Bin Laden likes Bush, Rove likes Bin Laden. Each sees the other as an easily manipulated tool of propaganda. For Rove and the various Neocon groups, Bin Laden and the other terrorists are an very convient enemy. A foe that might turn any anywhere, can justify any action and because almost everything involved is classified can easily provide cover for a huge range of other things. And for Bin Laden, Al Queda and the other terrorists, Bush is the sort of heavy handed oppressor who's actions only make the terrorists look better.

There are a lot of people who realize that and then jump to conspiracy theories. That is where a lot of the Bin Laden is still on the CIA payroll and the all of Al Queda is a CIA plot to justify the US invasion of other countries stuff comes from.

These people see the mutual manipulation and conclude there has to be something intentional or planned about it. But in fact each side is just being opportunistic and working towards their own advantage.

This is one of those cases where having a good general grounding in science is helpful. A good understanding of how biological systems form helps to understand how political and social systems form and evolve. You can see how these complex systems can come into existance even though everybody involved is just acting in their own self interest. Too many people see these complex systems and start thinking intelligent design and conspiracy theories. But with a little understanding of biology and eveolution you can see how they arise without any designer at all.

Jay