Osama bin Laden is dead!

[JamieJ424]

I am with DGE. He needed killing.

 

[skittybelle]

I'd put his head on a pike, but not exactly PC.

Sounds like a great idea to me

It's too bad that Obama chose to play nice guy instead and treated the body accordingto Islamic tradition for burial at sea...

 

[Sir_Winston54]

To rejoice in the death of another human being, I can understand, is not a good thing. However, to find *satisfaction* in the thought of the death of someone who caused so many innocent deaths, who created such grief in so many, many more around the world, who perverted his religion (which is in reality a beautiful and caring religion, as most are) in order to do so... that, I believe is acceptable.

If the beliefs he *professed to have* are true and correct, then mere microseconds after his death, he was facing his God, who was condemning him to an eternity of torments even greater than he caused.

 

[Chiara_searches]

To rejoice in the death of another human being, I can understand, is not a good thing. However, to find *satisfaction* in the thought of the death of someone who caused so many innocent deaths, who created such grief in so many, many more around the world, who perverted his religion (which is in reality a beautiful and caring religion, as most are) in order to do so... that, I believe is acceptable.

If the beliefs he *professed to have* are true and correct, then mere microseconds after his death, he was facing his God, who was condemning him to an eternity of torments even greater than he caused.

I was sitting here struggling with how to phrase my opinion on his death. I oppose the war and needless killing. I mourn from an humanistic side anyone's death. But I am glad he's dead. I like what you say about finding satisfaction in his death. That's where I fall for the reasons you express.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Sounds like a great idea to me

It's too bad that Obama chose to play nice guy instead and treated the body accordingto Islamic tradition for burial at sea...

That's what's called "being the better person" and old school honorable treatment of a fallen enemy.

Well. Unless he was secretly an undead creature and/or witch. In which case, we probably should have burned the body to keep him from rising again.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Three of "The Best Bin Laden Front Pages," according to Time NewsFeed:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/dailynews.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/phildailynews.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/nypost.png

 

[Etoile]

I take no joy in the death of any living thing. I do not live according to Hammurabi's Code, and I will not rejoice that he is dead.

What makes me glad, though, is that the wondering is over. That was always a loose thread that hadn't been tied up from 9/11. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have moved on to be about different things - regardless of why we went in, 9/11 is pretty far removed from why we're there now. But finding Osama was always part of 9/11, emotionally, for the American people. Finding him took a really, really long time...but it's done. The mystery of where is he, is he alive, will he release another recording, is he here or there...all of that is done. Now we know.

And that I am happy about.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Three of "The Best Bin Laden Front Pages," according to Time NewsFeed:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/dailynews.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/phildailynews.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x95/Sir_Winston54/nypost.png

Three illiterate and ignorant newspaper covers.

"bastard," really? The man was a murderer, a provocateur, a propagandist. But he knew who his father was.

Says so much about what's wrong with this country.

 

[ImOnIt]

I remember the day I realised that newspapers existed to sell newspapers.

Fuckin newspapers I haven't bought one since.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I just love the idea that someone got to argue that their screaming 90 point "ROT IN HELL!" headline was way better than, say, "EVIL DEAD!" C'mon! It's so obvious!

On another note, I guess we'll know if this is all a cover-up if Jack Ruby steps out of the crowd and shoots those 24 Navy SEALS.

 

[YourCaptor]

I want to see the video of the attack. Do you think it will be released?

 

[JMohegan]

Fucker needed shooting. Fucker got shot.

College kids celebrate the death of the bad guy, after nearly a decade of the grownups hunting him down. I don't begrudge them the party.

And now we've got proof of the President's stones. The alleged lack of which has been so often mocked by those who are now eating crow.

 

[Etoile]

I want to see the video of the attack. Do you think it will be released?

The only things I have heard the administration is considering release of are the photos of his body and the video of his burial. I assume the "record" button was on when they were beaming the attack itself back to the White House, but it probably contains tactical information they don't want to release. They have already released video from inside the compound, though - some low beds and blood on the floor, but not much else to see there.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Sounds like a great idea to me

It's too bad that Obama chose to play nice guy instead and treated the body accordingto Islamic tradition for burial at sea...

I guess because unlike many, he does have a shread of decency in him, though he does seem to rejoice in killing. His reaction to this was similar to the fly he killed on camera (same wording if I remember correctly), which I found distasteful as well. Why take pride and joy in killing a creature far smaller than yourself, or a man you sent others to kill while you watched from the safety of your privileged position? I still believe if times were like they were in the distant past where a leader was at the front of his troops in battle, not safely locked away sending out directions, a lot of the violence and unrest we live with now might not exist or happen with so much disregard for those they send to their deaths in their name and for their cause. It happens on all sides, and yet people continue to hail them heroes when reality is it does not take a lot of bravery when you are not the one risking your life.

