The Doomsday Document

What motivates a suicide bomber like the 9/11 terrorists? How did they mentally prepare? How did they convince themselves that they were doing Allah's bidding?
Historian and Middle East expert at the University of Michigan, Juan Cole provides an insight to these questions in his write up, "Al-Qaeda's Doomsday Document and Psychological Manipulation". The Doomsday Document in question is the notes that were found in the lead terrorist, Mohammad Atta's room. Its a bit long (nearly 14 pages), but its definitely a good read. And for that matter, the entire site, www.juancole.com is a must read for anyone interested in the politics of the region. Mr. Cole provides a clear insight into the goings on in the region. Read it.
Moving on, I never thought it would come OTOH this. Let me explain. Yesterday, I brought a movie to watch, 'Kaun Hai Jo Sapnon Mein Aaya' *ing Rakesh Bapat and Richa Pallod. Now, in normal times, I would have been alternately laughing at this movie and getting frustrated, sometimes doing both things. But surprisingly, yesterday I was actually enjoying the movie, its sheer predictableness, its saccharine-sweetness and all. Ok, not enjoying as in DDLJ or Satya, but enjoying as in I-Know-What-Happens-Next. The story, if there be one, is basically Kal Ho Na ho turned upside down. So the boy is from a dysfuncational family, feeling really low, and enter the his knightness(??) in shining armor, who goes on to solve all his problems. Plenty of 'Indian culture' talk here (the family lives in UK), and there is also the oh-so-sweet hook dialogue that is needed in such mushy romances:

Girl: Chalen?
Boy(thinking): Ab to zindagi bhar tumhare saath hi chalna hai..
Girl(aloud): Kuch kaha tumne?
Boy(aloud): Nahin to

And, like a cherry on the topping, there is a surprise ending. No, I won't spoil anyone's suspense here, but let me just say, the story makes some rather deft moves, direction-wise, between the last 10 and the last 2 minutes.
Oh yes, I almost forgot, an unintended highlight of this film is a temple chanting scene, where a pandit with hair like one of the ZZ Top singers sings 'Hare Krishna'. I half expected him to start singing 'She's Got Legs'!! Don't miss that part.
Final judgment: if you can find a free copy of the movie, do watch it.