It appears Osama Bin Laden is dead!

[Sports Guy]

Obama getting ready to address country...CNN is saying the US has his body and that he is dead.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Awesome. Not to celebrate death but this is a GREAT day for our country.

[ShaneDawg85]

Not since the very early years of being in Afghanistan did I think this would happen.

Sorry if this is inflammatory, but I have to say it:

Reap it Bin Laden, you son of a:old5fan:

[blwalt17]

:2yay-thumb::2yay-thumb:

[glorydays]

Wow... just wow!

As much as I want to celebrate - we need to be cautious. The Middle East is already a bee hive that has been wacked a bunch of times recently. It'll be interesting to see their response to all of this.

[Stotle]

As someone whose office was in Tower 1 and have family connections in the intelligence community, I have mixed emotions. I understand the symbolic importance of UBL's death, but I don't see this changing much from a practical standpoint.

Definitely think the interesting events start AFTER tonight.

[Scrat1]

As someone whose office was in Tower 1 and have family connections in the intelligence community, I have mixed emotions. I understand the symbolic importance of UBL's death, but I don't see this changing much from a practical standpoint.

Definitely think the interesting events start AFTER tonight.

Yeah, I doubt much is going to change from a strategy/political standpoint, but from a more simplistic justice standpoint, I imagine this helps bring some people some closure.

[Sports Guy]

As someone whose office was in Tower 1 and have family connections in the intelligence community, I have mixed emotions. I understand the symbolic importance of UBL's death, but I don't see this changing much from a practical standpoint.

Definitely think the interesting events start AFTER tonight.
Yea...But its always good to get rid of as many whack jobs as possible.

[Stotle]

Yeah, I doubt much is going to change from a strategy/political standpoint, but from a more simplistic justice standpoint, I imagine this helps bring some people some closure.

That's great -- I am very happy, particularly for the co-workers who have been waiting for this and for the people I know in the intelligence community that have been working so hard in their anti-terrorist efforts across the board. It's a good thing, for sure. I'm curious to see how the Middle East reacts.

[glorydays]

Obama getting ready to address country...CNN is saying the US has his body and that he is dead.

I hope we will someday find out how that happened. Is it a good thing that we have his body? It could lead to some great conspiracy theories by both sides.

Killed inside a mansion in Islamabad, Pakistan with his family... not in a cave in the mountains.

[Stotle]

Yea...But its always good to get rid of as many whack jobs as possible.

Oh, for sure. Just curious which direction the immediate fallout is pushed. Without a doubt a great thing, long term.

[Stotle]

I hope we will someday find out how that happened. Is it a good thing that we have his body? It could lead to some great conspiracy theories by both sides.

Killed inside a mansion in Pakistan with family.

Someone will write a book at some point. Not sure how deep the details will get right now. Will depend on what exactly happened.

[glorydays]

Interesting... military went on HIGH alert this morning following credible terrorist threats.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Happy National Schadenfreude Day!

Also...Tony Pente goes to Afghanistan, and only a few short years later Osama buys the مزرعة. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I take back every bad thing I've ever said about you, Tony :p

[scOtt]

I've been kind of dreading this day. Not that I don't think OBL shouldn't pay, rot in hell. But now he's going to be some huge martyr. Short term, expect the terrorist threats to be GREATLY expanded. Every whack job and his brother is going to want revenge on us.

[Sports Guy]

Obama just got re-elected too.(not to turn this into anything political, just making an observation)

[Stotle]

Also, I don't think this was drones or missile -- my money is on special forces and bullet.

[JTrea81]

Also, I don't think this was drones or missile -- my money is on special forces and bullet.

CNN is saying it was a human operation.

[scOtt]

Also, I don't think this was drones or missile -- my money is on special forces and bullet.

If they have his body, yeah. Those bombs only leave pieces.

[Tony-OH]

Happy National Schadenfreude Day!

Also...Tony Pente goes to Afghanistan, and only a few short years later Osama buys the مزرعة. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I take back every bad thing I've ever said about you, Tony :p

Hey i saw a lot more of the world then I even thought thanks to this butt nugget. Glad to see him wiped out, but I agree with Stotle that it will be even more interesting to see how the Muslim world reacts.

[Skeletor]

Probably CIA.

[glorydays]

I've been kind of dreading this day. Not that I don't think OBL shouldn't pay, rot in hell. But now he's going to be some huge martyr. Short term, expect the terrorist threats to be GREATLY expanded. Every whack job and his brother is going to want revenge on us.

Agreed. Celebrate tonight - tomorrow may bring us more trouble.

[glorydays]

CNN is saying it was a human operation.

Pakistan leaders are saying they helped.

[JDRex05]

I've been kind of dreading this day. Not that I don't think OBL shouldn't pay, rot in hell. But now he's going to be some huge martyr. Short term, expect the terrorist threats to be GREATLY expanded. Every whack job and his brother is going to want revenge on us.

On the other side, a man who has become a symbol of our inability to really reach out and touch these groups was just killed by US, I'm sure we will see a spike for a while but in the long run I think this will be beneficial.

[scOtt]

Hey i saw a lot more of the world then I even thought thanks to this butt nugget. Glad to see him wiped out, but I agree with Stotle that it will be even more interesting to see how the Muslim world reacts.

You're closer than most of us... do you think there's even a chance they don't explode?

[Stotle]

If they have his body, yeah. Those bombs only leave pieces.

Sometimes. Hussein's kids were recognizable -- believe they were crushed in the rubble, but don't remember details.

[scOtt]

On the other side, a man who has become a symbol of our inability to really reach out and touch these groups was just killed by US, I'm sure we will see a spike for a while but in the long run I think this will be beneficial.

Oh I agree. He was definitely the leader, and I believe a huge source of funding too. Like I said, short term I'm not too optimistic.

[Stotle]

Pakistan leaders are saying they helped.

Oh, all of the sudden their panties aren't in a wad, huh? Surprising...

[scOtt]

Sometimes. Hussein's kids were recognizable -- believe they were crushed in the rubble, but don't remember details.

True. I also just saw a talking head expert saying the Arab world was going to want to SEE Osama, a body, a face recognizable as Osama. Saying that we can't show a vial of blood and say DNA proves it.

[Stotle]

True. I also just saw a talking head expert saying the Arab world was going to want to SEE Obama, a body, a face recognizable as Obama. Saying that we can't show a vial of blood and say DNA proves it.

Hopefully they're cool with a UBL missing the back of his dome.

[scOtt]

Oh, all of the sudden their panties aren't in a wad, huh? Surprising...

I made Shake-n-Bake.


And I helped!

[mweb]

Great news that our former ally has been killed!

Took longer than I thought, but still great that it happened.

But like others have said, it will be interesting to see the reaction.

[scOtt]

Hopefully they're cool with a UBL missing the back of his dome.

It's sick, but I'm laughing. :p

[Pedro Cerrano]

To use a baseball analogy. He knocked that speech out of the park.

[scOtt]

So he was killed in a fire fight, at a "safe house" and the operation has been in the planning since August. So..... OBL was stupid enough to sit in the same place for 8 months??? What a maroon!

[TonySoprano]

This isn't the army where you shoot him from a mile away. No, you get up close like this and bada-bing you blow their brains all over your nice Ivy League suit.

Back on topic, how long does it take for a positive DNA test match to be made?

[The Wedge]

This isn't the army where you shoot him from a mile away. No, you get up close like this and bada-bing you blow their brains all over your nice Ivy League suit.

Back on topic, how long does it take for a positive DNA test match to be made?

In CSI world, hours. I'm thinking they put on a rush on it so whatever a science savvy person says it takes, it takes. ;)

[SammyBirdland]

Rumor has it that the tipster who led us to bin Laden has his choice of either $25 million or a full tank of gas as a reward.

[scOtt]

What is JSOC?

Joint Special Ops Command?

Joint Services Overseas Command?

[JDubs]

Kind of annoyed they killed him.

Doesn't seem fair that he gets to die, while so many other people are stuck here.....

Congrats on inventing the first, "OMG, did I just think that or did I type it" technology.

[Maverick2143]

Would love to buy those special forces guys a beer.

I truely believe there is a special ring of hell reserved for this guy.

[scOtt]

He would have plenty of time to suffer, as they aren't killed immediately. I am not sure where his mind was, but if I was a family of a 9/11 vicitim I would love to be able to ask him questions.

Move to Canada?

I rather move into a grave with Osama than live anywhere.... Life sucks.... Maybe it is good for you, but for me it absoloutely sucks....

Moreover I'm sorry if I am not enthused about celebrating over a dead mans body. Get ready for some savage behavior by Americans.

I sympathize with your pain too. Really.

I just wanted to say... let's all not get too political, or too snippy, or else we won't be allowed to talk about this at all.

[scOtt]

I'm not celebrating over the guy's body either, but jeez kid...you need some therapy or something? Not a healthy mindset there re: "rather in a grave than living anywhere". :noidea:

Lighten up, Francis.

[blueman20]

What is JSOC?

Joint Special Ops Command?

Joint Services Overseas Command?

Joint Special Ops Command

Delta Force, SEALS, Rangers, and Green Berets and NightStalkers (the Special Forces Helicopter guys)

[BaltimoreTerp]

There's a Dale Brown novel somewhere in all of this...

[scOtt]

Joint Special Ops Command

Delta Force, SEALS, Rangers, and Green Berets and NightStalkers (the Special Forces Helicopter guys)

Thanks. I figured that from the reporter's context, just wasn't sure of the exact title.

