I have NEVER in my life been happy at the death of a human being however I think God will forgive me on this one.
I'm sure people felt the same way when Hitler bit the bullet.

OSAMA BIN LADEN IS FINALLY DEAD!

What the Hell took so long? Why aren't people dancing in the streets? I'm stuck here in Saint Peters MO and I wish I was home to dance in the streets with my friends.

Dante put a new ring on Hell just for him.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

People are dancing in the streets in NYC and DC! Even though he is as evil as can be may God have mercy on his soul.

annadrose: I agree with you 100% on this one!! There are celebrations going on now from what is being shown on the news!!!

Anna i agree with you. Everyone should be celebrating.

__________________
~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

People without a leader either fall apart, or they re-group and become stronger.
I'm celebrating, but I wonder will his death only make things worse? Will his followers become stronger, more bent of killing the "infidels"?

This is not the end I'm afraid.

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

The coward went to his death having killed a woman by using her as a shield

How any human being in the entire world could revere this monster is beyond me.

It's a beautiful day in the world. One less piece of garbage.

__________________

It's interesting that they are saying that it was intel gained from imprisoned Al Quaeda (sp?) members that resulted in our knowing the name of the courier that we were able to find and trace back to OBL.

It will be more interesting if we learn that waterboarding is responsible for that prisoner giving up that info.

Finally thank you GOd, however I agree with Marilyn I truly fear for what will happen now as far as any terrorists attacks at us... Peace and blessings to all those who lost their lives on 9/11... Catherine

I also want to thank our President for the excellent work he did from last August when he first found out that Osama Bin Laden could be hiding out at this location. To be whatever President would have found I would have been eternally grateful for. Again though I know there are so many more Bin Ladens out there and pray deeply they bring no harm to our country... Peace and God Bless these brave men who accomplished something the death of this evil evil man... Catherine

It has taken almost 10 years. It just happened while Obama was in office and he is getting all the crecit. The real heroes are our military who successfully handled their operation. I imagine this is a huge boost to his ratings and perhaps could be his legacy - what he is remembered for.

dl

This is one report on that subject:

Phone call led US to bin Laden's doorstep, capping a hunt that began in a secret CIA prison | StarTribune.com

I don't like the speech the President gave. "I" did this "I" "I" "I". He should have given credit to the SEALS to intelligence to the members of the military. It was a VERY self serving speech.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Almost 1400 words. The word "I" was used 10 times. Only twice did he take credit for anything 1) making sure the CIA's marching orders to find bin Laden were priority and 2) authorizing the operation. (#1 is no surprise for anyone who paid attention to the President's election campaign.)

- I can report to the American people
- I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda...
- I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.
- I met repeatedly with my national security team as WE developed more information...
- I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation...
- I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam.
- I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was.
- I called President Zardari, and MY TEAM has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts.
- These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.
- I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

...Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort.
...Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community
...A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability.
...After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.
...Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.
...We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

He thanked the military 4 times and the intelligence folks 3 times. The President didn't single out a branch of military or a particular unit. This was a 10 year team effort. Federal employees, both Military and Civil Service played roles that culminated in this event.

P.S. -- SEALs don't brag. So, if there is any story behind the President not singling the team out, my bet is that it was at their request.

Nightowlrn once again I simply love everything you wrote and I do love all that Obama said in his speech to tell the world that Osama Bin Laden was dead. I also realize it has been going for 10 years and perhaps could have gone on for another 10 years and like I mentioned before in my thread I would have been deepy proud no matter what president achieved the act of finding him and killing him. To all who was involved in finding Osama Bin Laden they all deserve so much credit for their bravery . Peace and blessings... to our military and keep them safe and God Bless America... Catherine

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

__________________
If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

"Do not think that courage and strength are proved by killing and destruction. True courage lies in working for peace." - John Paul II

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

http://mylifeundertheabaya.blogspot.com/

juju and usna, just curious....

Would you have preferred that UBL had not been killed?

Are you not supportive of President Obama's actions?

Oh - and there are several thoughts floating through my head about this topic...

1) It sounds like some of the intel we obtained that led us to him was a direct result of 'enhanced interrogation techniques' such as waterboarding, and in places such as Gitmo. It makes me wonder... during the election Obama repeatedly said he would close down Gitmo... was it within 6 months of taking office? And yet he changed his mind and didn't do it. Is it because once he was Pres. he had access to information - to the stark reality - that activities taking place there were in fact going to lead us to UBL? Has he *stopped* things like waterboarding? Do we know?

