Let the world judge for itself
In the country that personifies the principle of freedom of the press, one man - without even setting foot in the land of the free - has succeeded, through the sheer horror of his actions, in literally spitting in the face of this most sacred of American values.
So terrified have the Americans become of this man that they have allowed themselves to call a time-out on one of the cornerstones of the American way of life - an act that at other times would have been buried under a mountain of criticism.
By giving in to the US government's request that statements by Osama bin Laden be censored, the American media has created a precedent that would gleefully be cited by less tolerant regimes to justify current and future crackdowns against the free flow of information - it would all be in the interest of national security.
The reason for 'gagging' Osama - that his statements would have an inflammatory influence on Muslim sentiments around the world and hence, would be detrimental to US interests is both nonsensical and short-sighted.
Nonsensical because even if Osama had not spoken one word since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, the current US-led military action against Afghanistan alone would be enough to inflame Muslim passions in various parts of the world, as they already have.
Short-sighted because censoring Osama would take away the vital counterpoint that is so crucial in showing how misguided the man is. An incessant, one-way information flow of televised addresses by George Bush and company who are fond of phrases such as "this is a battle between good and evil".
Would over time make them sound less credible and only succeed in insulting the intelligence of the Muslim world - everyone knows how 'good' the Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Northern Alliance governments, all praiseworthy members of the American-led coalition, have been for and to their people.
Let the world listen to what Osama has to say, and let the world come to its own conclusion of what type of person he is.