That reporter said over and over how important they were in this whole operation. Couldn't have been accomplished by any one force alone.

[Stotle]

Thanks. I figured that from the reporter's context, just wasn't sure of the exact title.

That reporter said over and over how important they were in this whole operation. Couldn't have been accomplished by any one force alone.

And no US KIAs. Special Forces are incredible.

[scOtt]

Huge spontaneous crowd across from the White House. No speaker, just constantly cheering.

[The Wedge]

There's a Dale Brown novel somewhere in all of this...

Wait, do you mean Dan Brown? Or is there really a Dale Brown?

[Malike]

Its a good for Americans. As others noted, it will be interesting to see how the Muslim world receives this. I suspect, that because Osama killed thousands of Muslims, that true peace loving Muslims will be happy with this. I've also stepped on a cockroach or two myself before and I've seen how quickly another comes out of the wood work to replace it.

Now for my wish. Bury that b@stard under the site of the WTC, so Americans can walk all over him for the rest of times.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Wait, do you mean Dan Brown? Or is there really a Dale Brown?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Brown

There probably would have been a bigger role in the bin Laden operation for a modified B-52 bomber, but yeah, pretty much.

[crowmst3k!]

Bin Laden dead? Check. All that needs to happen now is an orioles world series victory to seal 2011 as a pretty awesome year.

[SteveA]

Wait, do you mean Dan Brown? Or is there really a Dale Brown?

There's at least two Dale Browns.

One writes military techno-thrillers.
The other used to coach the LSU basketball team.
Unless they are the same guy.

[The Wedge]

There's at least two Dale Browns.

One writes military techno-thrillers.
The other used to coach the LSU basketball team.
Unless they are the same guy.

Heh, I obviously meant an author of any sort of thriller. :D

[PrivateO]

Good to hear the OH! when the crowd outside the White House was singing the National Anthem.

Today is symbolic. But things are not over.

[TonySoprano]

In CSI world, hours. I'm thinking they put on a rush on it so whatever a science savvy person says it takes, it takes. ;)

I just spoke with a friend of mine who assists those who does this testing for one of our intelligence agencies, and at minimum it's an 18-28 hour process.

[The Wedge]

I just spoke with a friend of mine who assists those who does this testing for one of our intelligence agencies, and at minimum it's an 18-28 hour process.

Well, there you go, though I'd suspect it's closer to the 18 hour mark than the 28.

[sangar]

I would rather have seen him rot in an American prison but dead is good.

[scOtt]

I just spoke with a friend of mine who assists those who does this testing for one of our intelligence agencies, and at minimum it's an 18-28 hour process.

I would guess they'd check it several times so they're 200, 300% sure. Probably a couple days.

[tinamodotti]

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz37/ooterp/osama.gif

[scOtt]

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NW8ko4x5ukg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[TonySoprano]

I would guess they'd check it several times so they're 200, 300% sure. Probably a couple days.


The United States is conducting DNA testing on slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and used facial recognition techniques to help identify him, a U.S. official said on Monday.

Bin Laden was identified by the assault force that killed him in a firefight in Pakistan in which he resisted and was shot in the head, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Results of the DNA tests should be available in the next few days, the official told Reuters. source - Reuters (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110502/ts_nm/us_binladen_dna_1)


Anyway, he's in a govt. freezer with a toe tag, which is what is important. You know if the situation was reversed those #*&@ animals would have the body on display and desecrated.

[Birds of B'more]

Those who celebrate May Day will have to make room for another May 1st celebration. May 1st needs to be a new US national holiday.

[scOtt]

Those who celebrate May Day will have to make room for another May 1st celebration. May 1st needs to be a new US national holiday.

May 1st for me was the anniversary of my first marriage. MAY DAY! MAY DAY! That'll definitely change for me now. :D

[scOtt]

Just reported on MSNBC, the Pakistani government wasn't notified at all until this operation was already under way. Their official reaction tomorrow (today there) will be overwhelmingly positive.

[Remember The Alomar]

Not a rah rah kind of guy, but this picture is awesome.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/05/02/world/02binladen4_683/02binladen4_683-custom11.jpg

[JDRex05]

Check this out, some guy unknowingly was tweeting about the raid that got Osama, He lives in that city and could hear explosions and helicopters.

as of 2:45 am est the timestamp on those tweets is about 10 hours previous.

http://twitter.com/#!/ReallyVirtual

[O-The-Memories]

I think he's been dead for years. I know I sound like a conspiracy nut, but it's awful coincidental that he's killed at a time when our economy sucks, gas prices are spiraling out of control and Obama is making a push for re-election. The bogeyman might have just been "killed", but we can't let our guard down now. No pictures, body buried at sea (no chance of DNA testing done by a third party).....I don't like where this might be going.

I hope I'm 100% wrong, but I'm a skeptic by nature.

[tennOsfan]

I pray our government wasn't so stupid to do this in a way that would allow conspiracy theories to sprout.

Hang on for the ride!

[TonySoprano]

Osama Bin Fish Food


U.S. officials tell me the last thing they want is for his burial place to become a terrorist shrine.

To avoid that, an informed source tells me, the intention is the bury his body at sea — leaving no definitive location for the final resting place of his body.

A senior administration official tells my colleague Jake Tapper this about the body: “We are ensuring it is handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition. It’s something we take seriously and therefore it’s being handled in an appropriate manner.‬”


UPDATE: CNN is now reporting that Bin Laden has already been buried at sea. For what it’s worth, I’ve seen separate reports Facial recognition software was used to do a preliminary I.D. and officials say DNA samples have been collected for more thorough testing. source - National Review (http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/266159/officials-say-administration-ensuring-bin-laden-s-body-being-handled-accordance-islami)

[waroriole]

Great news. I think the fact that we buried him at sea in accordance with Islamic principles says what kind of country we are to the rest of the world. Also, apparently the burial at an undisclosed location at sea prevents a shrine and thousands of flockers to that shrine.

[Phantom]

Agreed. The quick burial at sea was a masterstroke, both politically and karmic-ly. Now we don't have to sit through hours of debate about what to do and whether to show the body, etc.

[TGO]

Not only did the special forces guys get their man, but they BLEW UP ONE OF THEIR OWN HELICOPTERS TO KEEP IT FROM BEING TAKEN BY OUR ENEMIES (or "allies" -- the Pakistanis always like to have a new toy). The helicopter had a mechanical failure and could not take off on the exit.

That is some badassery.

[TGO]

Oh, and while I know some would have preferred to see him captured and tried before being killed, I guarantee no one in the US government felt that way. Having him alive in our custody would have been an utter disaster politically and diplomatically.

Besides, thinking he would ever apologize or even feel remorse is just naive. I am normally one to tell people that no death should be celebrated, but in this case this is absolutely the best thing that could have happened.

[Phantom]

I think he's been dead for years. I know I sound like a conspiracy nut, but it's awful coincidental that he's killed at a time when our economy sucks, gas prices are spiraling out of control and Obama is making a push for re-election. The bogeyman might have just been "killed", but we can't let our guard down now. No pictures, body buried at sea (no chance of DNA testing done by a third party).....I don't like where this might be going.

I hope I'm 100% wrong, but I'm a skeptic by nature.

Well, I think the skeptical part of you should realize what is and is not a realistic situation for a conspiracy. Too many people know too many details that would have had to have been faked. Obama wouldn't have laid out this almost year long intelligence campaign if he was looking to fake it. It would have been something fluky, and they would have blown the "body" to smithereens.

Edit: Always ironic when you misspell intelligence...

[ShaneDawg85]

While taking him alive and putting him on trial would have been great on one level, it would have been impossible on another. There's enough controversy with trying Guantanamo prisoners on American soil already, so imagine trying to put Bin Laden on trial in America and all of the fighting and emotion wrapped up into that. Add to that the fact that the media attention on such a trial would be unlike anything you could ever imagine, and there would be no way of controlling it.

It's also been stated quite rightly that expecting any sort of apology or remorse from the guy if he had been brought to trial would be hope wasted. Hell, Charles Manson has been in prison for forty years and he's still convinced he did nothing wrong and didn't give any orders to kill anybody.

On some level it's disappointing he won't get to face justice by trial, but on another level it's better that way, and he met a brutal an end as a means for the brutality that he orchestrated. Justice will never totally be served, but at least we got some dose of it last night.

[Hank Scorpio]

Unfortunately, we'll never be able to erase the fact he pulled off what he pulled off.

I'm actually grateful that it was a kill mission. No need for a trial, here. He's alread plead guilty a thousand times. The bigger picture here is: You can run and you can hide, but eventually we'll get your ass.

[Sports Guy]

What a coincidence it is that Hitler was also confirmed dead on May 1....That little nugget thanks to Seth(beaner) on facebook.

[Tony-OH]

As more and more information gets out, it's becoming clear this was a fantastically run operation. The fact that a mechanical problem with one of the helicopters was dealt with quickly and distinctly while being nothing more than a blip in the operations shows us how prepared this unit was for the job. This truly was the best of the best I'm looking forward to the day that the video of this operations gets out.

I don't know if this changes anything but it certainly is a nice lift for the country and I always enjoy events where Americans are proud to be Americans again, regardless of their political affiliation.

[JDubs]

I would guess they'd check it several times so they're 200, 300% sure. Probably a couple days.

