I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Alpal

Medigal - I'm curious about what you think should be offered up as proof. Any suggestions? What would convince you?

rosemary-b

They have DNA evidence-what more do we need?

Enjoyful

I would think that bin Laden would have something to say if the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.

Medigal

Puleeze.....Sandy....if he is truly dead do you really think his followers are going to sit back and not try to make us pay for his death?  Whether you like it or not, this action will be politicized by the entire world...our friends and our enemies.  I think his death will just ignite Al Queda to grow in size and be determined to make the "infidels" pay for this action.  NOW, we really need to surround ourselves with constant protection in our country.  Earlier was the "quiet" before the storm.  Osama's assasination just ignited the "storm" imo and I pray we are taking all protections against "any" type of "payback" actions. 

Alpal

So, we shouldn't have killed him? If, indeed, we did? Please explain.

Enjoyful

Yes, retaliation is a very real threat.  The administration realizes this and has all embassies, military bases, etc., on alert.  Bin Laden, alive, was probably more of a threat.

Medigal

Alpal:  We have been hunting this crazy man down for years so when we found him did you really think we were going to have a party with him?  No one (not me, of course) is stating Bin Laden didn't deserve to pay with his life for what he brought upon our country.  I frankly would just like to see some proof that he is really gone for my own personal peace of mine.  I think the Seals made a good decision to bury him in the Sea but a few cellphone photos or something would be nice to show the world and people like myself that we were truly rid of him.  Not every nation in the world loves the US and it would be nice to have something to prove to them that we got the job done.  Just my thoughts.

BTW, Enjoyful, I disagree with you that Bin Laden was more of a threat alive.  Remember he was the leader of people who were dedicated to blowing themselves up just to get even with the "infideles" .  I think they are now going to feel it is their duty to sacrifice their own lives if necessary to make us pay for taking their leader.  I also think the next guy to take his place will  have been trained for years what to do "incase" we ever did find and kill him.  We are just going into the next chapter now, imo.   I hope Britain and anyone who has helped us in the past with trying to find him, takes all needed precautions too.  I don't think the US is going to be their only target for revenge.

rosemary-b

Medigal

How about DNA evidence? US has it

Yes there will be terror attacks. But to have left him alive when we knew where he was when getting him was the reason for the war in Afghanistan would have made the US look weak or foolish. IMO

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Enjoyful

Medipal -

I don't know if this will help with your questions, but here's a story on how officials verified bin Laden's identity.  They also discuss possible release of a photo.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Osama-Bin-Laden-death-photo-a-fake-DNA-testing/GuZAhbfDiEWEXcDr2Ir7bg.cspx

crazy4carrots

11:43 AM | Eric Lach | #

Report: White House Officials Debating Whether To Release Bin Laden Photos

Officials told ABC News there is an internal debate going on in the Obama administration on what to do with gruesome photographs taken of Osama bin Laden after he was killed by U.S. forces. While releasing the photographs would help preempt any conspiracy theories, they show a "massive head wound above his left eye where he took bullet, with brains and blood visible.

Edited to add:  Frankly, I doubt if any photos would satisfy those who choose to believe that bin Laden's death is a lie.  And whether or not his death makes security matters better or worse, I think the thousands of people (families and friends) of those killed on 9/11 might be feeling some relief that the mastermind has gone to his just reward.

Alpal

I agree. For those that don't want to believe, they will never believe. They'll say the DNA evidence is a fake and the photos are doctored. I'm sad they are so eaten up with hatred of our president that they would deny the relatives of victims this closure.

Bren-2007

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Osama-Bin-Laden-death-photo-a-fake-DNA-testing/GuZAhbfDiEWEXcDr2Ir7bg.cspx

E .. here's your link.  Interesting article.

Bren

Enjoyful

It's good to be skeptical BUT this is about as well-documented as we're going to get.  I see no reason to doubt what's been reported.  There are no outrageous or unlikely claims.  The reports were corroborated by other countries.  Would a graphic photo really make that much difference?

IronJawedBCAngel

I can't help but wonder if the conspiracy theory individuals would react the same way if George W. Bush had been responsible for bin Laden's death.  It must be exhausting to be that that pessimistic and paranoid all of the time! 

Alpal

I was certainly no GWB fan but feel I would have been elated if this had happened shortly after 9-11. Maybe if that had been the case we could have more gracefully exited Afghanistan. I'm really sorry it took 10 years.

IronJawedBCAngel

As Americans, we are offended when al-Qaida posts photos of our dead.  I wonder that it would not inspire even more rage against Americans by releasing the photos.  While the people that died during 9-11 were not given any courtesy, I believe we should be as respectful of his death that we would wish for our own citizens.  Posting graphic images of his head half blown away is not something that is necessary, particularly considering the testimony of the special forces in combination with the DNA.

Ellie1959

Well said IronJawed BC Angel - I do not feel we should be overtly gleeful when retaliation could occur.

Wabbit

It really is an incredible insult to the brave Special Forces who successfully completed this mission to accuse them of making it all up!

I hope that Osama's followers are taking note of where he was found.  He has been living well  in a luxury compound.  Quite different from the persona he created of a man who gave up wealth for the 'cause' and lived a bare existence in a mountain cave somewhere.  Like all of his kind he let other people go out and give up everything ... including their lives ... while he continued to live very comfortably.

pickle

White Rabbit, I think that's an excellent point and I hope his low level supporters see that Osama and his inner circle were living quite large. He certainly wasn't living in squalor like his army of terrorists.  He was such a fraud.