2) We're learning that enemy combatants we've captured during the course of the conflict in Afghanistan gave up information that ultimately led to UBL. And during the course of the conflict, there have always been many who said, "Why are we fighting a war when we should be looking for UBL???" I just think it is interesting that we're now learning that since 2003, our secret forces have in fact been working in a very stealth manner to do exactly what we were being accused of *not* doing - looking for UBL - and that it was POW's and detainees from the war / conflict that gave the info to our secret forces. I've never *liked* war, but assumed that both of our presidents (Bush and Obama) knew a lot more than we did about what was *really* going on behind the scenes, and just trusted their judgment.

3) Will something big and bad happen now that UBL is dead? It was often said that if we killed him we would pay a very heavy price, because there were terrorist cells poised and ready to wreak havoc if anything were to happen to him. What I would be curious to know is if, over the course of the last almost-ten-years, our secret forces tracking couriers, etc., like the one who led them to UBL have led us to sniff out most of those cells.

4) And along with my thought #3, I have to wonder if we haven't known where UBL was for a long time, but just now decided it was the right time to take him out *because* our intelligence led us to believe that the threat of 'secret cells' had been negated after ten years of ferreting them out.

I know they are TELLING us they just tracked him down in the last few months... but... I don't know that I buy it. And that's okay with me. I expect our government to keep things close to the vest and not leak things that would've been bad for our national security.

Not at all. I believe that he had to be killed. I support the Seals that did their job but I do not believe that any death should be celebrated. When 9/11 happened and we saw the televised shots of the people dancing in the streets in the middle east celebrating the deaths of Americans, we called them barbarians and most Americans were stunned that human beings acted that way about death of another human being. Some called them 'Godless"

It just seems hypocritical to me to see Americans doing the exact same thing. I agree that OBL was a monster and was taken care of by our military doing their job but the dancing in the streets, the hip hip hooray seems to be a sad commentary on how we as Americans should portray ourselves to the world. We claim we are better than the "barbarians" in the middle east. We say we value life which is why we go to war to protect those people whose lives are destroyed by dictators like Sadaam Hussein, we go to war to prevent "death" and then we take to the streets, celebrating and whooping and hollering about it when our armed forces do their jobs and kill someone.

I didn't and won't see the SEALS who carried out this mission on the news, celebrating what they had to do. It is the nature of their job and the nature of war. They do not celebrate killing of anyone. It does bring satisfaction but I am pretty sure it is not a cause for celebration. JMO.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

http://mylifeundertheabaya.blogspot.com/

I guess I see it very differently.

We saw those people celebrating on 9/11 as barbarians because they were celebrating the fact that one of 'theirs' had swooped in in the name of his religion and killed thousands of *ours*, unprovoked.

What we did was not unprovoked.

Personally, I haven't 'celebrated' his death, but I certainly feel celebratory that we eliminated the threat he posed through his wealth and covert influence. I'd have felt the same way about the death of Hitler had I been alive then - thankful and celebratory because something bad had ended and that the reign of terror was over.

I'm not naive enough to think there aren't more just like him waiting in the wings, but nonetheless... he's gone, and that is a good thing. As Obama said, it was a good day for America when he ceased to be alive.

And something tells me there was probably a high five or two between the Seals as the copter lifted them away. I'm not military, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about... but I did read that cheers erupted when they were told several weeks ago that they would be training for this mission.

I do have a Marine son who may/may not know who was on SEAL team 6 and it is of his opinion that though there may have been high fives, it is their job and they do it well. They take no satisfaction in the killing of anyone, it is what they do.

I am not against the death of OBL at all. Someone had to pay for their role in 9/11 however, I find it interesting that we claim to be such a peaceful nation and yet we aren't. It is just an observation of mine. I grew up in a military family and my sons all have attended the Naval Academy, been deployed and will be deployed again yet each of them has expressed dismay at the joyous reactions to the death of another human being, no matter how awful or monsterous they may be.

Killing another human should never be celebrated in my eyes. It is a serious thing and not to be taken lightly and by Americans shouting USA and calling for his body, etc....cheapens what peacekeeping actions we profess to do. It is my opionion and I can see how people want to hoop and yell and have a ticker tape parade and profess it to be "The Americans Win!" and "Mission Accomplished", I don't feel it. I am glad that there is closure and no doubt he needed to pay for masterminding 9/11, however I am not comfortable in celebrating his killing any more than I am comfortable celebrating anyone's death at the hands of another. It had to be done, it was done and it is over. I believe he is now sitting at his judgement, whatever that may be and I have said a prayer for his soul as well as all the souls he was instrumental in killing. I don't expect anyone else to share my opinion, but it is what I have felt and have shared.

