...but while I'd love to find something like that to use against the frightening wave of anti-arab sentiment that's rushing throughout the US, so far it doesn't make any sense.

What does CNN have to gain from that? And if it wasn't actually happening, why haven't any of the countries denied it? Also, those events were confirmed independently by an ABCNews correspondent who has friends in that area (according to that correspondent).

And finally, if it was CNNs wish to stir up trouble, why would the media go to such lengths to stress, even as the tape was being shown, that such celebrations were NOT participated in by all groups, and that in fact the leaders of the countries the celebrations were taking place in were condeming the attacks instead of joining in?

I guess I won't completely discount it simply because I read an article somewhere that CNN has lost a lot of the respect it once had, and they might be trying a ratings boost, but to be honest I'm having trouble mustering up that much cynicism -- and when it comes to the media, I can muster rather a lot.