For Some Reason, I Find This Character Point Illuminating

Al Qaeda has leaked information that it's going to release a videotape in celebration of 9/11. The tape will star Osama bin Laden, the most terrifying man in the world. Sophisticated in the ways of media, a new bin Laden publicity still has been released in advance of the tape.

One difference in his appearance was immediately obvious. The announcement had a still photo from the coming video, showing bin Laden addressing the camera, his beard fully black. In his past videos, bin Laden’s beard was almost entirely gray with dark streaks.

Bin Laden lives in the most isolated place in the world, and yet his vanity is such that he had someone pack-in the consumer products it takes to dye hair. Then, perhaps by the light of torches in his cave, he followed the instructions on the back of the box, mixing the chemicals and dabbing them onto his beard. He waited the prescribed length of time and then rinsed, checking to make sure everything was just so.

I honestly don't know what this says about him, but I'm absolutely sure it says something. I wonder what the intelligence analysts make of it.

Comments

[wally]

One wants to look good for all those virgins waiting in paradise.

[Conrad]

OBL's big news was that the under the Caliphate, the maximum marginal tax rate will be 2.5%. Maybe this jihad thingy is worth a second look. . . .