Al Qaeda tape may mention Bill Maher

[LiviaOlivia]

Variety.com
Posted: Thurs., Oct. 28, 2004, 7:01pm PT

Tape may mention Maher
'World' news skein shows clip of pundit
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK


NEW YORK -- Did a new terrorist videotape mention controversial pundit Bill Maher by name? Whether it did or not, ABC News on Thursday night used a fleeting clip of Maher in its report on the tape while noting that the veiled man on the tape talks about American television shows. Maher lost his latenight show on ABC after pronouncing that the 9/11 terrorists were anything but cowards. He's now on HBO.

<snip>

Man on the tape -- warning of another massive terrorist attack in the U.S. -- purports to be a member of Al Qaeda, identifies himself as American and speaks almost perfect English. The portion of the tape referring U.S. television shows wasn't played on "World." Instead, ABC News correspondent Brian Ross mentioned it in narration as a brief clip of Maher was shown. An ABC News rep couldn't immediately answer Thursday night whether Maher was mentioned by the terrorist, or whether his image was used by the news org in a generic way, and if so, why.

Alphabet's news division acquired the tape from a source in Pakistan over the weekend, paying $500 in transportation costs. ABC delayed airing any part of the tape after both the news org and the CIA were unable to confirm its authenticity. The CIA ultimately told ABC that while it still couldn't authenticate it, the tape appears to bear Al Qaeda's markings.

Some news staffers believe the Bush administration leaked the tape's existence earlier in the week as a way to put pressure on the Alphabet to air it in the final days before the election. Bush has made terrorism a chief campaign issue, saying the country won't be safe with John Kerry in the White House.


http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117912676?categoryid=14&cs=1
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note: Alphabet=ABC

[smurfygirl]

1. this whole thing stinks of rove

I mean the guy speaks perfect english, he's american, he mentions the biggest liberal show on tv to suggest we liberals are creating this haven of terrorists. Then ABC only has to pay 500 bucks for the tape. No way, that tape would have been worth much more than that. And how come ABC released it and not Ridge or Ashcroft. This whole thing stinks.

[Born Free]

2. one of Rove's tricks

They should test the voice track agaisnt the Rove henchmen, this thing sounds really more lioke a last minute Rove trick.

[Davion]

3. "We love Bill Mahr, Al Franken, and Jon Stewart"

But fuck you for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Falafel O'Reilly. They are why we will attack you. If you were all like George Carlin, we could be fine, but we HATE Anne Coulter."

Or something like that.

How did I ever believe that side (shakes head in shame).

[DELUSIONAL]

4. Rove promised several October surprises

But this one is really over the top --

The timing of this is suspect --

Playing the fear card to the limit

I guess Rove Couldn't get the fat fake bin Ladin to make another fake video. So he had to hire a white guy. That actor's voice sounds vaguely familiar -- like he's been in a B movie or something. Could be a professional voice over artist?

Congressman Jim McDermott heard the tape and didn't believe it-- he felt it was a Rove fake. (on the Mike Webb show tonight)

[radfringe]

5. booga booga -- take the poll

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2555008

[fujiyama]

6. I'm startin to think

this may actually be their October Surprise.

What happened to Osama?

Then again, there's still some time to go.