Bin Laden = Dead

[Naples39]

I think this was a kill mission and they were looking for any excuse to shoot him, which could raise issues when probed. I'm sure if they really wanted to take him alive they could've done so with the ease they carved up that compound.

[Teal]

That's why they're backpedaling now and saying 'no, no, we went there to capture him, but he had a gun and fired at us-no, wait, he didn't fire at us, in fact, he didn't have a gun, but...there's lots of ways to resist, and...we killed one of his wives-no, wait, we shot her in the leg. In fact, it wasn't his wife after all..."

I think they know that it's problematic, globally, if this is just an assassination mission. Hell, I don't care; assassinate him. But still...

[Lancer]

I was watching BBC News and some Harvard d*****bag on his high horse was saying how now this looks all bad since we revealed he did not have a gun or use a woman as a shield. Really, who gives a s***, he's dead. He could have been taking a dump for all i care while he got it in the head. And I think it's understandable this guy was to be brought back DEAD. Alive would open up too many risks.

I think the WH is changing the story because the terrorist generals left, well they'll read how we just took the guy out regardless if he was armed or not. They're also probably in the general vicinity and their time is up here on this planet.

How hard is it going to be for these Seals to keep quiet. If you were in their position and got OBL, how tempting would it be not to tell others. These guys identities will never be revealed.

[pk500]

Agree. So f*cking what.

I bet the SEALS gave Bin Laden a very brief chance to put his hands in the air, and when he didn't, it was time to open fire just as they would against any enemy combatant. There's every chance that Bin Laden could have carried a concealed weapon.

This wasn't the time or place for a polite interrogation, complete with Miranda rights. It was a military operation with an enemy combatant. Period.

Why is this even a topic of conversation? We're at WAR with these f*ckers.

[Teal]

Damn straight, PK.

[greggsand]

Critics of the 'shooting' should keep in mind we could have just bombed the hell out of the house while the dude was sleeping.

[F308GTB]

The US DID notify Pakistan right before the mission was executed. They just didn't let them know anything up until that point. That is why there was no military response from Pakistan.

I watched Brennan's press briefing yesterday. He said that contrary to earlier reports, Pakistan was not notified until the strike force was out of Pakistani territory.

Indeed. Pakistan scrambled jets to intercept the unknown intruders, but our choppers flew low and slipped out of Pakistani airspace before the Pakistani forces could mobilize and engage.

More proof that we can sell our weapons to other nations, but our know-how and skill is what makes the difference when we use those tools. People and knowledge still are decisive.

There was an article in a recent issue of The Economist talking about the need for the US to be sure where all the hardware/software comes from in weapons systems. One thing the US does is essentially have booby traps in weapons it sells to other countries. Functions can be disabled or the performance reduced remotely as a way to control nations that turn against us and have our weapons or if the weapons fall into the wrong hands. Have to wonder if Pakistan has US radar systems and if our satellites sent a little "hmm, don't quite work properly" signal during the op.

[Lancer]

Steelers Super Bowl goat stirs up trouble :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6471433

[Diablo25]

Damn straight, PK.

Damn straight Teal.

[toonarmy]

Steelers Super Bowl goat stirs up trouble :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6471433

Among his other bin Laden tweets:

"I believe in God. I believe we're ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge."

"Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves."

"For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn ... I ask how would God feel about your heart?"

I know everyone is caught up in the moment, but hell, dude sounds like he is a Christian or something who doesn't make exceptions based on patriotism. I guess it's crazy these days to actually follow your beliefs even when it involves someone as despicable as Bin Laden. I'm sure his remarks are going to get blasted in any case.

[Naples39]

The Pittsburgh Steelers running back on Monday tweeted: "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..."

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style."

"There is not an ignorant bone in my body. I just encourage you to think."

His heart is in the right place, just incredibly misguided

[Teal]

Toon, I'm a Christian. A very devout one. But I don't believe in "doormat theology".

[Naples39]

And as for the kill order, Bin Laden declared war and killed thousands. He got shot in a raid. Tough sh*t.

[toonarmy]

Toon, I'm a Christian. A very devout one. But I don't believe in "doormat theology".

There are many theologies within Christianity. I was just pointing out that the Steeler feels like he is staying true to his version of Christianity and not making exceptions, which I can respect. I'm not judging anyone. I could care less what religious beliefs people have.