 

[JMohegan]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-may-2-2011-philip-k--howard

 

[Etoile]

I guess because unlike many, he does have a shread of decency in him, though he does seem to rejoice in killing. His reaction to this was similar to the fly he killed on camera (same wording if I remember correctly), which I found distasteful as well. Why take pride and joy in killing a creature far smaller than yourself, or a man you sent others to kill while you watched from the safety of your privileged position? I still believe if times were like they were in the distant past where a leader was at the front of his troops in battle, not safely locked away sending out directions, a lot of the violence and unrest we live with now might not exist or happen with so much disregard for those they send to their deaths in their name and for their cause. It happens on all sides, and yet people continue to hail them heroes when reality is it does not take a lot of bravery when you are not the one risking your life.

I'd say it takes a different kind of bravery. I'm with JMohegan, what Obama did takes balls. Of course Obama watched from Washington - the President of the United States isn't going to go into combat. That doesn't change the fact that he is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Maybe you have to be American to understand why so many people here are proud of him. I don't know.

 

[Daddy2mylilgirl]

Plus, nobody is hailing Obama as a hero. I've never heard of any politician be hailed as a hero for sending troops into battle.

The soldiers are always hailed as the heroes and rightfully so.

 

[Etoile]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-may-2-2011-philip-k--howard

That was hilarious! I gotta admit I laughed a lot.

 

[DVS]

I'd say it takes a different kind of bravery. I'm with JMohegan, what Obama did takes balls. Of course Obama watched from Washington - the President of the United States isn't going to go into combat. That doesn't change the fact that he is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Maybe you have to be American to understand why so many people here are proud of him. I don't know.

Sure, he sent men into battle, but that is part of his job. I'm more impressed with the CIA and the fact that they didn't give up on the long long trail it took to find all of this out and the Seals doing such a good job. Incidentally, some of the Seals have been doing this for a long time. I heard some of them were 10 time re-enlistees.

Not to take away Obama's thunder, but these people were checking on this before he was elected. It took years to connect the dots. They had to track that courier down and set up the scenario of his actions. Wondering who could be the important figure living in such a fortified place so close to the military training facility, they decided it must be Bin Laden, because that courier was one he trusted.

Also, aside from the fact that the place was heavily fortified against attack, the lack of telephone and Internet connections to the compound (Bin Laden knew how easy it was for his enemies to listen in, that's why he had trusted couriers) and the fact that all of their trash was burned when their neighbors all set theirs out to be picked up in the normal fashion were more red flags that whoever was living there, they were up to something.

Even with all of this information, until they were inside the compound, they couldn't know for sure it as Bin Laden. That was where the president's balls showed. The team had several key phrases to say, depending on who they found and the outcome, so the people in Washington could know as soon as it happened.

Obama did make the choice not to bomb the compound, for reasons that I agree with, but I'm sure his advisory group in the war room were making sure to give him all possible avenues, no matter what choice he decided on. Any president we elect can have this kind of decision to make many times, while in office. We just don't hear about some of these operations, because the payload isn't as large as Bin Laden.

It was a job well done, from the CIA, the Seals and the president's tough decisions. It could have gone wrong at any point in time, but with God's assistance and everybody's skill, training and intestinal fortitude (balls), it worked. And that's one for our side.

 

[Etoile]

Sure, he sent men into battle, but that is part of his job. I'm more impressed with the CIA and the fact that they didn't give up on the long long trail it took to find all of this out and the Seals doing such a good job. Incidentally, some of the Seals have been doing this for a long time. I heard some of them were 10 time re-enlistees.

Not to take away Obama's thunder, but these people were checking on this before he was elected. It took years to connect the dots. They had to track that courier down and set up the scenario of his actions. Wondering who could be the important figure living in such a fortified place so close to the military training facility, they decided it must be Bin Laden, because that courier was one he trusted.

Also, aside from the fact that the place was heavily fortified against attack, the lack of telephone and Internet connections to the compound (Bin Laden knew how easy it was for his enemies to listen in, that's why he had trusted couriers) and the fact that all of their trash was burned when their neighbors all set theirs out to be picked up in the normal fashion were more red flags that whoever was living there, they were up to something.

Even with all of this information, until they were inside the compound, they couldn't know for sure it as Bin Laden. That was where the president's balls showed. The team had several key phrases to say, depending on who they found and the outcome, so the people in Washington could know as soon as it happened.

Obama did make the choice not to bomb the compound, for reasons that I agree with, but I'm sure his advisory group in the war room were making sure to give him all possible avenues, no matter what choice he decided on. Any president we elect can have this kind of decision to make many times, while in office. We just don't hear about some of these operations, because the payload isn't as large as Bin Laden.

It was a job well done, from the CIA, the Seals and the president's tough decisions. It could have gone wrong at any point in time, but with God's assistance and everybody's skill, training and intestinal fortitude (balls), it worked. And that's one for our side.

