I'm scratching my head over where you're going with this ramble. Methinks you just wanted to find a way to get an anti-American dig in under the guise of responding to a post. Hope you had fun.

As for giving al Qai'da too much credit, I tend to agree with you but not for the reasons you think. Al Qai'da is certainly a very real threat, but it's a matter of perspective. What I find particularly interesting is your rather naive comment that al Qai'da only directs its actions against the United States. Do a little research (yeah, I know, this may require some effort and thinking on your part) and you'll find out that al Qai'da has been mostly active against non-US countries and has killed mostly non-US citizens.

Your blaming of US policy is equally as silly. Before you get your Vickies in a wad, there's a difference between what prompted al Qai'da's campaign as opposed to how the US is responding to it. I agree that the US is not handling this very well and that it should change some of its policies; however, it is exceptionally foolish to suggest (as you implied) that this is the result of previous US policies or of this current administration. Like it or not, the US is the prime target because of what it represents. You can piss and moan about Americans all you wish; your right to express any opinion is the backbone of what we're all about; however, whether you like it or not, attacks against the US offers a much more symbolic victory for terrorists than most other countries. There's no arrogance in this. Believe me, I wish it was your country that had the spotlight.

Getting back to what you attempted to say, I agree that the US needs to codify the threat and do a better job of putting things into proper perspective.