[pk500]

There was an article in a recent issue of The Economist talking about the need for the US to be sure where all the hardware/software comes from in weapons systems. One thing the US does is essentially have booby traps in weapons it sells to other countries. Functions can be disabled or the performance reduced remotely as a way to control nations that turn against us and have our weapons or if the weapons fall into the wrong hands. Have to wonder if Pakistan has US radar systems and if our satellites sent a little "hmm, don't quite work properly" signal during the op.

Never knew that. Makes perfect sense, though. Interesting!

[F308GTB]

There was an article in a recent issue of The Economist talking about the need for the US to be sure where all the hardware/software comes from in weapons systems. One thing the US does is essentially have booby traps in weapons it sells to other countries. Functions can be disabled or the performance reduced remotely as a way to control nations that turn against us and have our weapons or if the weapons fall into the wrong hands. Have to wonder if Pakistan has US radar systems and if our satellites sent a little "hmm, don't quite work properly" signal during the op.

Never knew that. Makes perfect sense, though. Interesting!

Here you go - http://www.economist.com/node/18527456? ... N=48974318

[pk500]

Thanks, man. Eager to read this.

[Danimal]

Steelers Super Bowl goat stirs up trouble :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6471433

I guess he doesn't see the irony that he is calling out people for celebrating the death and then shortly after posts:

"Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves."

I wonder how the blue collar fans in Pittsburgh will react to his statements.

[Smurfy]

There was an article in a recent issue of The Economist talking about the need for the US to be sure where all the hardware/software comes from in weapons systems. One thing the US does is essentially have booby traps in weapons it sells to other countries. Functions can be disabled or the performance reduced remotely as a way to control nations that turn against us and have our weapons or if the weapons fall into the wrong hands. Have to wonder if Pakistan has US radar systems and if our satellites sent a little "hmm, don't quite work properly" signal during the op.

If I recall correctly, the government said after or during the first Gulf War back in 1991 that they disabled Iraqi air defences by infecting them with computer viruses. Different tactic but somewhat similar.

[Lancer]

I've heard that too in the past that they have those tricks on weapons, but I also had read that many of the countries it's sold to decipher the locks and they become useless . I'm not sure about this generations weapons but I'm sure the sold to country probably has a bunch of people who know how to break this stuff. Better than nothing.

[wco81]

If US weapons have such backdoors or vulnerabilities, these countries would go to vendors from other countries.

Weapons makers probably can lobby for their interests, even if it means selling systems to potential enemies.

AA systems aren't much of a match for all the cruise missiles in the US arsenal.

A more interesting issue might be whether we need these multi billion dollar systems or advanced fighter jets when unmanned drones can track and take out targets on the ground much better than a jet or those big Blackhawks for a fraction of the cost.

[vader29]

Steelers Super Bowl goat stirs up trouble :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6471433

I guess he doesn't see the irony that he is calling out people for celebrating the death and then shortly after posts:

"Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves."

I wonder how the blue collar fans in Pittsburgh will react to his statements.

He's been getting ripped severely and deservedly so on the radio talks shows. Was bad enough when he made the stupid remark after the lockout began about comparing playing in the NFL to slavery, now it's just ridiculous. Wish they would just flat out cut him, but unfortunately that will never happen.

[Brando70]

Critics of the 'shooting' should keep in mind we could have just bombed the hell out of the house while the dude was sleeping.

True, and also true that they may not have known he didn't have a gun. The SEALs go in, there's a firefight, they find Bin Laden and he moves the wrong way, that's it. I imagine his window of options for giving himself up was tiny, but I'll bet he had one. There would have still been a lot of advantages in capturing him alive.

[greggsand]

Critics of the 'shooting' should keep in mind we could have just bombed the hell out of the house while the dude was sleeping.

True, and also true that they may not have known he didn't have a gun. The SEALs go in, there's a firefight, they find Bin Laden and he moves the wrong way, that's it. I imagine his window of options for giving himself up was tiny, but I'll bet he had one. There would have still been a lot of advantages in capturing him alive.

Dealing with a group that has no issues with suicide bombing/"martyrdom", you'd be best to shoot with the slightest movement (in my uneducated opinion).

I imagine there will be lots of speculation as to advantages of capture vs the 'public chaos' of capture. It definitely would have kicked-off a whole new chapter of 'world history'.

[XXXIV]

It was great hearing about this yesterday, so long you piece of s***.

You put it best my friend.

10 years. Trillions of dollars. Thousands of soldiers dead. State of the art technology. The U.S. finally found Bin Laden.....

In his House.

18 years. 3 administrations. You forgot about the first WTC bombing in 93.

Thats far too long.