UNO geologist: Video tells bin Laden's hiding place

Omaha World-Herald ^ | Published Tuesday | BY MICHAEL O'CONNOR

[Oldsailor]

The image of Osama bin Laden that flickered on Jack Shroder's TV was grainy and brief, but it was all he needed. Jack Shroder, a University of Nebraska at Omaha geologist who has done research in Afghanistan, says a videotape of Osama bin Laden gives important clues to where he might be hiding. "I turned to my wife," Shroder said, "and told her I know where he is." Shroder, a geologist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who has done research in Afghanistan, said the videotape provides important clues on where bin Laden was when the tape was made. He said he has received a number of calls about the video and any help it can provide in finding bin Laden, the chief suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Shroder said he could not say whether any of those calls have been from the federal government, saying he has been told not to discuss the inquiries in detail. He did say he is certain that the type of sedimentary rock visible in the videotape is found only in Paktia and Paktika, two provinces in southeastern Afghanistan about 125 miles from Kabul. Shroder also has examined photographs taken from the tape.

[Oldsailor]

This looks like the we have known Bin Laden's probable location for a few days now

[BlueHorseShoe]

Wow, that's interesting. I hope they get him soon.

[DouglasKC]

Unfortunately the videotape was made in advance. Nobody is sure about how far in advance it was made so he still could be anywhere.

[Dirk McQuickly]

Unfortunately, even if he is in this region, he'll move again. Does anyone know if these tunnels link under the mountains, or do they run into dead ends? I gotta think we're going to have him dead-to-rights within a couple weeks.

[Oldsailor]

I am aware that there are questions as to the exact value of this location , however, it is important enough to get the attention of our Federal Government.

[SamAdams76]

I have difficulty understanding this. What it this geologist talking about and why does he think he found Bin Laden based on what the rocks looked like in the video?

[OldFriend]

Just a passing comment. My daughter graduated from a good university two years ago. She has a BS in Physics and a minor in Math Statistics. She took two years of biology, two years of geology and worked as a TA for the Astronomy Professor for all four years. She applied to the CIA......never even got a reply! Applied to the FBI and was told that there was a backlog of applications and a response would not be forthcoming unless they had an interest in hiring her. Of course, slick willie was president at the time.

[SP67]

Wouldn't this be the type of intelligence we would not want to publicize? Why would this geologist say anything to the media without consulting with our government, and stay mum about it, so we can catch this person?

[TomGuy]

I'm sure the Feds analyze every millimeter of those videos with equipment and personnel from literally hundreds of areas of expertise.

[Bikers4Bush]

You could apply the same principle here in the US. Rock formations in Northern Texas are far different from those in Southern Texas.

It's kind of like a geologic signature.

[Oldsailor]

The article is fairly well written so I just assumed that anyone with an IQ above body temp. would have some understanding of this.

[Walkin Man]

Ossama, can you come out to play?

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Hmmm...if there are vast underground tunnels, perhaps a few canisters of cyanide would create the desired effect...we need to find an entrance

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Hmmm...if there are vast underground tunnels, perhaps a few canisters of cyanide would create the desired effect...we need to find an entrance

[NittanyLion]

I have difficulty understanding this. What it this geologist talking about and why does he think he found Bin Laden based on what the rocks looked like in the video?

If the rock behind Bin Laden was sedimentary, it would suggest that the area was underwater at some recent point in its history. I suspect only southern Afghanistan is at a low enough elevation to have been under a sea in the recent past.

Any experts out there who can back that up or discredit my theory?

[Francohio]

This is important information which does not belong in the open.
Pull, please.

[kempo]

Why is this being made public?

[Oldsailor]

Wow......now that is big time paranoia fer sher. This story is published in a newspaper and I'm sure with the blessing of the US Gov.

[Dog Gone]

At best, this will be able to pinpoint only a region where those particular sedimentary rocks are exposed. Fortunately, Afghanistan is very rugged and mountainous, and to a knowledgeable geologist, a single glimpse of the exposed rock will indicate the particular range where that rock is outcropped.

Unfortunately, that may only narrow it down to a 50 mile area, or so. Still, that helps immensely.

[NittanyLion]

I didn't post it, Francohio. Even so, it's already been published in the Omaha World-Herald.