Osama gets a makeover Update: Video reportedly authentic…and recent

By Michelle Malkin  •  September 6, 2007 06:00 PM

newosama.jpg

Update 9/7 12:00pm Eastern. All the latest. The White House has the tape. Apparently authentic and recent.

Update 1025pm Eastern. Allah says reports are buzzing that the video is coming tonight.

***

The SITE website is down at the moment, but they’ve got the scoop on the alleged bin Laden video to be released in the next 72 hours:

Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden plans a new video addressing the American people regarding the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, terror monitoring groups said Thursday.

SITE Intelligence Group said an Internet announcement of the plan included a photo of the al-Qaida leader from the upcoming video—his beard, which in previous messages had been streaked with gray, was entirely dark.

Wonder if he got Botox, too?

Rita Katz, director of the Washington-based SITE Institute, said bin Laden’s beard appeared to have been dyed, which she said is a popular practice in the Middle East.

“I think it works for their benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy,” Katz said of the new image.

Allah’s got the pre-Grecian formula compare and contrast; he smells “special gift.”

Rusty at the Jawa Report muses: “Look at the two pics AllahP has up. Isn’t it odd that bin Laden is wearing the same outfit? What could that mean?”

More from Rusty:

Prediction 1: Any “new” video of Osama will be him talking in generalities, conveniently wearing same clothes as previous videos, only everything looks a bit darker in it. What, you don’t think al Qaeda editor at large Adam Gadahn doesn’t know how to use video editing tools, which include simple color and tone “fixes”?

Prediction 2: Anything “new” that could possible serve as “proof of life” will actually be audio overlaid on to static photos of bin Laden.

Posted in: Jihadists

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Comments


  1. #125396
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:16 pm, derel3433 said:

    this better be danceable. his earlier stuff was so cool. sort of magnetic fields meets manu chao

  2. #125397
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:17 pm, slp said:

    The question is “Is it live or is it Memorex?”

    Is this new video of Osama or reruns from 2 years ago?

  3. #125398
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:18 pm, ajmontana said:

    Wonder if he got Botox, too?

    Thats funny. :)
    He’s still the ugliest coward I have ever seen.

  4. #125401
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:22 pm, Leatherneck said:

    Shut the bloddy hell up Osama! You moon god worshiping POS!

    ROPMA

  5. #125414
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:34 pm, John Ansell said:

    Is this Karl Rove’s last event? (I can just hear the libbies thinking that now.)

  6. #125416
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:36 pm, purplepeep said:

    slp said:
    The question is “Is it live or is it Memorex?”

    Only his, and John Edward’s, hairdresser knows for sure.

  7. #125418
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:39 pm, MagicalPat said:

    I predict that millions of people will start living in caves because of the youth enhancing effects.

  8. #125419
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:40 pm, Regulus said:

    I won’t watch Osama’s Grecian Formula ad unless I know it’ll be moderated by those two goof-ball announcers in some of their other ads:

    “Here comes ol’ Graybeard, trying to ‘talk sense’ to the American people –”

    BRUISED, and REFUSED!!

  9. #125426
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:48 pm, almeehan said:

    Whether alive or dead he is a very dangerous man who has instilled jihad fever in many many muslim people. God only knows how much blood he will have on his hands when he meets his Maker and I don’t mean allah. We must take these people very serious because they are like the tide, they will continue to come back time after time. We have a two front war: worldwide islamic jihad and the liberals/media of the west.

  10. #125427
    On September 6th, 2007 at 6:51 pm, John Ansell said:

    I’m wondering if his make over cost less than $400?

  11. #125431
    On September 6th, 2007 at 7:00 pm, RedWinged Blackbird said:

    “Look at the two pics AllahP has up. Isn’t it odd that bin Laden is wearing the same outfit? What could that mean?”

    He doesn’t get many opportunities to go shopping?

  12. #125437
    On September 6th, 2007 at 7:11 pm, trinitytim said:

    One .50 calibre round between the eyes or one Hellfire missile from an AH-64. Either one’s fine with me. Now that’s a picture I could get into.

  13. #125442
    On September 6th, 2007 at 7:24 pm, purplepeep said:

    Regulus said:
    I won’t watch Osama’s Grecian Formula ad unless I know it’ll be moderated by those two goof-ball announcers in some of their other ads:

    i’ll watch, but only if they have that YouTube Snowman on to serve as his interpreter.

