Sir Osama?

In response to Salman Rushdie's impending knighthood, some Pakistani clerics have decided to honor Osama bin Laden. From Al-Jazeera:

"Allama Tahir Ashrafi, head of the Pakistan Ulema Council, said on Thursday that the group would give bin Laden the title "Saifullah" - which means 'Sword of God' - for 'serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels'. 'If Britain can give a knighthood to Rushdie, we too have the right to make awards to our leaders and heroes,' Ashrafi said.

He said that while he was not in contact with bin Laden, the reward would reach the fugitive al-Qaeda chief 'at an appropriate time'."

Like next Saturday at brunch? Not in contact -- whatever!

The really amusing part is that they're gleefully rubbing their hands together, thinking that this is actually a "we'll show them!" move. But whereas a novelist being granted knighthood results in death threats and overt approval of revenge suicide bombings, our response to Osama getting some silly award mainly elicits eye-rolling. Which is the normal reaction?