Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt
While I seriously doubt the credibility of bin Laden's daughter, executing the man seems perfectly reasonable from a tactical perspective. This is all armchair quarterbacking on my part, but I imagine that there was a bit of a time crunch imposed upon the shooters. They were operating in small numbers, unsupported by air and ground assets, and so could risk only a very short time on target. They didn't have time to wrestle with or otherwise persuade bin Laden to leave with them.
The guy was obviously protected by factions within PAKMIL and, given his status, probably had a quick reaction force in the nearby area. I dont think it would be unreasonable for to the shooters expect some kind of massive response from the nearby military academy and/or the surrounding community. Once the shooters made their presence known on their infiltration, they had to move fast. If bin Laden resisted and slowed the extraction of the team, shooting him would be perfectly acceptable.
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we're all armchair quarterbacks here.
But no, shooting him because they couldnt get the job done isnt a perfectly acceptable reason to kill him. thats an execution style killing. i'd be more cofortable with a shooting from the fog of war than knowing that they killed him because they couldnt get him out. sure they were pressed for time, but a dozen specially trained SEALS could easily put a self styled 60 year old militant out within a few seconds. It has been widely reported that the order was to go in for the kill, so after they got him without a fight, killing him is an execution style killing which wouldnt be sanctioned under international law. But who gives a shit about international law when its the US breaking them right?
the question is, if Osama was killed without a fight as may be the case, and if Obama gave the order to kill Bin Laden, can Obama he be prosecuted by the HRC if he was found of wrong doing?
i also dont think its obvious that Bin laden was protected factions within PAKMIL. If the US intelligence doesnt know for sure, or they are hiding that fact, i dont know how you would know.
As far as Bin ladens daughter is concerned, id be willing to believe a 9 year old girl before i believe the bullshit that the US administration, military and the CIA has been feeding us over the past week.