Well they can test multiple samples simultaneously, so it may be quicker than that.

[Hank Scorpio]

As more and more information gets out, it's becoming clear this was a fantastically run operation. The fact that a mechanical problem with one of the helicopters was dealt with quickly and distinctly while being nothing more than a blip in the operations shows us how prepared this unit was for the job. This truly was the best of the best I'm looking forward to the day that the video of this operations gets out.

I don't know if this changes anything but it certainly is a nice lift for the country and I always enjoy events where Americans are proud to be Americans again, regardless of their political affiliation.

+1,000,000

Doesn't happen nearly as often as it should.

[Sports Guy]

Since this board is dominated mostly by sports talk, just wanted to throw this out there....

The first Sunday of the NFL season is on 9/11. You now go into the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with Bin Laden being killed....Are you, as the NFL, really going to be on strike on that day?

You better not be.

[Sports Guy]

As more and more information gets out, it's becoming clear this was a fantastically run operation. The fact that a mechanical problem with one of the helicopters was dealt with quickly and distinctly while being nothing more than a blip in the operations shows us how prepared this unit was for the job. This truly was the best of the best I'm looking forward to the day that the video of this operations gets out.

I don't know if this changes anything but it certainly is a nice lift for the country and I always enjoy events where Americans are proud to be Americans again, regardless of their political affiliation.

Tony, the guys in that unit, especially the one who actually killed him, are in for a nice little pay raise, huh?

[waroriole]

As more and more information gets out, it's becoming clear this was a fantastically run operation. The fact that a mechanical problem with one of the helicopters was dealt with quickly and distinctly while being nothing more than a blip in the operations shows us how prepared this unit was for the job. This truly was the best of the best I'm looking forward to the day that the video of this operations gets out.

I don't know if this changes anything but it certainly is a nice lift for the country and I always enjoy events where Americans are proud to be Americans again, regardless of their political affiliation.

Agree with everything you say. You would obviously know better than most here that it was a perfectly run operation, but I especially agree with that. They only told a few American officials and didn't appear to be willing to leave anything to chance. Apparently Obama had been meeting with his top security people for a couple of months, and they were waiting for the perfect opportunity to get him. Well done.

[waroriole]

Since this board is dominated mostly by sports talk, just wanted to throw this out there....

The first Sunday of the NFL season is on 9/11. You now go into the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with Bin Laden being killed....Are you, as the NFL, really going to be on strike on that day?

You better not be.

Nice call. They would be pretty much disowned by alot of Americans. Not that I thought they were ever going to not play, but this settles it.

[weams]

Also, I don't think this was drones or missile -- my money is on special forces and bullet.

In the left eye.

[Sports Guy]

In the left eye.

Moe Green special huh?

[weams]

http://www.slate.com/id/2292687/

Pakistan was sheltering him.

[Stotle]

http://www.slate.com/id/2292687/

Pakistan was sheltering him.

Without a doubt. He's living in a compound about 6-8 times larger than any other building in the village -- a village that abuts a Pakistani military base -- and they didn't know?

[weams]

Without a doubt. He's living in a compound about 6-8 times larger than any other building in the village -- a village that abuts a Pakistani military base -- and they didn't know?

They knew and were keeping him safe for ten years.

[weams]

Our President notified their president while the mission was occurring.

[Can_of_corn]

Without a doubt. He's living in a compound about 6-8 times larger than any other building in the village -- a village that abuts a Pakistani military base -- and they didn't know?

Of course they knew...its the way the game is played over there.

I am just glad that this if finally over.

I just can't help but think it could have been taken care of before Clinton left office.

[Can_of_corn]

They knew and were keeping him safe for ten years.


That is an exaggeration.

[weams]

Of course they knew...its the way the game is played over there.

I am just glad that this if finally over.

I just can't help but think it could have been taken care of before Clinton left office. Unfortunately up until this time, we kept our "allies" in the loop.

[Stotle]

Of course they knew...its the way the game is played over there.

I am just glad that this if finally over.

I just can't help but think it could have been taken care of before Clinton left office.

The future FP towards Pakistan is going to be in the forefront -- Republican congressman already positioning. Fallout domestic and abroad is going to be very interesting.

[weams]

That is an exaggeration.

Ok, I retract the statement. And I have been known to exaggerate.

[Can_of_corn]

Unfortunately up until this time, we kept our "allies" in the loop.

That is not the issue I am speaking off.

[Dipper9]

As more and more information gets out, it's becoming clear this was a fantastically run operation. The fact that a mechanical problem with one of the helicopters was dealt with quickly and distinctly while being nothing more than a blip in the operations shows us how prepared this unit was for the job. This truly was the best of the best I'm looking forward to the day that the video of this operations gets out.

I don't know if this changes anything but it certainly is a nice lift for the country and I always enjoy events where Americans are proud to be Americans again, regardless of their political affiliation.

Seeing the videos from Ground Zero and Times Square brought a tear to my eye.

Through all the complaining we do on a daily basis, from everything from gas prices to taxes to political beliefs to Orioles games, one thing that we too often forget is that this is without a doubt the Greatest Country ion the World.

I have not been a big supporter of President Obama, but koodos to you Mr. President on a job well done!

[Can_of_corn]

Seeing the videos from Ground Zero and Times Square brought a tear to my eye.

Through all the complaining we do on a daily basis, from everything from gas prices to taxes to political beliefs to Orioles games, one thing that we too often forget is that this is without a doubt the Greatest Country ion the World.

I have not been a big supporter of President Obama, but koodos to you Mr. President on a job well done!

Now that I can agree with 100%.

[Tony-OH]

Tony, the guys in that unit, especially the one who actually killed him, are in for a nice little pay raise, huh?

Those guys are truly under paid, but they get some bonuses that help make up for things. These guys are amazing and they know when they are ready to make some real money they can always jump over to the contract side, but operations like this is what everyone of them lives for.

[TGO]

The problem with Pakistan is the government does not entirely control the military and security forces. So it's difficult to say "Pakistan sheltered him." Surely a large number of people on the Pakistani government payroll knew he was there and protected him, but the accusation that a state sheltered a known terrorist from an ally that was hunting him is obviously very serious and cannot be made lightly.

Maybe it's a distinction without a difference but it's probably a distinction that will be made. Pakistan's population is 6 times that of Afghanistan and it has nuclear weapons. It's the most populous Islamic state in the world (Indonesia has a larger population and is 80+% Muslim but is not an Islamic state).

[Hank Scorpio]

Those guys are truly under paid, but they get some bonuses that help make up for things. These guys are amazing and they know when they are ready to make some real money they can always jump over to the contract side, but operations like this is what everyone of them lives for.

No doubt, the ability to say they were involved in the operation that took Bin Laden is likely worth more to most of them than money.

[weams]

The problem with Pakistan is the government does not entirely control the military and security forces. So it's difficult to say "Pakistan sheltered him." Surely a large number of people on the Pakistani government payroll knew he was there and protected him, but the accusation that a state sheltered a known terrorist from an ally that was hunting him is obviously very serious and cannot be made lightly.

Maybe it's a distinction without a difference but it's probably a distinction that will be made. Pakistan's population is 6 times that of Afghanistan and it has nuclear weapons. It's the most populous Islamic state in the world (Indonesia has a larger population and is 80+% Muslim but is not an Islamic state).
This is a well thought out statement.

[Tony-OH]

Seeing the videos from Ground Zero and Times Square brought a tear to my eye.

Through all the complaining we do on a daily basis, from everything from gas prices to taxes to political beliefs to Orioles games, one thing that we too often forget is that this is without a doubt the Greatest Country ion the World.

I have not been a big supporter of President Obama, but koodos to you Mr. President on a job well done!

This is a situation that I don't feel is a Republican or Democrat issue. It's an American issue and I applaud the President and everyone involved in getting it done professionally and cleanly. On top of it, we took a few prisoners and with UBL dead, I'm guessing they are going to be a treasure trove of information.

[Stotle]

The problem with Pakistan is the government does not entirely control the military and security forces. So it's difficult to say "Pakistan sheltered him." Surely a large number of people on the Pakistani government payroll knew he was there and protected him, but the accusation that a state sheltered a known terrorist from an ally that was hunting him is obviously very serious and cannot be made lightly.

Maybe it's a distinction without a difference but it's probably a distinction that will be made. Pakistan's population is 6 times that of Afghanistan and it has nuclear weapons. It's the most populous Islamic state in the world (Indonesia has a larger population and is 80+% Muslim but is not an Islamic state).

Completely agree -- but I think it's safe to say that the US/Pakistani convos away from the media are not going to be cozy, and Pakistani officials are going to have a whole mess of questions to answer.

The complexities associated with the interworkings of Pakistan are exactly why I said FP issues are going to dominate the political landscape in the immediate aftermath. I have a couple connections fairly high up at NSA and while I obviously get no details I was told years back that Pakistan was going to be the most complicated long term issue for the US to figure out.

[Tony-OH]

No doubt, the ability to say they were involved in the operation that took Bin Laden is likely worth more to most of them than money.


I know I would have given my left nad to be involved. I haven't been involved in anything so high vis but I can tell you, any operation that is going after a a bad guy is an adrenaline rush not topped by much.

[Dipper9]

This is a situation that I don't feel is a Republican or Democrat issue. It's an American issue and I applaud the President and everyone involved in getting it done professionally and cleanly. On top of it, we took a few prisoners and with UBL dead, I'm guessing they are going to be a treasure trove of information.

