In what is shaping up to be an east-versus-west, worldwide conflict, it is not surprising that both sides have been spewing its share of rhetoricand propaganda. It is also not surprising how similar the propaganda has been. A point-by-point comparison of Bush’s post-attack speech and bin Laden’s post-attack statement (though, being filmed during the day, it was clearly made before the nighttime raids) reveals that both men are saying essentially the same thing. In what follows, I have simply cut and pasted comments from each individual’s speech, usually with no altercation. Where I have made changes, I have done so only for contextual clarity, with inclusions indicated with brackets and omissions with ellipses. In addition, I have not indicated the individual sources. For most examples it will be obvious, but for some, its eerily similar.

To begin with, both sides see themselves as the liberatorand defender of freedom while calling the enemy an oppressor:

  • The winds of change have come to eradicate oppression from the island of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
  • We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear.

Each side accuses the other of killing innocents:

  • If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocence, they have become outlaws and murderers themselves.
  • They supported the butcher over the victim, the oppressor over the innocent child.

Each side has given its demands unequivocally:

  • I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands.
  • we [must] live [security] in Palestine, and . . . all the infidel armies [must] leave the land of Muhammad

In the case of non-compliance, each side has explained the consequences:

  • neither America nor the people who live in it will dream of security . . .
  • And they will take that lonely path at their own peril.
  • And now, the Taliban will pay a price.

“Terrorism” is the key term in describing each others’ actions:

  • This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism
  • They have come out in force with their men . . . to suppress people in the name of terrorism.

Each man sees the situation as the definitive “us-them” battle, with no middle ground:

  • Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground.
  • These events have divided the whole world into two sides. The side of believers and the side of infidels, may God keep you away from them.

Each leader has made a call for support from his people, no matter what the price:

  • Every Muslim has to rush to make his religion victorious.
  • [We] patience in all the sacrifices that may come.

(Recall that the Taliban leader recently pledge to sacrifice 2 million lives to defend Afghani freedom.)

And, as is the case in every war, each side has made an appeal to God and believes that God is on its side:

  • God is great, may pride be with Islam. May peace and God’s mercy be upon you.
  • May God continue to bless America.

With two equally stubborn, stupid individuals at the forefront of this conflict, there can be little doubt that a horrific conclusion lies somewhere in the future.