al Qaeda Reaches Out, and CNN's Nic Robertson is There

Osama bin Laden's deputy appears in a new video posted on the Internet a short while ago. Nic Robertson joins us now from Islamabad, Pakistan. What do you know about this tape, Nic?

 

 

Well, we do know the young American who introduces Ayman el-Zawahiri likes to be known as Azzam the American. He is, in fact, known as Adam Gadahn.

 

 

On the tape he says: "This is an invitation to Americans and all non-believers to convert to Islam." He very quickly hands over the message to Ayman el-Zawahiri.

 

 

The message from Ayman el-Zawahiri follows on from Gadahn, saying that this is a message to Americans and all other Westerners, an opportunity to convert to Islam.

 

 

You know, Fredericka, this might be an effort by al Qaeda to reach out to the West.

 

 

You think al Qaeda wants to reach out to the West?

 

 

Just sayin'.

 

 

I'm not following you.

 

 

Well, you know, uh...Adam Gadahn speaks English.

 

 

And?

 

 

And, he, uh...they, uh...

 

 

And, I guess it could be that what they might be doing here is maybe offering the opportunity for people to possibly convert to Islam, and perhaps this is something that they might see as an important thing that they should maybe do...

 

 

Possibly. It's kind of complicated.

 

 

I still don't see how that could be considered reaching out to...

 

 

Look, we might not agree with these guys, but they did say, "Either repent your misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself," so it sounds like they're basically saying they'll leave us alone if we leave them alone. I mean, it's not like they're tring to force anyone to convert.

 

 

Actually, they said "Either repent your misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself and suffer the consequences in this world and the next."

 

 

They did?

 

 

Yes, they did. You're in Islamabad right now, Nic, do you have any sense of...Nic?

 

 

 

 

It looks like we're experiencing some technical difficulties, so...

 

 

Sorry, Fredericka, I was, uh...adjusting my microphone.

 

 

...

 

 

What was the question?

 

 

What is that you're wearing?

 

 

What, this old thing?

 

 

Isn't that a...

 

 

Look, it's a little chilly out here, and Allah forbid I should catch a cold.

 

 

I'm sorry, I've just never seen a man wearing...

 

 

What is this, Project Runway? What was the question?

 

 

Right. Sorry - so, do we know whether these recorded messages from these two men were taken at the same time?

 

 

Fredericka, the only time reference we have heard so far is...

 

 

OK, what is that over your face? And don't tell me it's cold.

 

 

I'd explain it, but you obviously have a lot to learn about modesty.

 

 

What's that supposed to mean?

 

 

Oh, come on - you're on television and you're practically nude!

 

 

Nic Robertson, reporting live from...

 

 

Not that I noticed!

 

 

...reporting live from Islamabad.

Looks like he got the invitation.

 

Comments

[TT]

Fredericka, the only time reference we have heard... Wait a minute I think I hear something...

Yes, I do. It’s a construction crane with a noose...

I have got to sign off now...

[dorkafork]

WHITFIELD: This, uh, requires Jack Cafferty to weigh in, uh, I, uh, I hope, I hope you watched Azzam the American a little bit, Jack.

CAFFERTY (Clearly uncomfortable, grinning, shuffling papers and talking fast) Yeah, no, I did, I, you know, if he hates the West so much how come he calls himself "the American"? Why doesn't he go live, uh, in one of those, uh, other places, where they have all that sand? The midterm elections only about two-and-a-half months away now, (clears throat) pardon me, and it's not too soon to start thinking about an October surprise. This is a term that dates back...

JAY LEVINE: The tape seems to reinforce that this is all just talk. They're just talking about forcibly converting everyone, and it's not like that's going to happen. I mean come on...

WHITFIELD: Who let you in here?

[AnonymousDrivel]

NR: They did?

FW: Yes, they did. You're in Islamabad right now, Nic, do you have any sense of...Nic?

NR:

FW: It looks like we're experiencing some technical difficulties, so...

NR: Sorry, Fredericka, I was, uh...adjusting my microphone.

AHAHAHAHA! Best theater of a great skit. Classic.

[benny bird]

Leave it to the Communist News NEtwork to be the best agents of propeganda that AL QUEDA can ever get i say WOLF BLITZER should be life in prison for aiding and abetting the enemy

[CavalierX]

I'd laugh out loud, but it might be immodest or something. Besides, my fake beard might fall off.

[stiknstein]

Nic Robertson couldn't be a bigger Islamist cheerleader
if he was on their payroll.
The mouth of Sauron.....
Best vidskit you've done man....

Hat Tip from stik.
I stand in awe of your cynicism.

[Jane]

I laughed out loud, I have NO SHAME.

[Janette]

Priceless!!!! One of the funniest things I think I've ever seen.

BRAVO!!!!

[rickinstl]

Nic the douchenozzle is walking around right now wondering why his ass feels like it has a boot stuck in it.

You Sir, are the double-greatest.

Loud, prolonged, applause.

[Claire]

*Standing O*

[MrsJoseGoldbloom]

Too Funny! Unfortunately there are way too many people out there that fall for the crap that certain news medias :::cough-cnn::: like to spread.

[Amador]

Does this mean we're not all going to convert to the religion of piss ?

[Rich]

Seems his sex change opperation was a success.

[wronwright]

Ok, that's twice I visited here and both times I dropped my Pepsi I was laughing so hard. I'm glad someone at Tim Blair's blog mentioned this site. Your stuff is briliant.

I will now add this to my list of blogs to visit every day (up from one).

[John from WuzzaDem]

I'm closing comments on this thread. For some reason it's attracting a lot of comment spam.