  14. #125448
    On September 6th, 2007 at 7:44 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Don’t you hate it when mass murdering thugs start to look a little older?

    He may be miffed that he’s not the worst person in the world anymore…

  15. #125449
    On September 6th, 2007 at 7:46 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    So, either he is going through a mid-life crisis or he is making an appearance on ‘Pimp my jihadist’.

  16. #125453
    On September 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pm, uhangtight said:

    It is a photo shop. the beard doesn’t quite fit, look at it! unless he has gone into a complete makeover, but wearing the same outfit and it doesn’t look the least bit worn or tattered from running cave to cave? Something is amiss. My guess, this is a memorex moment.

  17. #125454
    On September 6th, 2007 at 8:08 pm, bear1909 said:

    Bush picked a good date for the Petraeus Report. On the heels of Katie Courva’s CBS Baghdad gig and Osama’s barrel-o-monkies site gag. Let’s see how reality bites for the Dhimmis.

  18. #125456
    On September 6th, 2007 at 8:15 pm, josetheguerilla said:

    Is Osama going to be wearing his MSNBC hat???????

  19. #125460
    On September 6th, 2007 at 8:25 pm, purplepeep said:

    uhangtight said:
    It is a photo shop. the beard doesn’t quite fit, look at it!

    The head, it’s size and it’s positioning look a little funny, but that just may be the photo. I can’t tell if it’s been “pasted on”.

    I’d assume he’s still around anyway and look to have him liquidated.

  20. #125463
    On September 6th, 2007 at 8:33 pm, changjin89 said:

    Good evening, all. Is it possible that the yellow tent in the photograph is pitched within a large, relatively comfortable masonry structure in downtown Quetta or Peshawar? Of course, neighborhood elders would help make sure that all within for blocks around is no business of any importunate outsiders. Rudyard Kipling might have had a chance, though.

  21. #125484
    On September 6th, 2007 at 9:32 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Is it possible that the yellow tent in the photograph is pitched within a large, relatively comfortable masonry structure in downtown Quetta or Peshawar?

    He might be next door to the mysterious Mr.Hsu. Can’t find either of them. Or next door to Geraldo – he wouldn’t rat out his neighbors.

  22. #125492
    On September 6th, 2007 at 10:03 pm, geminicontender said:

    He may have Edwards hair stylist,.

  23. #125503
    On September 6th, 2007 at 10:57 pm, ajmontana said:

    I have mixed feelings as to what this turd burper is going to spew. I think we are wiping out his little cronies and the one’s that are left arent exactly phi beta kappa. Still dangerous ? yes, but he’s losing and I’m not sure if I care to hear what that caveman has to say.

  24. #125512
    On September 6th, 2007 at 11:18 pm, Always Right said:

    NEWS BULLETIN FROM NEW BIN LADEN TAPE:

    According to Osama Bin Laden,

    9-11 Was an INSIDE JOB !!! BUSH DID IT ALL !!!

    Plus, Osama has a man-crush on Ron Paul.

    Film to follow….

  25. #125526
    On September 7th, 2007 at 12:35 am, PBoilermaker said:

    I question the timing.

    (SOMEONE had to say it)

  26. #125542
    On September 7th, 2007 at 1:14 am, purplepeep said:

    geminicontender said:
    He may have Edwards hair stylist,.

    Maybe Edwards is his hair stlyist.

  27. #125545
    On September 7th, 2007 at 1:25 am, derel3433 said:

    nothing like a little osama video to remind us how important it is for us to stay in iraq. viva la surge!

  28. #125559
    On September 7th, 2007 at 2:40 am, Alphonse said:

    Bush will say we’re winning and bin Laden will say they’re winning. Character counts.

    There must be some sort of sanctuary agreement. One can only wonder why we haven’t been attacked again with Bush holding the borders open invitingly. If 13,000 Mexicans can get in each day I’m sure a few terrorists could also.

  29. #125569
    On September 7th, 2007 at 3:16 am, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:

    I for one will be looking very carefully for evidence to support Rusty’s predictions, because the predictions indicate that Rustry has been around the block a few times.

    I’m considered something of an expert on this kind of thing professionally, sorta, in a way, so I’ll be looking hard. Some things to watch out for:

    1. One thing that will make me suspicious right off the bat is if we are only ever treated to a choppy, low-res version online, where nuances are hidden by the poor picture quality.

    2. Another thing to watch out for is rambling sentences and non-sequitors; these kinds of things happen when broken phrases are carefully laid in to fit the movements of the mouth.

