Osama Bin Laden Dead!

[_KimberlyAnn]

There was something a little too professional about this assassination. They go in, and with relatively little collateral damage kill Bin Laden, take possession of the body, positively ID him, and then bury him at sea. I only wish they would have recorded the SEALS pouring pigs blood on his corpse, and pissing all over him and then broadcast the video to the world.

Now that would have been a really clever idea.

By doing as you suggest the US could have made it clear to every Muslim in the world that it was not just after Al Qaeda and its leaders, but also wanted to show the most obvious possible disrespect for their religious customs. That would really have capitalized on the public relations aspect of OBL's death to the maximum extent and thus made the world a safer place for all Americans.

I wonder why the people in charge didn't think of that?

Yes, disrespecting that deplorable murderer's corpse would have resulted in the kind of retaliatory killings of Americans that Muslims suffered after they dragged the dead, naked bodies of American soldiers through the streets of Somalia in 2007.

Oh, wait. It's offended militant Muslims who bloodthirstily behead innocent others. Those folks can't really be expected to control themselves, can they?

Americans offended by Muslim extremists who drag dead US soldiers through the streets continue to send large sums of humanitarian aid.

***********************

I do agree that treating Osama's body in accord with Muslim tradition and expectations was a wise move. The right and moral move, actually. But I am weary of free people everywhere being expected to tip-toe around Muslim sensibilities when such tip-toeing isn't even remotely reciprocated. Imagine if the shoe had been on the other foot and Osama's henchmen had killed a high-level American official? I can't believe that Osama would have given a rat's ass about respecting American sensibilities.

KA

[_Kishkumen]

I'm very willing to take you on.

And I think my point still stands. Fundamentally, they are both wedding cakes. And clearly, in keeping with your desire to quibble with the analogy, there are always those people who focus on the frosting while biting into a core of sawdust, sand, or crap, just like people bellyache about the wedge issues that they feel mean oh so much.

But I stand by my point that once the country has caved in on itself, and we are fighting to scrape together enough calories to stave off starvation or watching our backs lest we get robbed or raped, then we can revisit how, in the grand scheme of things, not taxing the super-wealthy an extra 10% or the cause of gay marriage were really the most important issues (no matter which overprivileged whinging side of the corrupt, non-debate you come from).

I have almost no tolerance for people who spend their time moaning about the ten commandments in a courtroom or the freedom for Donald Trump to keep all of the money he "earned," when we are so deeply in debt to the Chinese that my children's children just may end up cutting the grass of Beijing with scissors to scrape together enough money to feed their kids. American politics has devolved into an effing farce, so much so that I can't really stomach carrying on this conversation with you a single post further. It is enraging.

[_zeezrom]

And I think my point still stands. Fundamentally, they are both wedding cakes. And clearly, in keeping with your desire to quibble with the analogy, there are always those people who focus on the frosting while biting into a core of sawdust, sand, or s***, just like people bellyache about the wedge issues that they feel mean oh so much.

I agree with your core argument about Democrat/Rep presidents for sure. I'm just saddened that frosting gets such a bad rap. And, you are now wondering why I spent so much effort arguing about such a silly topic? Because I recently made a mistake with some frosting and this is my one chance to argue with Kishkumen. I have never argued with you before and I must admit, it was pretty fun. I can see why Simon et al stick around for so long.

[_Kishkumen]

I agree with your core argument about Democrat/Rep presidents for sure. I'm just saddened that frosting gets such a bad rap. And, you are now wondering why I spent so much effort arguing about such a silly topic? Because I recently made a mistake with some frosting and this is my one chance to argue with Kishkumen. I have never argued with you before and I must admit, it was pretty fun. I can see why Simon et al stick around for so long.

I am glad you find it entertaining, really. I just wish I were as amused about the current state of the world.

[_zeezrom]

I just wish I were as amused about the current state of the world.

I've had to stop worrying/obsessing about the current state of the world and just care about my little world. Sometimes, I have to let things go. Maybe I'm being an irresponsible citizen... After being a political delegate in my precinct and arguing politics with everyone, I found I was not satisfied, so I retired from all that.

[_Fiannan]

I have noticed several Afghan people on my Facebook pointing out that they have never heard of any Muslim customs involving burial at sea. Also, without a body we just have to assume Obama is both telling us the truth that Osama is dead, and have to just accept that he died yesterday and that Pakistani intelligence was wrong about Osama being dead for years.

[_Buffalo]

[_Buffalo]

[_KimberlyAnn]

I have noticed several Afghan people on my Facebook pointing out that they have never heard of any Muslim customs involving burial at sea. Also, without a body we just have to assume Obama is both telling us the truth that Osama is dead, and have to just accept that he died yesterday and that Pakistani intelligence was wrong about Osama being dead for years.

http://www.seaservices.com/Muslim.htm

The photos circulating on the Internet of a dead Osama are fake, but, supposedly, the Obama administration has photos of Osama's body and is contemplating releasing them. No matter how gruesome, I think the photos should be released. Speculation that Osama may still be alive should be dispelled, and the sooner the better.

On a side note, concerning Facebook, I saw this post this morning:

John: "Now that Osama is dead, do you think TSA will stop groping us at airports?"

Mary: "I sure hope not! We older women have to get our intimate encounters wherever we can find them!"


KA

[_Malcolm]

I have noticed several Afghan people on my Facebook pointing out that they have never heard of any Muslim customs involving burial at sea. Also, without a body we just have to assume Obama is both telling us the truth that Osama is dead, and have to just accept that he died yesterday and that Pakistani intelligence was wrong about Osama being dead for years.

Chatting to my local Cab driver today, he also said that as a Muslim, he had never heard of burial at sea. An American Correspondent speaking on the BBC said today that the burial at sea was done in keeping with Muslim tradition. The body was washed, placed in a white winding sheet and gently lowered into the sea. Presumably, the burial at sea was done to prevent a grave becoming the centre-piece for a martyr's memorial where his terrorist brethren could congregate. If he is dead, then all well and good, but it all seems too neatly wrapped up for me, and sadly there are still far too many of his ilk who would bring terror to the West.