By the way, an update: Apparently my take that the guy was here in an H1B was incorrect, so subtract that point. Also, add the idea that he was having some serious problems with the english language which caused social probelms. However, it appears the rest of the feel was correct.

Congrats. On that occasion you made the cut. Anjin, as an example, never has... not that I'd expect him to be able to.

Uh, let me go out on a limb here, but I suspect that Baitullah Mehsud is in direct and continuous communication with some folks in the Pakistan ISI who have all the latest thingys. Just a hunch.

Very good. Only took you two tries to get my point. You're getting better at this.

It does interest me, however, that such an individual would have the information about the attack that quickly. Unless Satellite equipped TV's are more the norm than I know in that region, that seems a question worth some research.

Jesus, Bit, what are you driving at? I know it may come as a surprise to you, but we do have, ah whatayacallit, oh yeah, global mass communications now. I hear it's near instantaneous, too.

So as Mehsud admits guilt, I am in favoring treating him as if he were guilty. Dropping a Mk-82 down his chimney would be an apt response. Then he will no be in position to take credit for killing Americans.

That's not a bad idea, you know.

However on the the other hand, I am not opposed to taking Mehsud at his word. Allowing people to take credit for attacks on our country is simply not in our national security interest. So as Mehsud admits guilt, I am in favoring treating him as if he were guilty. Dropping a Mk-82 down his chimney would be an apt response. Then he will no be in position to take credit for killing Americans.

I live about three hours out of Binghamton. I've worked in that market, and still have contacts in the region. Suffice it to say, my sources of news are possibly more effective than what some of you have to bring to bear, on this one.

My understanding of the situation (As of Friday Night at least):

The guy just got laid off from his job at IBM. That much we know We also know he's from Vietnam.

Here's where speculation... and I admit that's what this is... comes into play.

From what I know of his work history, (he's moved around rather a lot over the years, Los Angeles was one of a few stops along his trajectory) it seems likely he's here on some kind of a work permit, possibly an H1B. when he got laid off, by definition, the H1B expired, as well. He was about to be sent back to Vietnam.

If he can't have citizenship, well, neither can the rest of these poor sots. Boom.

Again, that's speculation. But, it does rather neatly fit the known facts.

-=-=-=

Now, as to he Pashtun, let me remind the reader of the many attacks on Israel by various groups... where for every bombing there's at least a half dozen groups and usually more, claiming to be responsible for the attack, trying to better their own fortune and prestige in the terrorist world. This claim seems a page from that book.

It does interest me, however, that such an individual would have the information about the attack that quickly. Unless Satellite equipped TV's are more the norm than I know in that region, that seems a question worth some research.