CNBC, PRNewswire, or AP?
Ok, this is too much. Osama (remember him?) is apparently a victim of the global economic downturn, and is being forced to franchise the al-Qaida™ brand to terrorist groups around the world, even in embattled Somalia…
Here’s an excerpt - you decide (link below):
…[Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael] Maples said the Somali extremist group al-Shabaab is poised to formally merge with al-Qaida, expanding the terrorist franchise in East Africa. An analysis of the propaganda released by both groups recently highlights their ideological similarities, suggesting a merger is forthcoming, Maples said.
Al-Shabaab conducts almost daily attacks in Somalia. A merger would strengthen al-Qaida’s foothold in East Africa…
Here’s the answer.
“Merge?” Terrorist “franchise”
Interesting terms, hey what? So, can we expect an effort to assign responsibility for the economic and financial Armageddon that is descending upon the Earth to al-Qaida?
WHEW! Good thing it’s not the investment bankers’ faults!
Do you see anything here that would qualify him to comment on this. Just some guy in a uniform, that’s how I see him. Oh… Texas? Pacific Lutheran? Palin? Republican? Geez, don’t these people know about Wikipedia?
Maples, a native of Bonham, Texas, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1971. He holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Pacific Lutheran University. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
another Lutheran U. graduate is Sean Parnell.
Parnell, an attorney by training, attended Pacific Lutheran University (B.B.A. 1984) and University of Puget Sound School of Law (J.D. 1987). He is admitted to the bar in both Alaska and Washington D.C.
AND
Parnell has been endorsed by Governor Palin, and National Review magazine. and the Club for Growth
Sean R. Parnell (born November 19, 1962, Hanford, California) is the current Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, taking office in 2006 alongside Governor Sarah Palin.