I saw this show, it was very interesting. I personally think Al Qieda, while they are real are not the terrible threat they are presented to be. I think, that the myth of Bin Laden as this terrible evil master terrorist in some fortress somewhere actually hides a more powerful truth. The weapons of destruction are so powerful, so great, that even the slightest man can cause an attack like 9/11 - it doesnt take some evil master terrorist, it takes 20 religious bigots, a few flight lessons and kitchen knives.
I dont see Bin Laden as a great evil doer, I see him as an articulate and intelligent racist and religious bigot, a hatemonger with a good speaking style. A lot of what he says may seem resonant but what lies behind it is petty hate and intolerance.
I found the profile of Sayyed Qutb far more interesting, and found him to be a far more interesting and ambivalent case.
I am sure the whole theme reminded many people of the following exchange, which remains as true today as when it was spoken:
Göring: "Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."
Gilbert: "There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."
Göring: "Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
if anyone is interested in the show:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/video1037.htm
sorry if repost of link