Bin Laden--Still America's Most Wanted

As some public figures insist that Osama bin Laden is isolated and impotent, the al- Qaeda founder has issued another video statement on the anniversary of September 11th.

But the damage has been done and bin Laden, 50, with the latest tape, continues to deliver blows against the West. He has become the Che Guevara of the early 21st Century.

The damage, of course, was the devastating September 11th terrorist attacks, and the other attacks as well that were lesser in scale if not ferocity. Bin Laden's direct control of the organization may have been weakened since 9/11. Al-Qaeda was planned from the beginning to continue even without Bin Laden, opening more autonomous franchises in other countries around the world. The one thing bin Laden can and has done is deliver an occasional propaganda blow.

He may be in hiding in the Pakistani-Afghanistan border area, but it seems he can smuggle tapes out once in awhile. His latest tape with topical references prove that he remains alive.

Those tapes themselves are very powerful because Bin Laden has become a living monument and these show that he continues to live despite all of our efforts to destroy him. He may be marginalized as a tactical commander, but he remains visible. At least according to his own schedule. It's the nature of guerrilla warfare that the weaker party can pick and choose the moments it wants to make itself known.

Naturally, even should he die, whatever the circumstances, he becomes an instant martyr to his ruthless cause. Many people feel that since this is unavoidable, then the sooner the better. Even those opposed to war in Iraq or Afghanistan will in most cases approve the death of the bloodthirsty bin Laden, especially if at American hands. The victims of 9/11 demand bin Laden's death.

THE HUNT CONTINUES

Although little is seen of the activity, there is no doubt that, as Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence, told a Senate committee, getting rid of bin Laden and his inner circle "is our number one priority."