smiles, laughter and glee when the topic being discussed at that moment by al-Qaida leadership was the slaughter of 3000+ innocent American and international civilians in NYC.

[irish guard]

Do you really think the US only used ONE person to translate this? Get a life!

[Demidog]

Do you really think the US only used ONE person to translate this? Get a life! Nope.I don't beleieve I ever said that.

[Demidog]

I do wish they had published a transcript. I do. Of note however is the errors. It does seem to change the meaning of what was said quite a bit.

[irish guard]

>>>>>The tape was translated by a Saudi not a german. The US used an Egyptian. Why do you think? 9 posted on 1/11/02 6:38 AM Pacific by Demidog<<<<<

I guess it depends on the meaning of "an"!

[Demidog]

We used two according to this article. We used an Egyptian and a former Lebanese according to the USA Today which is quoted here. Neither was Saudi.

[a_witness]

Craig Morris is a translator living in Europe and cannot be trusted with matters of U.S. National Security.

[Demidog]

So you think ANY journalist can be trusted with national security? Why are American journalists more trustworthy?

[larry h]

Sounds like OBL has cranked up his propaganda machine. First a videotape that shows him worn, haggard, and perhaps serioulsy injured.....now a translation that "proves" he didn't know about the attacks. Sounds like, "please stop bombing us" to me!!

[Demidog]

Actually nobody is saying (as far as I know) that this translation proves anything except that the U.S. mis translated.