Who knows, but I think if he were dead, then somebody would step forward to claim the reward. Perhaps someone has and we just haven't heard about it, but no matter.

What does matter vis-a-vis Osama bin Laden is verification of his guilt, complicity or involvement in the horrific events of September 11, 2001.

To this point, I have seen no convincing evidence - indeed hardly any evidence at all beyond questionable hearsay - tying Osama bin Laden to Black Tuesday.

That is the real issue here - not Mr. bin Laden's continued existence, but his guilt in these events.

While we're waiting for that - and I'm not holding my breath - we are also still waiting for some rationale tying the proposed attack on Iraq to the events of 911.

sp