To go back to Jim's orginal post, what the analysis reveals is the effect of neoconservative (I am not using the term perjoratively) myth-building on ordinary people.

The whole edifice of neoconservative philosophy is based on the teachings of Leo Strauss, who believed the best way to control your populace and impose your moral code on them is to frighten the shit out of them (Germany in the 1930's anyone?).

Previously, the cold war served this problem the evils of communism were constantly touted by the neocons and when the Iron Curtan finally fell, they needed a new enemy, and they readily found one in Islamic extremists.

Bush and the neocons controlling him (Cheney et al) are taking Strauss' methodology to new heights, suggesting Saddam's Iraq has been in collusion with al-Qaeda (contrary to the evidence) and they have successfully bent a large proportion of the population to their will with the essentially mythical constructs of a single world-wide terror network and hordes of red-eyed maniacs knocking on the door of the USA, ready to send it to damnation.

The attack on the WTC and the Pentagon are indicitive of a new wave of desperate ultra-violent measures radicals are willing to take to get people to join their cause. The rather cynical use of these horrific attacks to justify the actions of the US in Afghanistan, Iraq and Cuba is consistent with the neocon policy of pre-emptive strikes on nations it feels threatened by, regardless of internation law.

The real mystery is why nations of intelligent people allow themselves to be lead down this path - but it's happened before, and it will happen again.