This MAY turn out to be even more important than Bin Laden's death. Time will tell I guess.

[square634]

So here's a question I haven't seen answered. If we are using DNA testing to confirm Bin Laden's death, doesn't that imply that we already had a sample of his DNA somewhere?

Edit: Oh right, living relatives. Duh.

[TonySoprano]

In the left eye.

Moe Green special huh?


The argument against releasing the pictures: they’re gruesome. He has a massive head wound above his left eye where he took bullet, with brains and blood visible. source - ABC News (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/05/white-house-officials-debate-releasing-photographs-of-bin-ladens-corpse-1.html)

ETA:

After bursts of fire over 40 minutes, 22 people were killed or captured. One of the dead was Osama bin Laden, done in by a double tap -- boom, boom -- to the left side of his face. source - National Journal (http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_exclusive/20110502/pl_yblog_exclusive/the-secret-team-that-killed-bin-laden)

[Hank Scorpio]

I know I would have given my left nad to be involved. I haven't been involved in anything so high vis but I can tell you, any operation that is going after a a bad guy is an adrenaline rush not topped by much.

I can only imagine.

I have a buddy who flies Super Cobras for the Marines in Afghanistan, he's been involved in a handful of ops that have taken out insurgents planting roadside bombs. I'll never forget what he said to me during his most recent leave: "There's no feeling like knowing you've just saved someone's life by taking another's."

Crazy stuff.

[weams]

http://twitpic.com/4s8nfq/full

Abbottabad Pakistan a hours minutes ago.


also,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/navy-seals-who-killed-osama-bin-laden-are-from-the-elite-team-6/2011/05/02/AFCC93YF_blog.html

[Dipper9]

http://twitpic.com/4s8nfq/full

Abbottabad Pakistan a few minutes ago.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this picture showing?

[cwalker3]

That is an exaggeration.

So UBL builds a complex 60 miles from their capital and even closer to one of Pakistan's military bases, and you think it's an exaggeration to say that they knew he was there and were protecting him. Give me a break. Pakistan has been in bed with him from the get go. Why else would they refuse to allow our people to search for him in their country? Now that we've killed him and we know that Pakistan helped him, that 1.5 billion dollars a year that we give them will look real nice going back into our coffers here in the US.

[TGO]

Since talking about Pakistan makes my brain hurt, can I just interject that Osama Bin Laden and his cronies were a bunch of friggin' poseurs? Putting out videos of themselves hiking in the mountains and desert and shooting guns and bragging about how impossible they are to find, while they're living in a concrete mansion with three story walls next to the Pakistani version of West Point?

When we rolled in they were probably pounding Zimas and watching tapes of last season's Celebrity Apprentice and Real Housewives of DC. And then **** gets real and they use women as human shields.

Cowards.

[weams]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this picture showing?

A street in Abbottaadad, down the street from the compound.

[Can_of_corn]

The period of time Weams mentioned is, in my opinion, an exaggeration. I did not deny that it occurred, I was doubting the amount of time it had been going on.

Edit- I will say that I am not 100% sure of Bin Laden's location over the period of time Weams mentioned.

[TGO]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this picture showing?

It may not look it but it's a fairly upscale suburb (see fake Armani store). Bin Laden was living in the Pakistani equivalent of Bethesda.

[Dipper9]

A street in Abbottaadad, down the street from the compound.


It may not look it but it's a fairly upscale suburb (see fake Armani store). Bin Laden was living in the Pakistani equivalent of Bethesda.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

[LookinUp]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/navy-seals-who-killed-osama-bin-laden-are-from-the-elite-team-6/2011/05/02/AFCC93YF_blog.html

Awesome stuff. I'm stoked today. I hate that we're cheering anyone's death, but am cheering it myself. The world is an ugly place, and we did what we had to do.

For me, it's time to have a personal moment of silence for so many Americans who have been through so much since 9/11. From the people who died, to the military men and women who died, to all of their families, to the folks who have been deployed so often and their families and friends too, to our national security teams for both Bush and Obama.

I am so proud of this country and so thankful for the people who protect us. We will always have something they don't...freedom. They think they're fighting a long war, but they'll never defeat the principals that we live by.

[waroriole]

The problem with Pakistan is the government does not entirely control the military and security forces. So it's difficult to say "Pakistan sheltered him." Surely a large number of people on the Pakistani government payroll knew he was there and protected him, but the accusation that a state sheltered a known terrorist from an ally that was hunting him is obviously very serious and cannot be made lightly.

Maybe it's a distinction without a difference but it's probably a distinction that will be made. Pakistan's population is 6 times that of Afghanistan and it has nuclear weapons. It's the most populous Islamic state in the world (Indonesia has a larger population and is 80+% Muslim but is not an Islamic state).

This is a great point, and a distinction that many people need to start making.

[Birds of B'more]

Those guys are truly under paid, but they get some bonuses that help make up for things. These guys are amazing and they know when they are ready to make some real money they can always jump over to the contract side, but operations like this is what everyone of them lives for.

The "high" those guys must be on right now has to be better than anything money can buy.

[weams]

The period of time Weams mentioned is, in my opinion, an exaggeration. I did not deny that it occurred, I was doubting the amount of time it had been going on.

Edit- I will say that I am not 100% sure of Bin Laden's location over the period of time Weams mentioned.
And since the compound was built for him in 2005, I would suggest that you are correct.

[Miller192]

http://twitpic.com/4s8nfq/full

Abbottabad Pakistan a hours minutes ago.



Beers on me at Nawab's

[waroriole]

http://twitpic.com/4s8nfq/full

Abbottabad Pakistan a hours minutes ago.


also,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/navy-seals-who-killed-osama-bin-laden-are-from-the-elite-team-6/2011/05/02/AFCC93YF_blog.html

Interesting that he lived in a place where English is apparently common.

[Can_of_corn]

Interesting that he lived in a place where English is apparently common.

I would think there is a direct correlation between an area's affluence and the frequency of English as a second language.

[Stotle]

Al Jazeera (English Feed) skewering US right now. Says "mixed message" about importance of getting UBL and whether it makes the world safer or more dangerous in the short term. Said US search for UBL, and how long it took, was an embarassment -- particularly because he was in a home in a suburb of Islamabad and not hiding "in some cave in the mountains". Says US/Pakistani relations will likely be very strained for freseeable future. Says US policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan will be under microscope -- US citizens will expect sizeable withdrawal from Afgahnistan while military/intelligence community unlikely to suggest that course of action any time soon, considering importance of trying to insure stablizing force in the region (Pakistan's potential overt involvement in hiding UBL underlines fact US cannot rely on them as regional ally and stablizing force).

[Miller192]

Al Jazeera (English Feed) skewering US right now. Says "mixed message" about importance of getting UBL and whether it makes the world safer or more dangerous in the short term. Said US search for UBL, and how long it took, was an embarassment -- particularly because he was in a home in a suburb of Islamabad and not hiding "in some cave in the mountains". Says US/Pakistani relations will likely be very strained for freseeable future. Says US policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan will be under microscope -- US citizens will expect sizeable withdrawal from Afgahnistan while military/intelligence community unlikely to suggest that course of action any time soon, considering importance of trying to insure stablizing force in the region (Pakistan's potential overt involvement in hiding UBL underlines fact US cannot rely on them as regional ally and stablizing force).

Skewer away.

Bin Laden wasn't in a home for 10 years in central Pakistan. I don't know if that fact that it took 10 years to find him is a bad thing or not. It shows our resiliency for a target that heavily protected. Hopefully, our resolve helps sway the minds of potential terrorist recruits.

[MikeAD]

http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-watched-live-video-of-bin-laden-raid-2011-5

"President Obama watched live video of the raid on Bin Laden's compound yesterday, a source tells us."

[MikeAD]

Some news coming out on who was involved. Everyone deserves so much commendation (bottom to top, top to bottom) for how this was done
.
http://www.whorunsgov.com/beltwiki/discussion/who-knew-profiles-of-the-people-who-planned-and-executed-the-mission-to-kill-bin-laden/

We will probably never know the name of who pulled the trigger, or even everyone who was in the compound, but I have to wonder. Who is he, how old was he on 9/11, where was he then? To him and the rest, I say thank you. I have been taking it in since the announcement last night, I really hope that everyone, everywhere is. Kids should be learning today about what was done last night for their freedom.

[Danielos38]

Since this board is dominated mostly by sports talk, just wanted to throw this out there....

The first Sunday of the NFL season is on 9/11. You now go into the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with Bin Laden being killed....Are you, as the NFL, really going to be on strike on that day?

You better not be.

Giants @ Redskins and someone (Patriots I think?) @ Jets.... Both of those games NEED to happen. Both cities most directly effected playing eachother... would be an incredible moment.

[Dr. FLK]

http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-watched-live-video-of-bin-laden-raid-2011-5

"President Obama watched live video of the raid on Bin Laden's compound yesterday, a source tells us."

If he had made that live feed a pay-per-view event, he could have balanced the budget in one night.

[JDubs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM_tDB8OZok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM_tDB8OZok)

Good day to be an American.

[Dr. FLK]

I know it's not good to rejoice in death...but ya know what? I don't mind rejoicing the the demise of scumbags who deserve it.

Good riddance UBL. Congrats Team 6. God Bless America.

