President about to give a late night press conference...

[WashingtonBay]

FoxNews has Geraldo on, of all people... Geraldo is apoplectic. Has sources that say perhaps it is Bin Laden dead.

I think if that's it, he [Geraldo] might fly around the room singing 'ding dong the witch is dead...' He's seriously giddy.

[HeavensEast]

All I hear is "major development.."
Hmm.

[WashingtonBoy]

All the news channels have multiple sources confirming it is Bin Laden.

Saying he died a week ago, but they were waiting for DNA tests to absolutely confirm it.

[WashingtonBay]

He's 20 minutes late now... If it's really Bin Laden, then he let the leakers scoop him by being late.

[HeavensEast]

Dangit. My roommate changed the channel.
Nevermind, it's on every channel on cable.

[Equine_Woman]

Lol, TMZ says it's Osama. . . so my money is on it being Osama. They always know everything first. . .

[WashingtonBay]

Why is Obama so late? He was sposed to be on a half hour ago, and he had a total news scoop. They really didn't know. Now he's letting everyone else steal his thunder!


By the time he gets to the podium, it'll be old news.

[Equine_Woman]

Maybe they lost the body. . . j.k.

[WashingtonBoy]

Maybe they lost the body. . . j.k.
"Me? I thought you had it, Bob."

[WashingtonBay]

Maybe they lost the body. . . j.k.

They didn't send it as checked baggage, did they? ;)

[Tiz]

They released the news at 10:30. Geraldo did a rather obvious"Oh, I just thought..what if it's Bin Laden!"

[Equine_Woman]

They didn't send it as checked baggage, did they? ;)

Nah, they couldn't afford that in the new budget. . . have you seen checked baggage fees lately? Geeze.

[Equine_Woman]

News I'm watching just said the delay is because the Pres and his peps are trying to make sure all the other world leaders know and that security has been ramped up before the announcement.

[WashingtonBoy]

I wonder if Trump is now going to insist on seeing the death certificate? The long form death certificate, of course. ;)

[WashingtonBay]

^ That's funny right thar..

[offgridgirl]

Nah, they couldn't afford that in the new budget. . . have you seen checked baggage fees lately? Geeze.

:doh::doh::innocent::popcorn:

'Ceee....lebrate, tonight....come on....celebrate tonight."

[WashingtonBay]

Yeah - it is good news :cheers: He proved to be a crafty and elusive target.

The most interesting story hasn't been told yet. I hope the boots on the ground write a book or something.

[FredRock]

I think if that's it, he [Geraldo] might fly around the room singing 'ding dong the witch is dead...' He's seriously giddy.

Someone posted "ding dong, Osama's dead" on FB and now I have the Wicked song "No One Mourns the Wicked" stuck in my head. I keep thinking how ridiculous it would be for someone to attempt to leave a lilly on his grave. :innocent:

[Remali]

I wonder if Trump is now going to insist on seeing the death certificate? The long form death certificate, of course. ;)

That was funny! Good one.

Sure would be interesting to hear how the military actually did it, in detail, eventually someday I imagine we'll be able to hear about it all. Glad there were no Americans hurt. I honestly thought they'd never get bin Laden, he was one smart and wily guy.

ETA: Just read that Hitler's death was also announced on May 1st (1945)..... how bizarre is that?

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

What they're saying is that the operation actually just happened today. 3:30 eastern time, or about 12:30pm Pacific. I think that makes it about 12:30 AM in Islamabad.

It's very good that he's dead. No trial. Bravo Zulu to whoever pulled that trigger.

[CaddoCinnamon]

It is good news. I am afraid of a retaliation. I would say be mindful of where you are at at all times for the next few weeks and months to come. I say this is just a start to something else.

[natisha]

It is good news. I am afraid of a retaliation. I would say be mindful of where you are at at all times for the next few weeks and months to come. I say this is just a start to something else.This won't change much. It's a feel good moment but not the end of a war or anything like that.

I'm going to be the odd man out here. Don't get me wrong, that man deserved to die & I understand he was involved in the firefight & refused to surrender so they popped him, as it should be. But...cheering in the streets IMO is a bit much.
Remember the cheering woman after the Towers fell? Granted, she was cheering that innocent people died & this is way different. While I am glad he is gone & feel no sadness about it the cheering reminds me of that woman.

That said, if the cheering is for a job well done, no loss of American lives, some American unity & possibly the beginning of the end of the wars over there I'm all for it.

I think we would have looked cooler if we has said something like, "Who's next because we're coming for you?"