    3. Meaningless cuts and breaks in continuity. These guys have never been Alfred Hitchcock. They tend to shoot often in a single unbroken shot. If we see breaks in continuity, and use of graphics intercut between sentences, we can suspect that editorial manipulation as at play.

    The other side of the coin is that they really never took filmmaking 101, and noting that Osama beard was looking too grey, instead of a subtle makeup job on the beard, they did it like any hamfisted knucklehead and just colored it all black, stood back and applauded (I rather do think this kind of primitive handling is more than possible. Once again, with resources dwindling and the lifestyle hard and secretive, the few close to Bin Laden are likely to not be the slickest television stylists in the world.) It also shows a bit of defensive posturing if they feel a need to give the guy a facelift, so to speak, when a grey beard would give Bin Laden a wisened leader look. If they’re trying to make him look like a youthful, physical man, it suggests to me that panic is setting in, and that’s a good thing. Anyway, we’ll see.

  30. #125579
    On September 7th, 2007 at 5:20 am, AlohaGuy said:

    For a second I thought he bought Catro’s beard off e-bay, but it’s too dark.

    Wait, I just saw a clip on satellite…

    Osama: “I’m 6′5″, I have a wide stance. I was tapping my foot sure, and I reached down to pick up a piece of TP because I already used one, and the one sheet rule is sheet if you catch my drift. But I am not gay, and have never been gay. I have never even used Ben-Gay. Ok, I dressed like a woman once to make my escape, but I kept wearing that dress as a disguise, not because I am gay, because I am not gay. Let me just take the time to give a shout out to Geraldo.”

  31. #125606
    On September 7th, 2007 at 7:33 am, Dandapani said:

    Bin Laden is not Bin Lookin too good!

  32. #125608
    On September 7th, 2007 at 7:39 am, DesertLover said:

    I’m looking forward to the Osama TV infomercial that says

    “Going Out Of Business … Everything in the cave marked down 100%”

  33. #125630
    On September 7th, 2007 at 8:28 am, DesertLover said:

    Does this qualify as an “Extreme Makeover”

  34. #125636
    On September 7th, 2007 at 8:36 am, Boomer said:

    I’m willing to bet good money he has already taken the dirt nap and has met his 72 Virginians who are roasting him in hell as we type.

  35. #125644
    On September 7th, 2007 at 8:41 am, JConrad999 said:

    It’s not a recent video.

  36. #125687
    On September 7th, 2007 at 9:40 am, xler8bmw said:

    What’s wrong with our government? A 3 yr old could tell you it was photoshopped. Personally I think he’s dead and he has been for a while.

  37. #125700
    On September 7th, 2007 at 10:00 am, JohntheChristian said:

    I’m still not convinced he’s alive. I mean… he could be…. but…. we havn’t had any video proving he’s alive.

    If he were, wouldn’t it be a great propaganda boom to videotape him holding today’s newspaper?

  38. #125713
    On September 7th, 2007 at 10:16 am, davidcaskey said:

    To me, the two pictures seem to be of different men.

    Also, I have heard that Osama has kidney failure. Does anyone know if that is true? If it is then the new picture is definitely not him as renal failure over a period of time significantly changes a persons appearence. Also, I he has renal failure, why hasn’t the US found him? The equipment for this is very specialized and not widely available. You could easily track any of the material he needed to live.

    I think the man died many years ago. I know airforce personel that related a story of obtaining DNA from several bodies in the original fighting. The story made it sound very suspicious that they had killed the man. I reason that the US would not release this info would be pretty obvious.

  39. #125844
    On September 7th, 2007 at 1:04 pm, Skeptic said:

    Osama is the jihadi’s Jar jar Binks. It has taken their CGI team this long to create a grainy video of their worshipped idol.

    Humiliation is the only solution for this false leader. Much like veneration that little boys have for Robin Hood Bin Laden has been made into something that he is not.

    Osama Jar Jar is a CGI creation.

  40. #125850
    On September 7th, 2007 at 1:09 pm, John Ansell said:

    Great, Another Pirate Video: The return of Black beard.

  41. #125966
    On September 7th, 2007 at 3:44 pm, limmo said:

    Could it be a different guy? His nose looks shorter than it used to. Did he get a nose job too?

  42. #125967
    On September 7th, 2007 at 3:46 pm, limmo said:

    He’ll ride for ever ‘neath the mounts of Pakistan. He’s the man who’ll never return.

