As much as I liked you being right, I don't think that's how it's going to turn out.

One thing you (self-admittedly) don't quite understand, respectively you are a bit naive about it, Cenk: if you are filthy rich and connected (that was Saddams mistake: he disconnected himself), you won't be held accountable for anything! Just look at Dick Cheney. I bet Osama and Dick secretly hold each other in high regards, they have done so much for each other's cause..

According to many insiders - including Carmen bin Laden - Osamas connection to his family's business and the Saudi royalty never weakened. My guess is, he never lost his ability to travel in that region, maybe even worldwide. I don't think Saudi private jets are subject to regular customs control. Last time I checked they were pampered by BushCo and even flown in government airplanes. Idk how that changed under the Obama administration.

Going a little further, I think he maybe even is living in the basement of one of his family's palaces in a custom-designed cave made from genuine Pakistani rocks or something like that. I also don't think he is in desperate need for donations, except for donations of willing youngsters maybe. That guy had billions and had no troubles raising money everywhere in islamic countries... Most of the "employees" work for (eternal) kicks anyway, so how should he have run out of money? Of course the richest scum-bags always complain the loudest about being in need for money, just look at wallstreet.

On a sidenote: how many stories of his various diseases have we heard? Some years back he was claimed to be on dialysis, which would be an awesome accomplishement to sustain in a cave somewhere (except for that basement cave).

Bottom line: Osama won't go away soon. I hope I am wrong. But I don't want him killed. I want him in prison, untortured, but with enough media coverage to show how pathetic he is, how he was using his fellow muslims for silly power plays.

by eborujion on 06/18/2009 07:15:39 AM EST

I think it extremely unlikely that he is being protected and flown around in this fashion.  He is much too great a liability.  If it were to become public knowledge that he was being harbored and by whom it could translate into a financial catastrophe for the party or parties involved.   The American government would use this as a perfect excuse to freeze or even seize assets.  Most western European countries would do the same.   I don't think they'd risk it.  I think he's caused the Saudis so much trouble that they want nothing further to do with him.

by bfaul on 06/18/2009 09:59:35 AM EST

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I don't think the war on terror or anything related to it had any negative consequences on ARAMCO, on the contrary, I suppose. The risk of being exposed in public is really infinitesimally small, even if Osama sits right in the Saudi embassy in Washington... (I admit that sounds really outlandish) Let alone if he is somewhere in Saudi Arabia... No way, no chance ever getting a warrant, even if someone dares to think of that.

You would think that after 9/11 with 16(?) Saudi hijackers and Osama bin Laden as the Saudi Mastermind that some assets were frozen? No, I don't think so... Rather a different country was invaded! Who controls the oil is above the law!

I read quite a bit about Carmen bin Laden (that's why I mentioned her), she was Osama's sister in law (divorced, of Swiss descent). She lived with the Bin Ladens for years. Osama's "piousness" and zealous hate was very highly regarded by the whole family and the Saudi King, in their minds, he is a true islamic hero! Some may see him as a liability, but they would never betray or repudiate him.

by eborujion on 06/18/2009 04:56:23 PM EST

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