[cowgirlup@idaho]

What they're saying is that the operation actually just happened today. 3:30 eastern time, or about 12:30pm Pacific. I think that makes it about 12:30 AM in Islamabad.

It's very good that he's dead. No trial. Bravo Zulu to whoever pulled that trigger.

I did hear Obama say "...today..." when telling about the kill, yet everything else says last week and waiting for DNA confirmation. So do you think it happened last week or now? I wonder about the reaction over 'there' and how that was kept quiet for a full week.

And yes, thank you to the soldier that accomplished his mission. He will probably never be publicly recognized because wouldn't he become a marked man by the terrorists?

[Buckpoco]

I'm sure there will be retaliation but what's new? They've been planning all sorts of evil all along...
I'm so glad too that he was not taken alive...that would have been a non ending fiasco...the civil liberties folks would have had him living in one of our finest hotels... at our expense LOL.

[WashingtonBay]

He clearly said it was today... And that's probably more likely than thinking anyone kept it quiet for a week, or two weeks, like some of the other rumors say.

I'm a little surprised by the cheering in the streets, I wouldn't have predicted it... I guess any celebration looks unseemly from the other side... but yippy for our team, I guess :)

[cowgirlup@idaho]

He clearly said it was today... And that's probably more likely than thinking anyone kept it quiet for a week, or two weeks, like some of the other rumors say.

I'm a little surprised by the cheering in the streets, I wouldn't have predicted it... I guess any celebration looks unseemly from the other side... but yippy for our team, I guess :)

I too think it would be tough to keep it quiet for a week. I would think that the terrorist folk would have been hurling threats or crying victim. So for me it's confusing. Was it one week ago as the news said and emphasized, or not? I guess it really doesn't matter.

I was surprised at the cheering in the streets. They all looked like college-age kids. It looked like the anti-american cheering that has been on tv from over there, that I found offensive at the time.

[natisha]

People are going to want proof, pictures, videos etc. I believe he's dead.

[Buckpoco]

I too think it would be tough to keep it quiet for a week. I would think that the terrorist folk would have been hurling threats or crying victim. So for me it's confusing. Was it one week ago as the news said and emphasized, or not? I guess it really doesn't matter.

I was surprised at the cheering in the streets. They all looked like college-age kids. It looked like the anti-american cheering that has been on tv from over there, that I found offensive at the time.

They just said the DNA confirmed it was him...that takes a while, doesn't it, to get the DNA results?

[WashingtonBay]

I too think it would be tough to keep it quiet for a week. I would think that the terrorist folk would have been hurling threats or crying victim. So for me it's confusing. Was it one week ago as the news said and emphasized, or not? I guess it really doesn't matter.

It doesn't really matter... but I would chalk it up to the rumors and speculation that always surround events like this. Half the early info is just plain wrong, but seeds get planted and they later feed the conspiracy theories.


Rather amusing on FR - the disbelievers now being called 'deathers' ;)

[WashingtonBay]

I too think it would be tough to keep it quiet for a week. I would think that the terrorist folk would have been hurling threats or crying victim. So for me it's confusing. Was it one week ago as the news said and emphasized, or not? I guess it really doesn't matter.

It doesn't really matter... but I would chalk it up to the rumors and speculation that always surround events like this. Half the early info is just plain wrong, but seeds get planted and they later feed the conspiracy theories.


Rather amusing on FR - the disbelievers now being called 'deathers' ;)

[natisha]

^ so good it was said twice;)

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Oh, I'm pretty sure he's really dead, and it's pretty clear it happened yesterday. It's so easily falsifiable that there's no point even trying to get away with a lie of those proportions. We got him.

And rather than a mere bomb from above, I'm glad that it happened this way, too... that the last thing he saw was an American holding a rifle. That he knew it was us that got him. That the last thing to go through his mind was copper-jacketed.

I do like the burial at sea part. That's a nice touch, to prevent his grave from becoming some kind of hideous shrine. Let him be fish food. Not as good as pig food, but it'll have to do.

I do NOT like the "respecting of muslim beliefs" regarding the burial itself. It sends the exactly wrong message: It tells muslims that we also think Islam is the true religion. Sure... I understand how political sensibilities work, but we really need to get over that.

[WashingtonBay]

Sticky buttons :p

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Part of me wants to think that somewhere in the skies over the Atlantic, General Tommy Franks (ret.) is at this moment flying in a small jet, bound for Texas... with a little styrofoam cooler under his seat.