Yes indeed. I'm personally amazed with the fact that they found him IN AUGUST and didn't say a thing. I know they weren't 100% sure until they saw the guy face-to-face, but to have such near-certainty and keep it top secret is impressive. Of course, any leak would have meant starting all over, so they had to keep it secret - I'm just impressed that they did. I certainly had no idea until Sunday night that we even had the faintest clue where he was, let alone tracking couriers and all that!

Where did you hear the part about the key phrases? I've seen the picture of everybody watching (where Sec. Clinton has her hand over her mouth) but I couldn't tell if they were getting a live video feed as well as audio. I wonder if they could see OBL himself on video when whichever SEAL got him, found him.

 

[DVS]

Yes indeed. I'm personally amazed with the fact that they found him IN AUGUST and didn't say a thing. I know they weren't 100% sure until they saw the guy face-to-face, but to have such near-certainty and keep it top secret is impressive. Of course, any leak would have meant starting all over, so they had to keep it secret - I'm just impressed that they did. I certainly had no idea until Sunday night that we even had the faintest clue where he was, let alone tracking couriers and all that!

Where did you hear the part about the key phrases? I've seen the picture of everybody watching (where Sec. Clinton has her hand over her mouth) but I couldn't tell if they were getting a live video feed as well as audio. I wonder if they could see OBL himself on video when whichever SEAL got him, found him.

I know the White House was getting live video via satellite, and I think they also had audio. But what they saw was as if seen from a neighbor's house. Of course the Seals all had cameras on their helmets and so the complete raid was recorded that way. I don't think the public will ever see those videos though, for the secrecy of the Seal operation. There was communication from the Seals to Washington, although I doubt they could talk back to them.

I don't remember where I first saw the phrases or codes as they're called, maybe a CNN report. But I just found it in an ABC News report.

Geronimo was the code name for the operation that sent two teams of 12 SEALS zooming by Blackhawk helicopters to a walled compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan, on Sunday to kill or capture the most wanted man in the world. Anxious White House officials weren't positive that they would find bin Laden in the fortress-like complex, that he might leave while the SEALS were en route.

The first encouraging word came at the beginning of the raid when the SEALS recognized the man who had eluded a U.S. manhunt for a decade. They sent back the message, "Geronimo."

After a 40-minute search of the compound, punctuated by firefights, bin Laden was dead, and the cryptic "Geronimo-E KIA" code sent relief through the White House. E stood for enemy and KIA for killed in action.

Bin Laden was shot twice, once in the head and once in the chest, a senior administration official told ABC News.

The SEALS words, however, were not sufficient proof that the mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks was finally dead. As the evidence piled up -- verbal ID, face recognition analysis and DNA matches -- the White House debate continued. Obama ended the discussion with a terse, "We got him."

 

[miss_emiii]

ya know..i really appreciate how this thread has actually stayed somewhat reasonable throughout. I mean its nice to have a group of people that while differing on some emotions, really all understand the implications of these actions.

As another interesting piece of information, an Abbottobad man actually live tweeted the event. He didn't realize until later what he had actually done, but its kinda interesting how twitter (along with facebook & even literotica!!) captures these moments in history.

http://www.ksat.com/osama-bin-laden/27753257/detail.html
The article only mentions a few of the tweets, but implied that there were more

 

[midwestyankee]

I think that one of the under-sung elements of this story is this: the Obama team had nearly as much intelligence needed to take out bin Laden last fall as it did at the end of last week. However, Team Obama took several months to a) try to get even closer to the truth about who lived at that compound, and b) plan it out carefully and practice the mission relentlessly.

Does anyone doubt that another President, perhaps even the last one, would have taken the route of bombing the building in time to affect the outcome of the mid-term elections last November?

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I think that one of the under-sung elements of this story is this: the Obama team had nearly as much intelligence needed to take out bin Laden last fall as it did at the end of last week. However, Team Obama took several months to a) try to get even closer to the truth about who lived at that compound, and b) plan it out carefully and practice the mission relentlessly.

Does anyone doubt that another President, perhaps even the last one, would have taken the route of bombing the building in time to affect the outcome of the mid-term elections last November?

I am shocked at this implication.

Shocked, I say.

 

[Etoile]

I think that one of the under-sung elements of this story is this: the Obama team had nearly as much intelligence needed to take out bin Laden last fall as it did at the end of last week. However, Team Obama took several months to a) try to get even closer to the truth about who lived at that compound, and b) plan it out carefully and practice the mission relentlessly.

Does anyone doubt that another President, perhaps even the last one, would have taken the route of bombing the building in time to affect the outcome of the mid-term elections last November?

I don't know about that, but I do think it's not going to affect 2012 as much as they're currently suggesting. People are saying re-election is a lock... but there's way too much time for things to go bad between now and then.