I see OBL living in a cozy compound in a high class gated community among the military elite of Pakistan, not blowing himself up in a crowded unemployment line.
Its a cause, and they accept that they may have to face a violent end to achieve it.
Their grunts may be more normal, but the ones on top are quite committed. Plus, dying for the cause ensures that you are rewarded, so its a pretty hard system to beat.