[WashingtonBay]

Oh, I'm pretty sure he's really dead, and it's pretty clear it happened yesterday. It's so easily falsifiable that there's no point even trying to get away with a lie of those proportions. We got him.

And rather than a mere bomb from above, I'm glad that it happened this way, too... that the last thing he saw was an American holding a rifle. That he knew it was us that got him. That the last thing to go through his mind was copper-jacketed.

Agreed. :cheers:

I do like the burial at sea part. That's a nice touch, to prevent his grave from becoming some kind of hideous shrine. Let him be fish food. Not as good as pig food, but it'll have to do.

I do NOT like the "respecting of muslim beliefs" regarding the burial itself. It sends the exactly wrong message: It tells muslims that we also think Islam is the true religion. Sure... I understand how political sensibilities work, but we really need to get over that.eh... it's what we do and how we do it.

Because we call them barbarians.

[Remali]

They showed the people in the street here in the U.S. who were celebrating, a lot of them were college students, and some older people too. I think a lot of them, especially the people who lost family and friends in the 9 -11 attack in NYC, needed to let it out after all these years....sometimes cheering and celebrating can be a good thing and a healing moment for some. bin Laden changed the way we all live our lives after 9 -11.... I would have gone out to cheer and celebrate too if I was in NYC or DC, or if there had been a celebration here in my town. :)

[WashingtonBoy]

Some pretty interesting details starting come out about how we found him, and the raid... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_on_re_us/us_bin_laden_the_raid

It was Gitmo detainees that provided the intel that led us to the guy that we then tracked to Bin Laden.

Also, once this operation was in motion, we didn't even share it with our closest allies, much less the Pakis.

[WashingtonBay]

Great... I've been looking for that kind of detail. I was seeing hints that there were details, but not the whole story yet.

On edit... well... I guess that's not the whole story either... still looking.

[All4Grace]

Normally I avoid this section like the plague, let's face it, Y'all can be scary when you debate politics! :D

I'm glad he is dead, not only for the closure for the families of the 9/11 victims but also it will let us focus on other aspects for at least a little while. Granted we still need to watch the terrorist groups but I am hoping it proved to them that we don't give in. We searched for Bin Laden until we found him and ended him, I hope it's an example.

I am not one of killing people, anyone, but I don't deny the smile that spread on my face on the news of his death.

Ok, I am going to go back to lurking in this section.

[WashingtonBay]

Not scary Grace. :)

[Tiz]

This won't change much. It's a feel good moment but not the end of a war or anything like that.

I'm going to be the odd man out here. Don't get me wrong, that man deserved to die & I understand he was involved in the firefight & refused to surrender so they popped him, as it should be. But...cheering in the streets IMO is a bit much.
Remember the cheering woman after the Towers fell? Granted, she was cheering that innocent people died & this is way different. While I am glad he is gone & feel no sadness about it the cheering reminds me of that woman.

That said, if the cheering is for a job well done, no loss of American lives, some American unity & possibly the beginning of the end of the wars over there I'm all for it.

I think we would have looked cooler if we has said something like, "Who's next because we're coming for you?"

That woman, dancing and making clicking noises with her mouth, is exactly what I thought of when I saw the party atmosphere in the streets last night. It doesn't feel right and I didn't like it.

I wonder why all those young people were gathered in front of the White House so quickly? I thought Geraldo reported that the news of a statement coming at 10:30PM was issued at just 10PM.

[Tiz]

God bless our military. It's difficult to find the words to express my gratitude adequately that there are people like this in our world. We wouldn't exist without them.

My thanks also to the President, that he gave the mission the go ahead.

[natisha]

God bless our military. It's difficult to find the words to express my gratitude adequately that there are people like this in our world. We wouldn't exist without them.

My thanks also to the President, that he gave the mission the go ahead.Yeah, about the only thing he does that I like is giving permission to blow off bad guy's heads, like the pirates.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

[...]

eh... it's what we do and how we do it.

Because we call them barbarians.

Oh, I know. But I think honor is only due an honorable enemy. A dishonorable enemy deserves nothing. I would not honor a murderer's wishes by burying him next to his victim, or even conducting a ceremony for whoever might care about him.

Back during the cold war, the U.S. navy managed to recover much of the structure of a Soviet submarine that had sunk in a terrible accident with all hands. Along with the submarine, they recovered the remains of many Russian sailors. At some point, they held an ornate funeral service, complete with the Russian anthem and the Russian Navy march and a full rifle salute. The event, and the film they took of it remained classified for many years. But it was a nice touch. It was a classy and respectful thing to do. Many years later after it was declassified, the film of the funeral was presented to the Russian Navy. The Russians were our enemy, but they were an honorable enemy. Worthy of respect.