  43. #125975
    On September 7th, 2007 at 4:03 pm, twoninerkilo said:

    Bet the libs are sweating it out till air time. He’s probably going to give Shrillery his endorsement for POTUS. That did wonders for Kerrys.

  44. #125976
    On September 7th, 2007 at 4:05 pm, RobM1981 said:

    Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me…

  45. #126024
    On September 7th, 2007 at 6:04 pm, Summernite said:

    Not only does the nose look different, so does the right eye. And can someone tell me how a beard gets thicker with age?
    Remember that Funeral of over 100 Taliban caught on video? Bin Laden has Bin Layin in dirt for a couple of years.

  46. #126091
    On September 7th, 2007 at 9:38 pm, Sergeant Tim said:

    Hey, it is Osama bin Liberal. LOL!

  47. #126097
    On September 7th, 2007 at 9:49 pm, mojoe said:

    I’m ccrrraazzzy Osama!

    Our prices, and our ideology are innssaannne!

  48. #126111
    On September 7th, 2007 at 10:50 pm, i b squidly said:

    Did he steal Obama’s stump speech?

  49. #126149
    On September 8th, 2007 at 2:17 am, Impacted Wisdom Truth said:

    And can someone tell me how a beard gets thicker with age?

    It doesn’t get thicker. He’s gotta be wearing a Merkin.

  50. #126165
    On September 8th, 2007 at 5:43 am, AlohaGuy said:

    Some 18 hours later, Leno has a clip of bin Laden saying he’s not gay…ha! (see #30 above) :)

  51. #126223
    On September 8th, 2007 at 11:02 am, jbirish said:

    Comparing this photo with earlier ones, I don’t think the new one is OBL. Facial features are too different
    Mr Conservative Cat has it right.

  52. #126257
    On September 8th, 2007 at 12:54 pm, limmo said:

    Ok, I just watched the tape and the guy only moves his lips for 2 minutes, during which he ain’t talking current events. After that, it’s freeze frame. I say the guy, because I’m thinkin’ old tape or fake beard. I thinking Weekend At Bernies. I’m thinking if this guy is Osama THIS WEEK, then I’m Al Zawahiri, and I know where I can buy a fake beard! I’m spelling 71 virgins.

  53. #126440
    On September 9th, 2007 at 5:07 am, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:

    A couple of comments on the Bin Laden tape from this particular media guy:

    1. His speech, while peppered with left-wing ideologies, strikes a few right ones, too, like lower taxes. Generally, in these regards it seems as though he’s illustrating the fact of a great fear of conservatives: that our left-wing media is supplying he and his followers with too many talking points.

    2. Much of this speech sounds like a departure for him. I previously suggested here that I’d be suspicious of both rambling speeches and breaks in continuity. In this we have both. Therefore -

    3. I can’t help but wonder if Bin Laden is no longer in charge, but is being somehow kept as a figurehead. On the video there is a definate energy lacking. This could be due to fatique or his reputed illness, naturally. But the freeze frame with the sudden change in policy points creates fascinating scenarios which should at least be considered, even if only briefly. We have no idea of his whereabouts, condition, and little apparent knowledge of who is immediately in his midst.

    The freeze frame could be a glitch, we’ll only know if a better version is released. But the glitch seems to occur when he starts to break away from his usual talking points. Big point of suspicion on that one. Could be a coincidence, of course – but.

    So let’s throw this one out for the sake of covering all the bases: He may no longer be in charge. He was propped up before the cameras, possibly drugged, and either pieces of of speeches were cut together, there was voice impersonator (the Gov/ analysis can tell us the liklihood of that one) or he was reading a speech prepared and for some reason – a gun to his head, he needed constant stop-and-start prompting, whatever – is why the freeze frame occurs. This is highly speculative and could be 100% wrong, so I don’t throw alot of immediate weight behind it. However, for whatever reason, I’m suddenly struck with the gut feeling that he’s no longer actually in charge. It might also explain the dark beard, something suddenly out of character for him. Perhaps his “handlers” felt it was necessary. Something about this whole thing just feels wrong, and we should be considering all the possibilities, no matter how fanciful.

  54. #126492
    On September 9th, 2007 at 12:22 pm, pressto said:

    I don’t believe the video is real. I believe Bin Ladin died back in Dec 2001 after we bombed Tora Bora, but there is no way to check the caves there.

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