Medigal

Will all of you who are getting your brains in knots quit looking for reasons to spew at me?  I only related my concerns because I KNEW there would be many people who may not exactly be our beloveds who might doubt the death!  I WAS RIGHT!  I was just watching the news and they said they felt they might have to come up with some type of evidence for proof!  You don't just kill even someone as horrible as Bin Laden and expect every one to throw roses at you!  Maybe I am too much of a realist but I brought this subject up NOT because I believe it isn't true but because I was concerned others would not.   Frankly, I don't want to see gruesome photos of him or anyone so the testimony of the special forces withthe DNA "should" be enough proof for us to show.

What is wrong with some of you that someone like myself can't bring up issues without your having to think it is paranoia or conspiracy theories, or hatred of Obama??  Nothing I posted had or has anything to do with these things.  I was posting things I felt others might be concerned about and IF YOU WATCH THE NEWS, you will learn there IS a concern out there.  So maybe you are living in a world of OTHER people who are paranoid, have conspiracy theories, or hate Obama.  But it isn't ME!   So if you want to do battle, find someone else to play with.  I have better things to do with my life!  If you want to see pessimism, take a good look in your mirror! 

Alpal

Medigal - I haven't seen any posts directed at you, except for mine asking what proof would satisfy you. You've just answered that the DNA would do that. Well, it's not going to be good enough for others, which you also just said. Nor, will pictures. The damn long form birth certificate isn't even good enough for some. I have never considered you a conspiracist or even an Obama hater (altho you certainly seem to have reservations about him, which is fine). I'm sorry if you thought I was attacking you.

duckyb1

Waiting for Trump to put his 2 cents into this now.........I'm sure he will want proof of this operation, as he wanted proof of Obama's birth certificate.................

After watching and hearing Trump that issue, and after seeing the clip on TV of him speaking in from of men and "women", and dropping the "F" bomb, and using the phrase Mother Fers, he should crawl under a rock and never come out.........He is a disgraceful american, and should be ashamed of his actions............He is a bully, who actually thinks he can run this country.......................Doubt it..............Sad thing is ......I actually liked him at one time....and its true, no matter what Obama does, right or wrong there are those who just don't like him, and will find fault with everything.........What a sad way to live.

As for me, I'm proud of Obama, The Navy Seals, and the SEcurity team who brough this about...........to say anything else is wrong.......What every happened to telling someone

GREAT JOB

crazy4carrots

Medigal -- Who among us was being pessimistic?  I've just been reading some right-wing media blogs and, believe me, they seem to be doing everything they possibly can to raise doubts about bin Laden's death, and to discredit the President (yeah, what's new?).  What news outlet were you watching, by the way?

I don't live in a world of conspiracy theory.  I don't consider myself paranoid, but also try not to take everything at face value.  I don't want to do battle with you either!

duckyb1

Oh, and can I add a footnote.......................they probably did the right thing in taking care with the body before putting him into the sea, but me............................

He did not deserve that courtesy,,,,,,,,,,,,I would have taken him as high up in the helicopter as it would go, open the door, and shove his "sorry ass" out, and let him be "shark" breakfast at daybreak.................I would show no mercy to a coward like him who did what he ordered done to the people of 911.........My son worked the clean-up, and had nightmares for weeks after..........He lived in Pa., but worked in NY, owning his own company that assembled Trade Shows..........he felt he belonged there helping since NY was so good to him.............God Bless America

Medigal

Lindasa:  I don't know who the pessimistic people are.  Another poster brought it up and I thought she was referring to me since I was the poster the remarks seemed to be aimed at.  I was watching Fox and MSNBC because they had people from the WH speaking.  I know these are some of the channels which are mocked by certain people but I find they at least bring on people from Washington who give us their opinions.

Alpal:  I was not trying to be cruel to you.  You asked for proof I would accept and I answered.  Maybe it is just a bad day for me but I felt like I was being ganged up upon just for posting my opinions.  If I misunderstood, I do apologize. If I haven't made it clear, I am proud of the Seals and everyone involved in taking care of this matter.  As another poster said "GOOD GOING!"

Wabbit

Medigal ... I have to admit that your first post gave me the impression that you and your DP doubted that Osama had really been killed.  Glad to hear that is not what you meant! 

But ... if that had been what you meant I would have to argue forcefully against that view ... wouldn't mean I don't like you though

However,  I do detest the spin doctors who deliberately make up stuff to twist everything ... even something like this ... into political points.

Edited to add:  duckyb ... I hear you and I think we all have that urge.  But at the end of the day we don't want to be 'just like them' ... we want to be better and more decent and honorable.  So ... we were. 

crazy4carrots

How long will it be before some start asking "Where's the death certificate?"

(Medigal, this was NOT aimed at you!)

Alpal

Well since he was buried at sea it makes sense that the death certificate is on file in some port. I know - Honolulu!

Wabbit

Perhaps The Donald will volunteer to swim out to sea and identify the body himself.  He's a take charge kind of guy like that you know

crazy4carrots

No no, the Donald will send his special investigators out in scuba gear (I believe they learned to scuba dive while on "vacation" in Honolulu....)