[Austin]

We will probably never know the name of who pulled the trigger, or even everyone who was in the compound, but I have to wonder. Who is he, how old was he on 9/11, where was he then?

Seriously. Really hits home for me when you realize the guy who pulled the trigger was probably around my age - barely a teenager when 9/11 happened. He'll never have to buy a drink again in his life.

[MikeAD]

Seriously. Really hits home for me when you realize the guy who pulled the trigger was probably around my age - barely a teenager when 9/11 happened. He'll never have to buy a drink again in his life.

Yeah. One of my friends enlisted on 9/18/2001. He would have on 9/12 but he was a volunteer firefighter and his crew was helping. The military is full of people like this. As a country we hold up celebrities and athletes, socialites, politicians but its these people these guys and girls that go to their job everyday and get credit for nothing that are the heroes.

[TGO]

Some news coming out on who was involved. Everyone deserves so much commendation (bottom to top, top to bottom) for how this was done
.
http://www.whorunsgov.com/beltwiki/discussion/who-knew-profiles-of-the-people-who-planned-and-executed-the-mission-to-kill-bin-laden/

We will probably never know the name of who pulled the trigger, or even everyone who was in the compound, but I have to wonder. Who is he, how old was he on 9/11, where was he then? To him and the rest, I say thank you. I have been taking it in since the announcement last night, I really hope that everyone, everywhere is. Kids should be learning today about what was done last night for their freedom.

Probably 11 or 12 years old.

[Dr. FLK]

Seriously. Really hits home for me when you realize the guy who pulled the trigger was probably around my age - barely a teenager when 9/11 happened. He'll never have to buy a drink again in his life.

He probably will. Because - from the sounds of the elite group he's in - no one will ever know he's in the group or pulled the trigger.

[Austin]

He probably will. Because - from the sounds of the elite group he's in - no one will ever know he's in the group or pulled the trigger.

Well then the government better give this man enough drinks to last a lifetime.

[TonySoprano]

Irony.


DUBAI/ABBOTTABAD (Reuters) - In the early hours of Monday, Sohaib Athar reported on Twitter that a loud bang had rattled his windows in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad, adding that he hoped it wasn't "the start of something nasty.

A few hours later Athar posted another tweet: "Uh oh, now I'm the guy who liveblogged the Osama raid without knowing it."

In the age of Twitter, perhaps it's no surprise that the first signs of the U.S. operation that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden were noticed by an IT consultant awake late at night.

Athar, a resident of Abbottabad where bin Laden was holed up in a fortified mansion, first noticed the sound of a helicopter and thought it unusual enough to post via his Twitter account.

"I was awake, working on my computer when I heard a sound of helicopter. It was rare here. It hovered for about six minutes and then there was a big blast and power gone," Athar, 34, said in an interview with Reuters.

"I tweeted it because it was something unusual in the city," said Athar, adding that he moved from Lahore to the city a year and a half ago to avoid "bomb blasts and terrorist attacks." source - Reuters (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/raid-against-osama-bin-laden-captured-twitter-101832783.html)



We will probably never know the name of who pulled the trigger, or even everyone who was in the compound, but I have to wonder. Who is he, how old was he on 9/11, where was he then? To him and the rest, I say thank you. I have been taking it in since the announcement last night, I really hope that everyone, everywhere is. Kids should be learning today about what was done last night for their freedom.He's a huge hero here, but the target he (not to forget his family) would have on his back would be Salman Rushdie x 1,000. For that, he'll remain forever anonymous.

[JDubs]

The internet nerd-fest going on right now is epic!
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=615c27fdd4&view=att&th=12fb1372c702f714&attid=0.3&disp=thd&realattid=f_gn7j88cl2&zw

http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Boards/800/5800/120293.png

http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Boards/619/10619/120030.jpg

http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Boards/71/6071/120317.jpg

[The Wedge]

Yeah, tons of good stuff out there. I'm still personally proud of this FB status I posted while waiting for the PC to start: It's official. PC delay due to Obama doing the Carlton dance.

[weams]

http://www.nypost.com/video?vxSiteId=fe3e21a8-49f1-4cec-9ba5-cfe372fa6572&vxChannel=PostUsFeed&vxClipId=1458_1211586&vxBitrate=700

[TonySoprano]

Something I came up with.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn160/TonySoprano2008/trumposama.jpg


ETA: deal with it, Pedro. :D

[SammyBirdland]

http://www.nypost.com/video?vxSiteId=fe3e21a8-49f1-4cec-9ba5-cfe372fa6572&vxChannel=PostUsFeed&vxClipId=1458_1211586&vxBitrate=700

Awww, I watched the whole video waiting for some Family Guy Stephen Hawking-style computer generated talk :(

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WBlP1hfB3fQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Pedro Cerrano]

Something I came up with.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn160/TonySoprano2008/trumposama.jpg


ETA: deal with it, Pedro. :D


That joke is like, so 10 hours ago.... :-)

[blid]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/05/curt-schilling-we-should-not-have-given-bin-laden-muslim-burial/1

Curt Schilling really should stop opening his mouth.

[blid]

Well, he can't really publicly support a foreign army running unauthorized military campaigns on sovereign Pakistani soil, so what else is he gonna say?

OMG, vanishing post above this

[The Wedge]

Even Jean-Luc Picard, a character written as a consummate diplomat, knew when to throw the shields up and open up the phaser banks.

[ledzepp8]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/05/curt-schilling-we-should-not-have-given-bin-laden-muslim-burial/1

Curt Schilling really should stop opening his mouth.

Why should he stop opening his mouth? Just because you disagree with him?

I don't really care either way and I can understand why they gave him the Muslim burial, but Schilling does have a point.

[scOtt]

http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-watched-live-video-of-bin-laden-raid-2011-5

"President Obama watched live video of the raid on Bin Laden's compound yesterday, a source tells us."

I was thinking about this last night, that the soldiers were likely to have cameras. Specifically, that if there is skepticsm from the death pics or DNA, there might be undeniable video or pictures of OBL right before he died.

[Sports Guy]

Giants @ Redskins and someone (Patriots I think?) @ Jets.... Both of those games NEED to happen. Both cities most directly effected playing eachother... would be an incredible moment.

Yep...The Steelers are here in Baltimore but still, the people in the plane crash outside of Pitt need to be remembered too...After all, what they did on that plane could have saved thousands of more lives.

[mweb]

Other than what Stotle posted earlier, have any of you guys heard much about the worldwide and specifically Islam world's reaction to this?

[Pedro Cerrano]

Yep...The Steelers are here in Baltimore but still, the people in the plane crash outside of Pitt need to be remembered too...After all, what they did on that plane could have saved thousands of more lives.

Can you imagine if that plane had hit the US Capitol Building and killed some or all of Congress? Disaster.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Other than what Stotle posted earlier, have any of you guys heard much about the worldwide and specifically Islam world's reaction to this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42862486#42862486

[JDubs]

Can you imagine if that plane had hit the US Capitol Building and killed some or all of Congress? Disaster.

That'd be awful. Good thing Congress is rarely in the Capitol Building. :)

[cwalker3]

Seriously. Really hits home for me when you realize the guy who pulled the trigger was probably around my age - barely a teenager when 9/11 happened. He'll never have to buy a drink again in his life.

Sure he will. Because he'll never tell a single soul that it was him that pulled the trigger. For one thing, if his name was ever made public, his and his familiy's lives would be in constant danger. And second, heroes never brag.

[cwalker3]

Can you imagine if that plane had hit the US Capitol Building and killed some or all of Congress? Disaster.

That was the first thought I had when they announced that the Capitol was their probable target. It would have been a disaster that they destroyed a beautiful building. The leeches inside, well that's another story.

[blid]

Why should he stop opening his mouth? Just because you disagree with him?

I don't really care either way and I can understand why they gave him the Muslim burial, but Schilling does have a point.Nah, he's just a blowhard concerning this (and everything he's ever talked about).

Just because plenty of Muslims disagree with bin Laden's actions does not mean they'd all be cool with seeing Islamic burial rituals flouted. To claim otherwise is basically absurd... as is the concept of Schilling being "pissed off" because we didn't do something more inflammatory to the body. He's literally angry because we gave the guy (who identified himself as Muslim) a proper burial and didn't incite more outrage from his followers.

This might be the new best example of Schilling being a blowhard, but it has competition from the times he went online and feuded with fans and the time he ran his mouth off about 50% (or whatever) of baseball using steroids before totally backtracking and wimping out when called to testify before Congress.

[cwalker3]

Nah, he's just a blowhard concerning this (and everything he's ever talked about).

Just because plenty of Muslims disagree with bin Laden's actions does not mean they'd all be cool with seeing Islamic burial rituals flouted. To claim otherwise is basically absurd... as is the concept of Schilling being "pissed off" because we didn't do something more inflammatory to the body. He's literally angry because we gave the guy (who identified himself as Muslim) a proper burial and didn't incite more outrage from his followers.

This might be the new best example of Schilling being a blowhard, but it has competition from the times he went online and feuded with fans and the time he ran his mouth off about 50% (or whatever) of baseball using steroids before totally backtracking and wimping out when called to testify before Congress.

Well, maybe Curt feels like me. I could care less what a single muslim feels about the way he was buried. Trust me, I would have been a helluva lot less PC if the burial plans been up to me.

[mweb]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42862486#42862486

Thanks.