ETA: I should say the SEALS take satisfaction in doing a job well done and a mission completed. I am sure there are those who were very excited to be the ones pulling the final trigger on OBL but they are not on TV yelling about it or exclaiming how wonderful it is. I guess they just are doing their jobs and doing it well. Another example of professionalism and decorum. I am partial to the military and the way they do business for the most part, obviously.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

http://mylifeundertheabaya.blogspot.com/

My personal reaction is probably similar to yours in that I have been pleased that we were successful more than I have been euphoric because he is dead.

That said, I do understand the excited hooplah. That man is directly responsible for the fear we've lived in for a decade. From Homeland Security plainclothesmen packing heat on flights to the other host of changes we made because of his actions, we've had very little emotional rest as a nation since he launched the attack on our soil. From the suicide of the TSA agent who let the terrorist through security and onto the plane on 9/11 to the firemen in NYC suffering the long-term effects of the substances they inhaled, people's lives were changed for the worse in significant ways because of UBL, and I really do understand the cheering cries of the many who are glad to see UBL cease to be among the living. I don't think it is an unnatural - or sub-human - reaction.

By the way... I just saw two interesting things on Facebook.

One, according to this article, MLK isn't responsible for that quote that is being pasted everywhere, according to this story: Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide

And two... someone suggested that we send the Westboro folks to Pakistan this week... lol.

Like I said, I understand why people would be cheering etc, but it just seems a bit hypocritical to me and a bit more than sad. I am not thinking we need to have a moment of silence for him etc, but just a bit more of what we profess.....the country that is the Christian one.....it is just my opinion and certainly not one that is set in stone, I just have been surprised by the reactions, I guess.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

http://mylifeundertheabaya.blogspot.com/

I have to say that I'm relieved that he's dead. I'm unhappy at all the rejoicing, celebrating, and party-like atmosphere.

__________________
If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

^^^^^^
this

Here is an interesting article from a Catholic perspective

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/sto...ns/1101730.htm

"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end," Father Lombardi said.

"In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred," the spokesman said."

We shouldn't rejoice in the killing of this man, though he was a perpetrator of evil and hate we must not consider this a "victory" a self righteous act of extremist nationalism, we must pray for dialogue and transformation of our hearts and minds. This is the way to peace.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

http://mylifeundertheabaya.blogspot.com/

1) threat is not over, may in fact just have been ramped up.
2) kill one nut-job, and two more pop up
3) I don't care who killed him---"an elite US military squad" is sufficient. Those men/women don't want or need accolades. Their satisfaction comes from accomplishing their mission.
4) Have to agree w/ the ones saying that our dancing in the street was in poor taste and judgment. I think it's kind of like poking a sleeping bear in the nose--don't do it!
5) personally I would have preferred that he be captured and held in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. oh, and sorry, we can't afford your medical treatment
6) I think he's was killed a while ago, and it is just now being released (yeah, I'm a little bit of a conspiracy theorist(sp?) )

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

On your #5, marilyn...

I prefer that we just get it over with. Any protracted trials, etc. would've caused all sorts of problems.

First I have to say I am not celebrating and going out in the streets that Osama Bin Laden is dead, however just like Hitler these 2 men to me were not human to carry out and kill so many people and totally believe that the killings were nothing and be totally justified no way. I am the first person to offer and say we need more peace and to spread more peace, The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr fought so hard and they took his life so others would have equal rights as they should. I am sure if he was alive today, he would celebrate his death, but he would know this evil thing needed to die. To Marilyn I totally agree with you on everything you said and I also feel he was killed some other time not on 5/1/11. Me and my whole family have been discussing this, something is not right. Peace and blessings to all... Catherine

What shocked me is that UBL was just 54 years old. For some reason - probably because of all the rumors about kidney failure and dialysis we heard about after 9/11, and because he had such a big fortune - I thought he was in his 60's at least. Kind of surprising to learn that at the time he pulled of the 9/11 attacks he was the age I am right now.

To wowitsdark I just do not know, but something about his death , does not sit right with me, first for a man who has not been able to be captured after all these years, they go in there and where were all the men who were to protect him, how come there were not many people. I would have thought there would be 100 guards on duty at all times. Second, why are there no photos of this man, also I cannot understand why they put his body out to sea, imho I firmly believe he should have captured and brought to our country and killed on our soil like he did to us. There is a video on fb right now, but do not open it, it is a virus, it is supposed to be him. Who is the person who actually shot and killed him??. Too many questions are going through my head right now. As far as him age he looks the same to me as he always has, I also heard about him being sick, but I never believed it. Also there were no phones or internet said to be found at the compound, how did they have communication with the outside world... Perhaps questions will be answered... Peace and blessings to our military... Catherine

My guess is that 100 guards and the food necessary to sustain them would somehow have caused them to be noticed. It was easier to hide in plain sight - the very place nobody would suspect.

