22 replies to this topic

[Dave W]

Are you really so naive as to believe that American rules of law apply in a war situation? Go back and read what Cmdr. Clownfish wrote. And take it to heart. They did what was necessary. Period. And I applaud them for it.

[Parrotman]

Hear hear!!!!!!!!!!!

I've tried my best to stay out of this one but I'm hearing this crap from everywhere all the sudden. There are several points here don't seem to be brought up very often.

First he declared war on the west long before 9/11. When you declare war you become a target. That is not revenge, its a world he brought onto himself
Pakistan was harboring him which makes them an enemy as well so who cares about their laws
This was a very covert operation, the true story will never be publicly known, nor should it be. Our best tactics should remain secret. The government has an OBLIGATION to cover them up. That is how we keep a competitive edge. Misinformation and obfuscating what really happened is all part of the policy to provide us with secure tactics. The classified world has lots of secrets and they must remain that way at all costs. Muddy the waters, we are all safer for it.

As far as him being unarmed.... he was far from being a defenseless victim in this. Lets not try to turn him into one. He was an enemy combatant with resources significant enough to evade capture for 10 years. He was being supported, and quite possibly defended, by yet another middle eastern country. He was extremely dangerous, unarmed or not. I for one applaud the order to kill him and the people that had the ability to look him in the eye and pull the trigger before he had a chance to get away yet again. Who knows if would have escaped again after being captured, we can't take that risk. We need those people and I am glad we have those people on our payroll and a Commander in Chief with the ability to give ugly orders. War is ugly and we fire on unarmed people all the time. Does anybody think that a pilot of a bomber pulls out his binoculars and checks to see if everyone on the ground has a gun before he drops a bomb. No he doesn't, he finds a high value target and takes that target out whether there are unarmed people in there or not. That is just one example. This was a surgical strike and not some random aerial bombing with the ability to take out many civilians. It was done in a very responsible fashion best I can tell. Sure, the story changes... that has happened after every battle ever fought anywhere in the world. That is not even remotely odd.

For the life of me, I cannot see how anybody would think anything improper by US forces occurred here. To the point that this will have no effect, well not exactly. The effect is psychological. The message is "we won't give up." Other than that, I would agree the long term results will be minimal but saying that this did not need to happen is just crazy. Instead, we should just give up if we are not willing to do things like this because the enemy is willing and the more brutal one sets the rules. He declared war and killed 3k people, then bragged about it for 10 years. No he doesn't need to be treated like a victim. He is another casualty in a war that he created. He is just one "soldier" that died in combat at the hands of another soldier. I guess working in the defense industry is rubbing off on me, we make these weapons for a reason. Our officers are not callous killers. They do a dirty job that they nobody wants to do but must be done. I do concur that the people waving flags and chanting USA USA in Time Square were an embarrassment to us and they make us look very ignorant. But THEY did not pull the trigger or give the order. The people that did are professionals and did what needed to be done. And Thank You Mr President for giving a ballsy order that quite possibly unveiled who isn't really a ally at all and in fact is probably working against us. They brought that on themselves as well. Yes a law was broken to do it, but it exposed another enemy and is therefore a completely valid military action.

There I said... go ahead and flame me for being the pragmatist that I am but I think a very good thing happened and I doubt there will be any negative repercussions at all.

Your the man Scott!!!

I agree completely

Jim

[Parrotman]

one more comment. I can go on line and get a picture of the license plate on the back of my wifes mini van sitting in my drive way. Yet they are saying that Osama has been in this complex for 5 years and no one knew it? Just saying....

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

This was a very covert operation, the true story will never be publicly known, nor should it be. Our best tactics should remain secret. The government has an OBLIGATION to cover them up. That is how we keep a competitive edge. Misinformation and obfuscating what really happened is all part of the policy to provide us with secure tactics. The classified world has lots of secrets and they must remain that way at all costs.

I truly wish the mainstream media could understand this concept. Those of us with military backgrounds understand the phrase "Need to Know". The general population does NOT need to know the details of this covert operation, IMO.

[Dave W]

This was a very covert operation, the true story will never be publicly known, nor should it be. Our best tactics should remain secret. The government has an OBLIGATION to cover them up. That is how we keep a competitive edge. Misinformation and obfuscating what really happened is all part of the policy to provide us with secure tactics. The classified world has lots of secrets and they must remain that way at all costs.

I truly wish the mainstream media could understand this concept. Those of us with military backgrounds understand the phrase "Need to Know". The general population does NOT need to know the details of this covert operation, IMO.

I couldn't agree more. And when even someone as far left as Diane Feinstein says it had to be done and the soldiers did the right thing, that pretty well settles it, I would think.

[peterbj7]

I truly wish the mainstream media could understand this concept. Those of us with military backgrounds understand the phrase "Need to Know". The general population does NOT need to know the details of this covert operation, IMO.

I have a military background, What we are talking about here is not the operational details, which can be sensitive and which the military undoubtedly don't want revealed, but the substantive thrust of what actually happened. A lot of people are very concerned about that, and I'm not just talking about the chattering classes.

Much of this is beside the point though. There will clearly be a period of retrenchment while the extremists decide what to do next and marshall their resources, but IMO they will have more willing recruits as a result of this exercise than they would have had before. Read Jason Burke's book.

[lynnlchan]

Interesting thread.

I had a couple thoughts when reading. One is that the misinformation itself could be a tactic. The best way to diffuse some of the repercussions could be to leave the world guessing as to exactly what happened. There probably will be repercussions from the death of OBL, but probably fewer than would result from a lengthy expensive legal process which would keep the issue in the focus of the world for an extended period. Having OBL in custody would create opportunities for terrorists to take actions to obtain his freedom.

All in all, this seems to be wrapped up in a nice little confusing bundle and that could be way it was intended to play out.

I understand that hatred breeds hatred. I also understand that sometimes a line has to be drawn, a point be made. I'm glad I'm a spectator and thankful for those that made the decision and those that acted on it.

[Greg@ihpil]

The one thing that I don't understand.How can anyone look at this individual (OBL),and think he came to a death, defenseless.As most of the comments agree,he was served justice. America is and always seems to be the only watchdog that ends a legacy of some malitious murderer.As history has demonstrated;Hitler,Hussain,Mussalini etc.They all were put to their demise.We (America) again have sent a message to others of their character.We'll get ya!!
IMO ,Quidafi ,is next.......