[JDubs]

Well, maybe Curt feels like me. I could care less what a single muslim feels about the way he was buried. Trust me, I would have been a helluva lot less PC if the burial plans been up to me.

And that would have been a mistake. We shot the man in the eye...mission actually accomplished. We can give the body a Muslim-appropriate burial if it will result in some goodwill from Muslims of all denominations.

[MikeAD]

Well, maybe Curt feels like me. I could care less what a single muslim feels about the way he was buried. Trust me, I would have been a helluva lot less PC if the burial plans been up to me.

I think its getting too far into Political discussion (Thanks to Tony and the rest for allowing this thread to keep going), but it has less to do with who we were burying and much more to do with how we do things as a Nation. We are better than a mass murderer, and we showed that.

[MikeAD]

A picture from the situation room http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680724572/

And a close up of POTUS: http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg640/scaled.php?tn=0&server=640&filename=e3ju.png&xsize=640&ysize=640

[scOtt]

I think its getting too far into Political discussion (Thanks to Tony and the rest for allowing this thread to keep going), but it has less to do with who we were burying and much more to do with how we do things as a Nation. We are better than a mass murderer, and we showed that.

Exactly this! We gave him a proper burial because it the right thing to do, and Americans (at least strive to) do the right thing.

[The Wedge]

A picture from the situation room http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680724572/

And a close up of POTUS: http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg640/scaled.php?tn=0&server=640&filename=e3ju.png&xsize=640&ysize=640

Whoa, Hilary Clinton looks like she's about to barf.

[cwalker3]

Exactly this! We gave him a proper burial because it the right thing to do, and Americans (at least strive to) do the right thing.

We might have given him a 'proper' burial in our eyes, but Islamic funeral rites call for the body to be buried facing Mecca. That's impossible with a burial at sea. So no matter how hard we tried to appease them, and I still don't see why we should, this method of burial will not sit well with them. It will not matter that we tried to do the right thing. No matter what we do, we will always be wrong in the eyes of the extremists.

[The Wedge]

We might have given him a 'proper' burial in our eyes, but Islamic funeral rites call for the body to be buried facing Mecca. That's impossible with a burial at sea. So no matter how hard we tried to appease them, and I still don't see why we should, this method of burial will not sit well with them. It will not matter that we tried to do the right thing. No matter what we do, we will always be wrong in the eyes of the extremists.

Um, yeah. Of course. We didn't do that to look good to the extremists. Nothing we would EVER do would change their mind. This was more directed at the sympathetics, and probably mostly directed at the people teetering on the edge of having a bad opinion.

[Spoonless]

We might have given him a 'proper' burial in our eyes, but Islamic funeral rites call for the body to be buried facing Mecca. That's impossible with a burial at sea. So no matter how hard we tried to appease them, and I still don't see why we should, this method of burial will not sit well with them. It will not matter that we tried to do the right thing. No matter what we do, we will always be wrong in the eyes of the extremists.Burial at sea is allowed in some circumstances, and can be used to prevent the body from being further desecrated, if I'm remembering right.

[TGO]

We might have given him a 'proper' burial in our eyes, but Islamic funeral rites call for the body to be buried facing Mecca. That's impossible with a burial at sea. So no matter how hard we tried to appease them, and I still don't see why we should, this method of burial will not sit well with them. It will not matter that we tried to do the right thing. No matter what we do, we will always be wrong in the eyes of the extremists.

It doesn't have to face Mecca at sea as obviously that is impossible to guarantee, though they probably did point him that way when they put him in the water. What is of more concern to Muslims, I would think, is that burial at sea is only supposed to be done if the person died at sea and cannot be returned to land within 24 hours, or if there is a risk that the body will be dug up by enemies and mutilated. We probably are using the latter rationale but I doubt it's convincing to everyone. It's fairly obvious we did it this way to avoid creating a shrine.

My opinion on the Islamic ceremony is that not being able to comply 100% doesn't mean you shouldn't try to comply with 90% of the customs. Who cares if we're wrong in the eyes of extremists? We're wrong by definition just by existing. We care about the non-extremist Muslims. Yes, some will probably think we did it wrong but making the attempt is probably worth something to many others.

[srock]

Google Maps has the compound shown here.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Note, the picture used for the mansion on the Info Page. (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=9294138184493326603&q=osama+bin+laden's+compound+pakistan&hl=en&dtab=0&sll=34.169204,73.242416&sspn=0.024855,0.051498&ie=UTF8&ll=34.169777,73.241217&spn=0,0&t=h&z=19)

[waroriole]

Google Maps has the compound shown here.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Note, the picture used for the mansion on the Info Page. (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=9294138184493326603&q=osama+bin+laden's+compound+pakistan&hl=en&dtab=0&sll=34.169204,73.242416&sspn=0.024855,0.051498&ie=UTF8&ll=34.169777,73.241217&spn=0,0&t=h&z=19)

Ha, George Bluth is not to be trusted.

[gallden]

A friend of mine is in the same group as these seals, he's called them a "super special" group. Selected we can say that he says. His opinion is that pakistan knew he was there, he can't say if he knows any of the actual seals on the mission as of yet. From what I gather he'll tell me some stuff a little later.

[blid]

Google Maps has the compound shown here.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Note, the picture used for the mansion on the Info Page. (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=9294138184493326603&q=osama+bin+laden's+compound+pakistan&hl=en&dtab=0&sll=34.169204,73.242416&sspn=0.024855,0.051498&ie=UTF8&ll=34.169777,73.241217&spn=0,0&t=h&z=19)Haha, wonder how long that will stay like that. Good stuff.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Geez, people found the burning barn and the shooting kid on Street View within days yet no one thought to look through Google Maps for this! :cussing:

:p

[sangar]

A lot of good solid Americans are Muslim. As we are a representative government it would have been wrong to disrespect the religious beliefs of many of our own people.

[Remember The Alomar]

A friend of mine is in the same group as these seals, he's called them a "super special" group. Selected we can say that he says. His opinion is that pakistan knew he was there, he can't say if he knows any of the actual seals on the mission as of yet. From what I gather he'll tell me some stuff a little later.

If you become a Navy Seal insider it will more then make up for the fact that there aren't anymore O's insiders.

[crissfan172]

When this news first broke, I had a feeling of shock with a half-smile. Much like on 9/11, I didn't immediately grasp what this meant (I was 11 then) and how others would react to it. It didn't take long for me to get my answer, though. While waiting for the President to go on the air and make the official announcement, I flipped over to the Mets/Phillies game to see if they were talking about it. Sure enough, that was their main point of focus, even pointing out that the fans had chanted "USA! USA! USA!" a little bit earlier. Then, from outside my window I could hear screaming and horns honking. For those who don't know, I go to Penn State, and I live practically downtown. I wasn't completely sure if the noise was in reaction to the announcement or just another night in State College (believe me...the party school hype is very real). I then went on Facebook and immediately found a link to this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl7POcfh9RU&feature=youtu.be). I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It quickly became clear to me that Osama bin Laden's death meant the world to these people. Still...I didn't feel like celebrating.

Today, I woke up, feeling about the same as yesterday. Osama bin Laden's death didn't really change my life. This act that seemed to make so many people joyous didn't really touch me. It's not that I wasn't glad this scumbag was gone. I think, really, I was just so far removed from the emotions of 9/11, and I didn't feel like celebrating another person's death was the right thing to do. Not only that, but I also realized this was more of a symbolic moment for the War on Terror than a pivotal one. I just wasn't as elated as I should have been.

Then, I went to YouTube and watched some videos from after the attack. I didn't view the news footage of the horrible images that day, but rather the healing that went on afterwards. I watched Letterman try to hold back tears as he addressed his audience for the first time since the attacks. I remembered laying in bed, listening to the radio and hearing the special mix of U2's "Stuck in the Moment" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwrpjKaNMfg) as I started to understand what that day meant.

Afterwards, I went to get some food and got a paper. The headline said, "Osama bin Laden dead, Obama says". I thought to myself, "Good riddance you bastard." I don't feel any hesitation in celebrating his death anymore. He got what he deserved, and he probably got off lucky compared to what should have happened to him.

[crissfan172]

Google Maps has the compound shown here.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A&amp;output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=osama+bin+l aden's+compound+pakistan&amp;aq=&amp;sll=34.146372,73.2169 25&amp;sspn=0.001376,0.002124&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=osama+bin+lad en's+compound+pakistan&amp;hnear=&amp;cid=9294138184493326 603&amp;ll=34.169204,73.242272&amp;spn=0.024855,0.051498&amp;t =h&amp;iwloc=A" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

Note, the picture used for the mansion on the Info Page. (http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=9294138184493326603&q=osama+bin+laden's+compound+pakistan&hl=en&dtab=0&sll=34.169204,73.242416&sspn=0.024855,0.051498&ie=UTF8&ll=34.169777,73.241217&spn=0,0&t=h&z=19)

You should go read through all the reviews too. Hilarious! :laughlol:

[gallden]

If you become a Navy Seal insider it will more then make up for the fact that there aren't anymore O's insiders.

He didn't want to say anymore via the text message.

[Can_of_corn]

He didn't want to say anymore via the text message.

Smart man. It is very frustrating to be able to say something but not everything. I have been out of the loop for a decade and I still have to censor myself.

The important thing is he is dead and that others were captured, folks that should have extensive knowledge of current operations.

[NewMarketSean]

I'm late to the party, but this is great news. As Americans, this is a great accomplishment, but we need to be extra vigilant going forward.