Even barbarians are more worthy of respect than these... insects.

But the worst part is that giving Bin Laden a muslim funeral serves to validate his beliefs. Muslims the world over see that the U.S. is acknowledging Islam as the one true religion, because we honor it's traditions. No... we don't see it that way, but they do.

It's a mistake.

[Remali]

A lot of the victim's family felt closure and wanted to celebrate, I don't belittle them for that at all. They were even celebrating in CA and other states.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I say we try as best we can to do things that are reasonable to the sane, not worry so much about what the insane make of it.

This seems reasonable to the sane, to me. It's minimalist and quiet. I'll leave it at that.

on edit: that ^ is RE the burial at sea and muslim rites, if any. We're cross-posting on a lot of different angles. :)

[Remali]

It's amazing that it only took the Navy Seals 40 minutes to carry it all out, and none of the Americans were killed during the raid on the compound..... hope we hear more about the entire operation.

[natisha]

Oh, I know. But I think honor is only due an honorable enemy. A dishonorable enemy deserves nothing. I would not honor a murderer's wishes by burying him next to his victim, or even conducting a ceremony for whoever might care about him.

Back during the cold war, the U.S. navy managed to recover much of the structure of a Soviet submarine that had sunk in a terrible accident with all hands. Along with the submarine, they recovered the remains of many Russian sailors. At some point, they held an ornate funeral service, complete with the Russian anthem and the Russian Navy march and a full rifle salute. The event, and the film they took of it remained classified for many years. But it was a nice touch. It was a classy and respectful thing to do. Many years later after it was declassified, the film of the funeral was presented to the Russian Navy. The Russians were our enemy, but they were an honorable enemy. Worthy of respect.

Even barbarians are more worthy of respect than these... insects.

But the worst part is that giving Bin Laden a muslim funeral serves to validate his beliefs. Muslims the world over see that the U.S. is acknowledging Islam as the one true religion, because we honor it's traditions. No... we don't see it that way, but they do.

It's a mistake.He probably was 'washed' with a fire hose & 'wrapped' in a body bag. I like that better than hanging from a pole like they do to our guys.

[Remali]

But bin Laden wasn't given a Muslim burial though..... Muslims don't bury their dead at sea (or so I have heard), Muslims bury their dead underground... so there was no validating his beliefs or honoring Muslim tradition. He's fish food, as he should be.

bin Laden the coward, apparently used one of the women as a human shield.

[Tiz]

He probably was 'washed' with a fire hose & 'wrapped' in a body bag. I like that better than hanging from a pole like they do to our guys.

Or setting fire to the body and dragging it behind a vehicle, while whooping and yelping like a mad dog. I think that's considered appropriate in that part of the world, isn't it?

[Tiz]

I wanted to note that the information about the courier that eventually led our guys to Osama came from a Gitmo detainee. Gitmo, the bane of liberals. Gitmo, Gitmo, Gitmo.

Gitmo plus enhanced interrogation. Works.

[twofingers]

It probably only took about ten minutes to make the kill. Figure another thirty to get the intel evidence and then get the hell out.

[Buckpoco]

Waterboarding.....WORKS!

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

But bin Laden wasn't given a Muslim burial though..... Muslims don't bury their dead at sea (or so I have heard), Muslims bury their dead underground... so there was no validating his beliefs or honoring Muslim tradition. He's fish food, as he should be.

Yes, they can, but typically it's only for people that die aboard a ship at sea. So, in this case it's a little dicey. Gosh... I hope we didn't interfere with his introduction with his 72 virgins. That would really be a darn shame.

bin Laden the coward, apparently used one of the women as a human shield.

Typical of these cowards:

[Tiz]

Waterboarding.....WORKS!

Yes. I heard a comment on a Fox program that wondered why waterboarding was so offensive to some people, but a "double tap" boom, boom to the head was fine, just fine. Funny stuff.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

It probably only took about ten minutes to make the kill. Figure another thirty to get the intel evidence and then get the hell out.

That's what I would've thought, but today in one of the pressers they said that it actually took about 30 mins to finally take him out. I'm thinking the press sec was confused. It doesn't really make much sense, given how much time they took checking his ID and gathering intel stuff, if they were only there for a total of 40 mins. "Fog of war", I think.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Waterboarding.....WORKS!

