Not a conspiracy theorist

The "Global War on Terror" has involved many intellectual contortions but one wonders how the White House will manage this one --

Osama bin Laden's chief deputy in an audiotape Tuesday accused Shiite Iran of trying to discredit the Sunni al-Qaida terror network by spreading the conspiracy theory that Israel was behind the Sept. 11 attacks ... Al-Zawahri accused Hezbollah's Al-Manar television of starting the rumor.

"The purpose of this lie is clear — (to suggest) that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no else did in history. Iranian media snapped up this lie and repeated it," he said. "Iran's aim here is also clear — to cover up its involvement with America in invading the homes of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.

It's hard to square any of that with the endless Bush-Cheney-McCain packaging of al Qaeda, Iran, and Hezbollah as a ruthless alliance. Perhaps the White House can team up with the 911 truthers to develop a joint response.