[O-The-Memories]

I'm convinced now that he's dead after seeing all of the evidence, and knowing that we have DNA samples. Schilling needs to keep his mouth shut. I'm mixed between East Indian and Spanish and I have Muslim relatives. They are all happy that Bin Laden is dead, and none of them cared where a particular terrorist was buried, since they do not consider Bin Laden to be a true Muslim anyway. However, some Muslims would have been offended had we waited to bury him, or even worse, if we desecrated the body. Religion is a touchy subject with most people, and we don't need an ignorant statement by a baseball player to stoke the flames.

[waroriole]

I'm convinced now that he's dead after seeing all of the evidence, and knowing that we have DNA samples. Schilling needs to keep his mouth shut. I'm mixed between East Indian and Spanish and I have Muslim relatives. They are all happy that Bin Laden is dead, and none of them cared where a particular terrorist was buried, since they do not consider Bin Laden to be a true Muslim anyway. However, some Muslims would have been offended had we waited to bury him, or even worse, if we desecrated the body. Religion is a touchy subject with most people, and we don't need an ignorant statement by a baseball player to stoke the flames.

Yeah, Schilling is a blow hard. Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut until you gather enough evidence.

[O-The-Memories]

Yeah, Schilling is a blow hard. Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut until you gather enough evidence.

I should have heeded that advice so many times in my life it's not even funny. Baseball related or not, haha. I forgive the guy, mainly because he's a former Oriole. But you're 100% right, people in general need to talk less, and listen more.

[CrimsonTribe]

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." — Mark Twain

[TGO]

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." — Mark Twain

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."

[MikeAD]

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." — Mark Twain

This was actually said by Clarence Darrow, apparently.

[Can_of_corn]

Don't want to skirt the politics line but I found it very satisfying when I learned where some of the information used to nab him was gathered.

Things look a little different when you are sitting behind the big desk I guess.

[MikeAD]

Don't want to skirt the politics line but I found it very satisfying when I learned where some of the information used to nab him was gathered.

Things look a little different when you are sitting behind the big desk I guess.

Indeed, many new questions arise.
"meditate on this, I will."

[TonySoprano]

"Well I think the latest information is that he was in this compound for the past five or six years and he had virtually no interaction with others outside that compound. But yet he seemed to be very active inside the compound," Brennan said on the CBS Early Show program. source - Reuters (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/bin-laden-lived-pakistan-compound-5-6-years-114333796.html)

He lived there for possibly six years and Pakistan didn't know??!!!??

Has this guy switched sides to Pakistan?
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/07/baghdad_bob_1.jpg

[Can_of_corn]

source - Reuters (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/bin-laden-lived-pakistan-compound-5-6-years-114333796.html)

He lived there for possibly six years and Pakistan didn't know??!!!??

I think its reasonable to consider that parts of the Pakistani government were shielding him from the rest of the Pakistani government. There is no doubt that parts of their government were actively helping him.

[MurphDogg]

Don't want to skirt the politics line but I found it very satisfying when I learned where some of the information used to nab him was gathered.

Things look a little different when you are sitting behind the big desk I guess.

You are of course referring to how the information was captured months later during standard interrogation, after earlier more advanced techniques proved unsuccessful, no?

[Can_of_corn]

You are of course referring to how the information was captured months later during standard interrogation, after earlier more advanced techniques proved unsuccessful, no?

Nope, that is not what I am referring to at all.

[TonySoprano]

You are of course referring to how the information was captured months later during standard interrogation, after earlier more advanced techniques proved unsuccessful, no?You seriously believe the report that a person would break under "standard" interrogation when advanced techniques failed? Really? Maybe cushions were used

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CSe38dzJYkY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Dr. FLK]

You seriously believe the report that a person would break under "standard" interrogation when advanced techniques failed? Really?

Sometimes all it takes is asking nicely.;)

IMO, the most interesting thing that will come from all of this is finding out what info was on the electronic media they recovered in the raid. I bet there was some pretty good info on those computers...

[Pedro Cerrano]

Anyone get a load of what Rashard Mendenhall is saying on twitter about all this?

Unearthly stuff...

[TonySoprano]

Sometimes all it takes is asking nicely.;)

IMO, the most interesting thing that will come from all of this is finding out what info was on the electronic media they recovered in the raid. I bet there was some pretty good info on those computers...
Yeah, it went down like this

You have to ask me nicely.

- I beg your pardon?

- You have to ask me nicely. I can take bullets, bombs and blood, and fake drowning. What I do want is for you, with your gay white Navy uniform, to extend me some [flipping] courtesy. You got to ask me nicely.

http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsN/12840-6196.gif

[Can_of_corn]

Anyone get a load of what Rashard Mendenhall is saying on twitter about all this?

Unearthly stuff...

Thats going to go over well in Pittsburgh.

[Hank Scorpio]

Yeah, it went down like this

You have to ask me nicely.

- I beg your pardon?

- You have to ask me nicely. I can take bullets, bombs and blood, and fake drowning. What I do want is for you, with your gay white Navy uniform, to extend me some [flipping] courtesy. You got to ask me nicely.

http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsN/12840-6196.gif

What is the magic word, Mr. Venkman?

http://genomeboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/venkman.gif

...PLEASE?!?!?!

[The Wedge]

Anyone get a load of what Rashard Mendenhall is saying on twitter about all this?

Unearthly stuff...

What's he saying? Nutshelled.

Edit: Nevermind, I'm capable of looking myself. He's a Loose Changer.

[DuffMan]

Sometimes all it takes is asking nicely.;)

IMO, the most interesting thing that will come from all of this is finding out what info was on the electronic media they recovered in the raid. I bet there was some pretty good info on those computers...

Psssh I bet you there's nothing but a huge stash of porno stored on those computers!:laughlol:

[Can_of_corn]

Psssh I bet you there's nothing but a huge stash of porno stored on those computers!:laughlol:

Ohhh, Burka porn.

[MikeAD]

There was no internet or phone lines at the compound, so we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves on the computer data. Hopefully theres some files that show at least who some of the players are, but we have been told that these guys are smart enough not to move data on flash drives as they have been caught with that before.

It will curious to see what sort of data is on there. One "expert" this morning said it will be a jackpot if 30% is usable.

[Stotle]

There was no internet or phone lines at the compound, so we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves on the computer data. Hopefully theres some files that show at least who some of the players are, but we have been told that these guys are smart enough not to move data on flash drives as they have been caught with that before.

It will curious to see what sort of data is on there. One "expert" this morning said it will be a jackpot if 30% is usable.

Agreed. HumInt is the bread and butter for turning up the players. SigInt plays a larger role in turning up plots.

[Dr. FLK]

There was no internet or phone lines at the compound, so we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves on the computer data. Hopefully theres some files that show at least who some of the players are, but we have been told that these guys are smart enough not to move data on flash drives as they have been caught with that before.

It will curious to see what sort of data is on there. One "expert" this morning said it will be a jackpot if 30% is usable.

Does that mean that 30% of the stuff on the computer is useful? Heck, that sounds pretty high to me. I don't expect it to have all the answers, but there has got to be some useful stuff on there.

[Can_of_corn]

Agreed. HumInt is the bread and butter for turning up the players. SigInt plays a larger role in turning up plots.

Sigint and Commint are best used to verify what Humint provides.

[Stotle]

Sigint and Commint are best used to verify what Humint provides.

Must be a CIA guy. I know some NSAers that might disagree. :)

[TonySoprano]

Sigint and Commint are best used to verify what Humint provides.
I never heard the term "commint." If it's an acronym for communications intelligence, it's COMINT, which really falls under SIGINT.

[Can_of_corn]

Must be a CIA guy. I know some NSAers that might disagree. :)

Former Military, they can feel free to disagree


I never heard the term "commint." If it's an acronym for communications intelligence, it's COMINT, which really falls under SIGINT.

Yes it does and yes it does. That is the way I learned it and I find the distinction useful. I was also listing them separately from Masint which is also under the Sigint umbrella but isn't very useful for verifying Humint.

[Stotle]

Former Military, they can feel free to disagree



Yes it does and yes it does. That is the way I learned it and I find the distinction useful. I was also listing them separately from Masint which is also under the Sigint umbrella but isn't very useful for verifying Humint.

Was a joke.

[The Wedge]

Oi! English, people! :D

[Can_of_corn]

Was a joke.

I was joking back, I was actually an Analyst not a collector so I found the competition between the varies disciplines amusing. I am of the overall view that there is such a volume of information out there that the best route is to use Humint to narrow the focus.


Oi! English, people! :D

Humint= Human intelligence, spies and informants

Sigint, Commint, Masint is stuff like satellites photos, taping phones, reading newspapers.

[The Wedge]

Oh, I know what they mean. I've read enough Clancy to be able to parse that stuff. I just don't WANNA parse that stuff. ;)

[Stotle]

I was joking back, I was actually an Analyst not a collector so I found the competition between the varies disciplines amusing. I am of the overall view that there is such a volume of information out there that the best route is to use Humint to narrow the focus.