Indeed. Apparently some of the key information regarding the two couriers was intially gotten from the two guys they waterboarded, KSM and... and... I forget the other guy for the moment. But that's where they got the key info about who those couriers were.

[Remali]

They can only bury at sea under certain conditions Ragnar. This was no Muslim burial.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

They can only bury at sea under certain conditions Ragnar. This was no Muslim burial.

Well, that's what I said... it's dicey. They ~can~ be buried at sea, but typically only if they ~die~ while at sea (because of the 24hr requirement). So... it may violate that rule. But they DID give him a muslim funeral aboard ship with muslims giving prayers in arabic.

Whether it conforms strictly to islam's rules or not is no concern of mine.

I'm trying to think back about those taken prisoner and killed by the muslims, and how many of those got a proper and respectful Christian burial service. Do you remember how many?

But I do remember four dead Americans being doused with gasoline, lit on fire, dragged all around Fallujah behind cars and then having their blackened charred corpses hung up to decorate the main bridge into town.

Yeah, I'm just all fulla respect for their feelings.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

In case anybody had forgotten what a complete tool Keith Olberman is... here's a reminder. Keep in mind that when he's talking about the "Joint Special Operations Command", or JSOC, he's talking about SEAL Team 6.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/05/02/hersh_olbermann_called_bin_laden_seal_team_assassi nation_ring_in_2009.html

...and Seymour Hersh, for that matter.

So what is JSOC now, Keith? Is it now Joe Biden's personal assassination squad?

[WashingtonBay]

Tools are useful.:coffee:

[Buckpoco]

I wonder if they will ever name the person who took him out....it seems like exposure would make him a target in the future?

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I wonder if they will ever name the person who took him out....it seems like exposure would make him a target in the future?

No, we won't know who he is. Not for many years.

At some point far into the future it'll be declassified, and/or maybe the guy who pulled the trigger will decide to retire and write a book. He'll get special permission to declass the key points. Maybe if he's careful he'll write it under a psuedonym.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to BE that guy? I mean, really... who of us that owns a scope-sighted rifle hasn't imagined how cool it would be to have somebody the likes of OBL right there in the cross hairs?

Here's a SEAL operator... got his MP-5 and he's working through the building, clearing room by room with his best buddies in close attendance... and he turns a corner... and suddenly right there, covering his front sight... is that all-too-familiar face.

Y'all that are hunters will know all about "Buck Fever."

Can you imagine being THAT guy?

One slow squeeze and he's got the buck tag to end all buck tags.

I would imagine he's only now recovering from the shakes he got with that shot.

Bravo Zulu.

[Remali]

Well just because they are barbaric in how they treat their dead doesn't mean that the U.S. has to lower themselves to their level..... it's better to take the high road.

[twofingers]

What about the 50 million dollar reward? will those guys get to split it or just get their normal pay. -- Imagine if they were SCIU they'd all want fifty,000,000.00. funny how two different groups of "public servants" react. one selfish lazy incompetent and intolerant bullies. the other proud professionals who will defend all without regards and even die for others whom will not even shake their hands.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Well just because they are barbaric in how they treat their dead doesn't mean that the U.S. has to lower themselves to their level..... it's better to take the high road.

Yup. I used to believe in that, too. Good luck with it.

I'll believe that when WE take a child and send him into a pizza parlor with four pounds of C4 in his backpack... I'm sure we'll all feel so much better that we were "sensitive" to the muslim beliefs regarding the disposal of the remains.

I remember the Sbarro's Pizza event. That was the day I was totally done with any complaint that the so-called "palestinians" pretended to have. That was it.

[Tiz]

The way we treat the dead is about us, it's not about them. It was the right thing to do.

[Buckpoco]

The way we treat the dead is about us, it's not about them. It was the right thing to do.


And, we were in a place to be a little generous!

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I thought it was pretty clever. In one quick act (24hrs) the US showed respect to their religion, and took away all ability for them to make Osama a diety, no shrine, no grave, no place to go and worship. Brilliant!

[natisha]

Well just because they are barbaric in how they treat their dead doesn't mean that the U.S. has to lower themselves to their level..... it's better to take the high road.Not their dead-our dead.

[Remali]

Not their dead-our dead.


True.... yes, you are right.... that was what I meant, lol, it came out wrong (I had a blonde/senior moment, lol). ;)

[natisha]

True.... yes, you are right.... that was what I meant, lol, it came out wrong (I had a blonde/senior moment, lol). ;)I really knew what you meant...I was just being...me:p

[Remali]

lol....:)