Can you believe the Washington Times?
Once in a blue Moon...

This story in the Moonie Times informs us that "transcripts" of interrogations with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, captured Al Qaeda operations chief, reveal plans to brings down the Sears Tower in Chicago and the Library Tower in Los Angeles. We are told that the mighty Bush response to the attacks of September 11 so unraveled Al Qaeda that they had to put all further evilness on hold.

Do we believe this piece? There's one big problem: A very persuasive investigation published in the Asia Times avers that Khalid Shaik Mohammed died in a raid well before his alleged "capture." This earlier Christian Science Monitor report and this Daily Telegraph account confirm the raid, though not the identification of the body. Robert Fisk has also taken a close look at the controversial Khalid -- who, like El Cid, seems to have ridden into battle post-mortem.

If so, then who is the captive pictured in photographs that were broadcast all over the world? That sweaty, surly, burly fellow could be Ron Jeremy, for all we know. Whoever he is, he doesn't much resemble the pre-arrest photo of Khalid Shaik Mohammed.

Note that the WT does not print any substantial part of the actual transcripts -- which they surely would if the scoop were genuine. No other news source has this story. (And why would the FBI not share it more widely?) The only media outlets to pick up on it seem to have derived all their information from the less-than-credible Washington Times.

The few quotes attributed to Shaik Mohammed have a phony-baloney ring:


"Osama had said the second wave should focus on the West Coast," he reportedly said.

But the terrorists seem to have been surprised by the strength of the American reaction to the September 11 attacks.

"Afterwards, we never got time to catch our breath, we were immediately on the run," Mohammed is quoted as saying.


Shaik Mohammed seems to have a penchant for Americanisms, wouldn't you say?

The World Today, on Australian radio, carried the information, but hedged: "Now I'm not sure if this information is based off of leaks from the interrogation with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed or this is something that came out through speculation."

Speculation? How about propaganda?

Bush took a hit from Richard Clarke's testimony, so now the administration has to shore up its rep as The Sheriff Who Keeps Us Safe. Hence, the Shaik Mohammed seance, as brought to you by Reverend Moon's brainwashing brigadiers.