Okay, gotcha. It's not my universe so I didn't want to come off like I was correcting you or anything. I obviously don't get all the dirt, but it is funny to hear people from different agencies and how they refer to the other (also, interesting to hear the military folks chime in with their thoughts). I think the one constant I get is that Congressional aides are a pain in the ass. :)

[TonySoprano]

Okay, gotcha. It's not my universe so I didn't want to come off like I was correcting you or anything. I obviously don't get all the dirt, but it is funny to hear people from different agencies and how they refer to the other (also, interesting to hear the military folks chime in with their thoughts). I think the one constant I get is that Congressional aides are a pain in the ass. :)From my personal experience this is true. It's because the aides do the grunt work so the Senators and congressmen appear to be informed when in front of the cameras or in committee. :D

[Tony-OH]

I was joking back, I was actually an Analyst not a collector so I found the competition between the varies disciplines amusing. I am of the overall view that there is such a volume of information out there that the best route is to use Humint to narrow the focus.



Humint= Human intelligence, spies and informants

Sigint, Commint, Masint is stuff like satellites photos, taping phones, reading newspapers.

I was going to keep a low profile during this stuff but I gotta throw some corrections in here.

SIGINT or signals intelligence is made up of ELINT (electronic intelligence - think radar signatures) and COMINT (Communication intelligence - think various forms of communication intercepts).

Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) is scientific and technical intelligence information obtained by quantitative and qualitative analysis of data (metric, angle, spatial, wavelength, time dependence, modulation, plasma, and hydromagnetic) derived from specific technical sensors for the purpose of identifying any distinctive features associated with the source, emitter, or sender and to facilitate subsequent identification and/or measurement of the same. (citation (http://www.fas.org/irp/program/masint.htm)). Forms of this discipline fall under SIGINT and GEOINT.

GEOINT or Geospatial Intelligence is comprised of the exploitation and analysis of geospatial data and imagery. Geospatial Intelligence data sources include imagery and mapping data, whether collected by commercial satellite, government satellite, aircraft (such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV] or reconnaissance aircraft), or by other means, such as maps and commercial databases, census information, GPS waypoints, utility schematics, or any discrete data that have locations on earth.

Long story short, a lot of this cool stuff was used to locate one bearded terrorist and allowed some lucky operator to put one in the head and one in the chest. It's always about kinetics in the end. ;)

[Miller192]

Hopefully I'll get some nice MILFINT on the one next door. Weather looks like its going to cooperate.

[The Wedge]

Hopefully I'll get some nice MILFINT on the one next door. Weather looks like its going to cooperate.

Be careful though, or else you're wife will be looking for DIVLAWINT.

[scOtt]

Kinetics and lead poisoning. :p

[Can_of_corn]

Thanks Tony, I was trying to keep things simple but yes you are correct. I will say that the GEOINT is a new addition, when I was in AIT they had temporarily cut the UAV MOS from training.

[The Wedge]

Excuse me, sir. Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P., shouldn't we keep the P.C. on the Q.T.? 'Cause if it leaks to the V.C. he could end up M.I.A., and then we'd all be put out in K.P.

Edit: I held back on that quote for a few minutes, at least. :D

[TGO]

This thread is a B.F.D.

[JDubs]

I was going to say that this thread should be a classic...but then the last 50 posts happened. :)

[Hank Scorpio]

I just took a dump and it looked EXACTLY like bin Laden. He was hiding in my butt the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!

[McNulty]

I just took a dump and it looked EXACTLY like bin Laden. He was hiding in my butt the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doesn't that make you Pakistan?

[SammyBirdland]

I just took a dump and it looked EXACTLY like bin Laden. He was hiding in my butt the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmm, that might be the next Top 40 hit. "You got a booty like a compound", by Hank Scorpio. Or "Compound Booty" maybe...

[BRobinsonfan]

but Schilling does have a point.

At the top of his head.

[Hank Scorpio]

Doesn't that make you Pakistan?


Hmm, that might be the next Top 40 hit. "You got a booty like a compound", by Hank Scorpio. Or "Compound Booty" maybe...

It even had a beard. Crazy stuff.

[Crazysilver03]

It even had a beard. Crazy stuff.

You sure it wasn't this:

http://images.wikia.com/southpark/images/2/26/Lemmiwinks.JPG

[Hank Scorpio]

You sure it wasn't this:

http://images.wikia.com/southpark/images/2/26/Lemmiwinks.JPG

:laughlol: positive...

[BRobinsonfan]

I must say... and this is purely emotion talking here - I do like the idea that he was eliminated by "boots on the ground" as opposed to a predator drone. There's real satisfaction in knowing that at some point he knew "they're here for me."

Profound admiration and thanks to the forces involved and to all our military.

[Goop]

I must say... and this is purely emotion talking here - I do like the idea that he was eliminated by "boots on the ground" as opposed to a predator drone. There's real satisfaction in knowing that at some point he knew "they're here for me."

Profound admiration and thanks to the forces involved and to all our military.

I feel the same way...God bless our military! Glad they finally got the SOB.

May the 343 brothers from the FDNY, the members of the NYPD and Port Authority Police, and the almost 3,000 victims of the terrible day rest a little easier now.

[TonySoprano]

No photo, per POTUS

[Emory Eagle]

I'm glad the man has been eliminated. Many thanks to the SEALs, quite a feather in their cap. It's amazing how well the operation went - only one true civilian death (and that's assuming that the woman shot was not resisting) - and no US casualties. Certainly less collateral damage than would have followed a missile strike.

I agree with the decision not to release the photographs. It won't shut up any conspiracy theorists and it releasing them would, to me at least, seem morally suspect. If Osama is still alive, let him prove it.

[waroriole]

Why should he stop opening his mouth? Just because you disagree with him?

I don't really care either way and I can understand why they gave him the Muslim burial, but Schilling does have a point.

No, he really doesn't. We do things differently in this country. We don't stoop to their level. We're above making a mockery of ourselves, which is exactly what Schilling would have us do. If he doesn't like it, he can pound sand.

[Hank Scorpio]

I just took a dump and it looked EXACTLY like bin Laden. He was hiding in my butt the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not releasing my photo, either. It's just too gruesome.

[JDubs]

I'm glad the man has been eliminated. Many thanks to the SEALs, quite a feather in their cap. It's amazing how well the operation went - only one true civilian death (and that's assuming that the woman shot was not resisting) - and no US casualties. Certainly less collateral damage than would have followed a missile strike.

I agree with the decision not to release the photographs. It won't shut up any conspiracy theorists and it releasing them would, to me at least, seem morally suspect. If Osama is still alive, let him prove it.
I agree. And even if it does create conspiracy theories, that is a million times less harmful than the recruitment propaganda and general tumult that would be created by releasing the pictures.

[ChaosLex]

No photo, per POTUS

Probably a good thing. Best to avoid another repeat of Che, who looked very Christ-like in his death photo.

[The Wedge]

Can I put in an official request to change the thread title at this point? :p

[ChaosLex]

And BTW, how is it Osama/Usama gets killed the first night of my cruise (which I'm still in the middle of) when I have no internet access? :D

[MikeAD]

And BTW, how is it Osama/Usama gets killed the first night of my cruise (which I'm still in the middle of) when I have no internet access? :D

Seriously? Already bored with the soon to be misses? :)

[SammyBirdland]

Senator Scott Brown and at least two other senators confirmed publicly that bin Laden is dead based on one of the fake photos from the internet that they saw. :laughlol:

Oops! Sen. Brown duped by fake bin Laden photo (http://bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2011_0504sen_brown_against_releasing_bin_laden_pho to/srvc=home&position=0)

[TonySoprano]

Stealth helicopter program compromised
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-secret-stealth-helicopter-program-revealed-osama-bin/story?id=13530693

[Emory Eagle]

Stealth helicopter program compromised
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-secret-stealth-helicopter-program-revealed-osama-bin/story?id=13530693

Oh well, no secret lasts forever. And think of the bright side, the military will be able to buy the 'copters "made in China" in a couple months for real cheap!

[sangar]

Stealth helicopter program compromised
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-secret-stealth-helicopter-program-revealed-osama-bin/story?id=13530693The secret may be out but they're hardly a surprise. Our military specializes in night fighting. Not having something like this would be the surprise.

[sangar]

I must say... and this is purely emotion talking here - I do like the idea that he was eliminated by "boots on the ground" as opposed to a predator drone. There's real satisfaction in knowing that at some point he knew "they're here for me."

Profound admiration and thanks to the forces involved and to all our military.Agree 100%. The first bullet hit him in the chest. So, for an instant, he knew we killed him.

[TGO]

Agree 100%. The first bullet hit him in the chest. So, for an instant, he knew we killed him.

There's also something vaguely satisfying about the fact that we went and got him personally when he always hid behind others and never actually carried out a mission himself. He never walked into enemy territory and put his own life in danger.

[waroriole]

Don't try to click on links to photos of bin Laden.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2KJ3Cagn8JNdn4ATRLQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTEzbDBxcGJ rBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcgRjb2xvA2FjNAR2dGlkA1VTTkMyNF81/SIG=14ate8elg/EXP=1304629280/**http%3a//www.wkrg.com/technology/article/fake-bin-laden-links-spreading-malicious-software/1206681/May-04-2011_12-55-pm/

[Stotle]

There's also something vaguely satisfying about the fact that we went and got him personally when he always hid behind others and never actually carried out a mission himself. He never walked into enemy territory and put his own life in danger.

Well, not to trumpet his accomplishments, but I believe he was on the front line in the 80s fighting the Ruskies if Afghanistan.

[ShaneDawg85]

I'm sure WikiLeaks will leak a photo of Bin Laden soon enough, so there's no need to release one anyway. ;)