Osama Bin Laden is Dead

[Bigred]

This news is so big it even deserves a spot on a wargaming blog.

[url]http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/01/bin.laden.obit/index.html?hpt=T1[/url]

I'll never forget waking up to turn on my TV and seeing the 2nd tower fall live... ten years back.

[eldargal]

My brothers woke me up to tell me this, I hope its true. Long, long overdue.

[Bigred]

President Obama just spoke.

The CIA killed him, and has taken custody of the body.

[eldargal]

Good.

[Brass Scorpion]

I let my son stay up late to watch the president's speech about this even though it's a school night. History in the making and some good news for a change.

[url]http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/01/6566912-osama-bin-ladin-is-dead[/url]

Osama bin Ladin is dead
By Laura Conaway
-
Sun May 1, 2011 10:51 PM EDT

The terrorist Osama bin Ladin is dead, NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell reports. The United States has bin Ladin's body, NBC is reporting, and he is dead as the result of an American action in Pakistan Afghanistan (or Pakistan -- this point is not clear) Abbottabad, Pakistan.

"We could be turning to a new phase," Richart Engel is saying on TV. With democracy and the push for democracy taking root across the Middle East, bin Ladin had become "despicable" in the region, he says. And now the U.S. seems to have gotten the man sought by two presidents, in Pakistan, where he'd taken shelter. This so happens to be the eighth anniversary of President George W. Bush donning that flight suit and proclaiming "mission accomplished."

President Bush led the nation into war in Afghanistan to get bin Ladin and to break up the Afghan government that had given him a base for the 9-11 attacks. Mr. Bush then led the nation into war in Iraq under several discredited rationales. American troops continue to sacrifice their lives in both countries. After failing to catch bin Ladin in Afghanistan, the U.S. expanded into what amounts to a third, undeclared war in Pakistan, run by the CIA. NBC reports that bin Ladin was not killed by a drone strike, but rather a Special Ops action that had been months in the making. NBC reports that bin Ladin was shot in the head during a firefight.

A small crowd of 50 or so people has gathered outside the White House, singing the national anthem and cheering. President Obama is expected to speak momentarily.

"Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts," President Obama said, opening with a remembrance of 9-11. He says that since then, we've removed the Taliban government that supported bin Ladin and captured scores of terrorists. He says he directed CIA chief Leon Panetta to make capturing or killing bin Ladin the top priority. Last August, Mr. Obama says, he was briefed on a lead that bin Ladin was hiding in Pakistan. Last week, he believed the United States had enough information to act. Today, the U.S. struck the compound, and killed bin Ladin. "Over the years, I have repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where he was," Mr. Obama said. He added, "On nights like this one, we can say to families who have lost loved ones to Al Qaeda's terror, justice has been done."

Among the many official statements to come tonight from elected leaders is one from former President Bush. He writes in part, "No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

And this from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose primary election was scheduled for 9-11 and interrupted by the attacks: "The killing of Osama bin Laden does not lessen the suffering that New Yorkers and Americans experienced at his hands, but it is a critically important victory for our nation -- and a tribute to the millions of men and women in our armed forces and elsewhere who have fought so hard for our nation."

Rachel just tweeted, "In DC. People streaming on foot toward the WH. Car horns honking and much shouting. People hopping out of cabs in the middle of traffic. Guy on a bike just passed me with a US flag cape. Happy scrum in front of the White House -- USA! USA! Chants. One adorable very drunk guy yelling '10 Years!!'"

[Hive Mind]

"Justice" has apparently been done.

I do find it curious that Americans seem incapable of distinguishing justice and revenge.

[Brass Scorpion]

Hmm, the first use of the word "justice" in a broad, subjective statement in this thread would appear to be in that rhetorical question, thus it appears to be either an attempt at trolling or simply an irrelevant non-sequitur.

[Hive Mind]

Or you are not in full possession of the facts and I'm commenting on a quote from Dubya.

The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done

That one.

[Brass Scorpion]

For the sake of the forum my main interest was merely in preventing this thread from devolving into the usual horrible and irrational crap that any open Internet political discussion inevitably does irrespective of whether I agreed or disagreed with the comment. So, as is often the case to avoid aggravation on this and other forums, I'll make my last comment and then never return to look at the thread again because I'm sure the floodgate of excrement will open once more users are awake.

Cause for celebration or at least a sense of relief that this news is for so many people, the State Dept. is already warning of backlash:

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_bin_laden_warn[/url]

US warns of anti-American violence after bin Laden
AP

MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Matthew Lee, Associated Press – 24 mins ago

WASHINGTON – The State Department early Monday put U.S. embassies on alert and warned of the heightened possibility for anti-American violence after the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden by American forces in Pakistan.

In a worldwide travel alert released shortly after President Barack Obama late Sunday announced bin Laden's death in a U.S. military operation, the department said there was an "enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan."

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations," it said.

The alert said U.S. embassy operations would continue "to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation." It noted that embassies and consulates may temporarily close or suspend public services, depending on conditions.

[Bigred]