the man didn't deserve to live; this is justice. albeit 10 years and probably billions of dollars later. still, i'm not too righteous (or at least i don't think of myself that way) to try and argue that this isn't a good thing. anyone who attempts that is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

I am not saying that is was bad, but from the point of view for the people who are already leaning against usa, they can call this a political murder, and actually use bin laden as a martyr to gather support.

but, if you had captured him alive, and then proceded to actually convict him for all his crimes, before an international panel of judges, like haag. then this might have been a huge PR victory.

Darwin FAIL

Travis,

Since I was mentioned in your post about Obama having played his trump card I will say that I felt no sense of celebration because of it having brought back all the memories of September 11. Today should be a day of contemplation. We should give rightful praise to our President. His authority is established by God.

what does god have to do with it?

wow. No, the power of the president is granted by the people, not some mythical god figure.

@ Marx: what specific policies are you hinting at, if I may ask? hegemony is hegemony... there has always been one throughout history. If it wasn't us, it would (and will) be someone else.

I am an American, with family currently serving in Afghanistan. While I feel a killing of someone, anyone, is not necessarily a reason to celebrate, I cannot help but get a feeling of satisfaction over this one. OBL was much more than just a figurehead. He was a charismatic leader, battle proven (important to the mujahadeen mindset)and capable at large scale planning and logistics.

The 2nd in command, Zahwiri (sp?) is not nearly as respected or as skilled at building the organization. Al Qaida is more a coalition of like minded smaller groups who were able to be pooled for larger projects than any one of them could do, under the direction of OBL and his leadership team. Removing the head will weaken the org, which is a Good Thing.

Of note is the fact that the town OBL was "hiding" in, Abbottabad, is the location of a command school for the Pakistani Military. The thought that OBL was living in a compound there and the Pakistant gov't did not know is almost impossible to comprehend. It will be interesting to see what sort of fallout comes from this. The fact that this operation was undertaken WITHOUT informing the Pakistani's shows, imo, that we believe there is AQ sympathizers/moles within the military intel groups of Pakistan.

CriticalDog:

We, the people, also have authority established by God, and it is by that authority that we elected Obama. All authority is established by God, of whatever degree in the hierarchy.

Try to explain that to an atheist or an agnostic.

It's easy to explain. It was not hard for me to understand when I am an atheist.

I *was an atheist.