News schizophrenia

These stories are both are in the "news" (we use that term loosely) today:

Story 1:

"The State Department is warning Americans that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests around the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Story 2:

The United States is “within reach’’ of defeating Al Qaeda...Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said."