I really don't think it would have been in our best interests to bring him to the US. The outcry in the Muslim world, the security, the threats that would have resulted from his presence, the plans his people would've made to try to go in and free him... it would've been a nightmare. A public trial would've fueled flames around the world.

I guess I see it like spanking a child vs. a protracted grounding. There are times a grounding is best, but there are times that the most expedient thing for all involved is to punish in a way that is powerful, but over and done with in under 20 seconds because you just need to move on, and being tied to a punishment for the next month would cause more harm to your family than good.

I understand all you are saying wowitsdark and it makes sense. However why have we not seen proof of the dead body especially his face to truly make sure it was Osama Bin Laden who was killed. Peace and blessings to all... Catherine

Yep, that's the one...SO has some "interesting" friends, who, in their youth, were less than law-abiding; and that was their comment--hide in plain sight.


And yes, I know that the *best* thing was shoot to kill on sight. And I suspect OBL actually did suffer some mental anguish over the last 10 years due to fear of being caught---sometimes not knowing when/if something is going to happen is going to happen is worse than the actual event it's self...

To me, this was kind of anti-climatic.

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I felt the same way, marilyn. Anti-climactic.

And Catherine, my guess is that they are trying to decide exactly when and how to release them. I read a list of the specific still shots they have. It said that the one that shows his face and is the best image that lets you see that it is actually him is pretty gruesome - that he was shot above both eyes and it's very bloody. That could gross us out and really enrage his supporters.

The other reality is that we live in a photoshop world, and I don't know that a photo is actually proof of anything, know what I mean? They are so easily doctored that even if they release them, there will always be those who think the image has been altered and that it's not really him.

Yes Wow I agree about the photo I was just talking to my younger dd and I know that if his supporters were to view the photos of their leader dead, it would certaintely make them go crazy and want to seek revenge for his death. Which I am still very concerned. In this case it does not work an eye for any eye, a tooth for a tooth a death for killing someone. This man killed thousands by his plans and the use of his cohorts, however again back to being worried, you would think it would end, but these extremists and racials, they honestly do not care about living or dying, so for them to sacrifice more of their own kind they would in a heartbeat... Peace and blessings to all of our military....Catherine

I'm happy he is dead. Period. Full Stop.

I generally disagree with the death penalty, because I think that innocent people do get wrongfully convicted and disparities about who is sentenced to death, and why, bother me. But when someone is indisputably evil -- Ted Bundy, Timothy McVeigh -- I have no problem.

Here, I have absolutely no problem with Bin Laden's death. I don't care whether he was armed or unarmed. I'm glad the SOB is dead. Actually, I'm happiest that he isn't alive. I'd hate to struggle with notions of the best way, place, etc., to try him and how to treat him as a prisoner.

I don't even care if I'm inconsistent. I'll figure the whole thing out eventually. As the original poster said, "Ding, dong, the witch is dead."

They also don't get on TV due to security concerns. They absolutely take satisfaction in a job well done and mission completed. It's what they train for. A "typical" SEAL is not the type of person you would think they would be, they are a more laid back personna, not one to boast or brag. A friend of mine was so excited and "flattered" that she met a guy in the military and he wanted to date her. I said "oh really??? What's he do, I'll have to see if I can get the goods on him, LOL". When she told me "he's a Navy SEAL" I knew right away he was not being truthful with her. Sure enough, after a VERY small amount of checking, we had our answer. They are a very unique and tight knit group. So proud of them, not just for this mission, but for the huge sacrifices they make all the time. Imagine your DH had to leave "on business" and could NOT tell you where he was going, when he was leaving, or when he would be back???

I guess I'm like you USNmom....partial to the military

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I don't think the public NEEDS to see a photo of him. As countless others have said, a photo can be doctored, etc. Also, what would the picture prove? Do you really think it was that discernable after taking a bullet to the head? I think the people that need to know, or need to see it, saw it. The guys that did it gave a debriefing with all the facts being given and all accounts being given. That's good enough for me.

Also, the "disposal" of the body was apparently filmed. I'm good with it. I have no desire to waste time pondering any theories.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.