# bin Laden is dead? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 2, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436 "2011-05-02T02:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/241 "2011-05-03T03:02:58Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Osama was a nasty piece of work, but this is tribalism at its ugliest. If Obama or Bush were killed these same people would be devastated, even though they’ve killed far more innocents than ObL. There’s a chasm of difference between an action carried out by a legitimate state and a terrorist. The US and other countries kill innocents by accident. They’re expected casualties, but still collateral. Terrorists kill innocents _as a matter of policy_. If al-Qaeda were some guerrilla organization or freedom movement, you wouldn’t see that kind of jubilant behavior. You don’t see it (usually) when opposing generals are killed in wars. You didn’t see it when Saddam or his kids were captured/killed. The most you saw was some back-slapping and congratulating. But this is different. This is not an opposing legitimate force. This is a group that purposely targets the entire western hemisphere, spreading death and destruction wherever it goes. I hate how this board likes to cry “for shame!” on every example of blood lust and revenge, as if these natural, human qualities are somehow despicable. These emotions are the very things that drive our sense of justice, fairness, and social order. Posters want to say “How dare they celebrate someone’s death.” but then freely admit with great conviction that the world is a better place without UBL. You know what’s ugly? The idea that every human life is sacred. The idea that some people don’t just simply need killin’. This is what makes the world go 'round, whether you call it justice or blood lust. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/242 "2011-05-03T03:13:25Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Then what was his threat to us? That doesn’t even deserve an answer. You’re either purposely being contrary or,well, a bit thick. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/243 "2011-05-03T03:33:38Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Osama was a nasty piece of work, but this is tribalism at its ugliest. If Obama or Bush were killed these same people would be devastated, even though they’ve killed far more innocents than ObL. Hey everyone, you totally gotta check this guys farts out! They smell like Cinnamon! ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/244 "2011-05-03T04:04:30Z")
This just blew up on Facebook: > [@](#): > > Let’s be clear on this: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American soldier, who Obama just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. Obama just happened to be the one in office when our soldiers finally found OBL and took him out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!! RE-POST IF YOU AGREE!!! :rolleyes: My response to one guy: > [@](#): > > Obama decided to focus his efforts on hunting down bin Laden and then he authorized a special forces raid into Pakistan to kill bin Laden. Bush would not do this and McCain said during the 2008 election that he would not do this. Plus, by your logic, bin Laden did not destroy the World Trade Center . . . Mohammed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi did. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/245 "2011-05-03T04:33:52Z")
Fuck Venezeula, Chinese netizens, Hamas, and Iran [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions\_to\_the\_death\_of\_Osama\_bin\_Laden](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_death_of_Osama_bin_Laden): > [@](#): > > # Venezuela – Vice President Elias Jaua condemned the killing and subsequent celebrations, saying: “It surprises me to no end how natural crime and murder [have] become, how [they are] celebrated”. He added: “At least before imperialist governments were more subtle.” Jaua elaborated this, stating that now the deaths, both of people working outside the law and of families of presidents (no matter what they are accused of) “are openly celebrated by the leaders of the nations that bomb them”.[79][80][81] > [@](#): > > Hong Kong Phoenix Television had conducted an internet opinion poll survey among Chinese netizens, with 250 thousands responses. 58% agreed with comment: “I am sad, one anti-USA warrior has fallen,” while 19% agreed with comment: “I am happy, at last the head of terrorists group is dead.”[90] You do realize, commie shitheads, that Osama would have loved nuking Beijing so the Caliphate could expand to Xinjiang? ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/246 "2011-05-03T13:28:59Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > You are ignorant about the plan to flood the middle east with pastel Izod’s and left-over Ocean Pacific t-shirts? It was a devastating blow to fundamentalists who reject all things western. Ocean Pacific? That’s gotta qualify as a war crime. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/247 "2011-05-03T14:11:21Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I would suggest not ordering the crab cakes for the next few months or so. ♫ “Red Lobster’s for the seafood lovers in him…” ♫ ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/248 "2011-05-03T14:24:42Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > There’s a chasm of difference between an action carried out by a legitimate state and a terrorist. The US and other countries kill innocents by accident. They’re expected casualties, but still collateral. Terrorists kill innocents _as a matter of policy_. If al-Qaeda were some guerrilla organization or freedom movement, you wouldn’t see that kind of jubilant behavior. You don’t see it (usually) when opposing generals are killed in wars. You didn’t see it when Saddam or his kids were captured/killed. The most you saw was some back-slapping and congratulating. > > But this is different. This is not an opposing legitimate force. This is a group that purposely targets the entire western hemisphere, spreading death and destruction wherever it goes. > I hate how this board likes to cry “for shame!” on every example of blood lust and revenge, as if these natural, human qualities are somehow despicable. These emotions are the very things that drive our sense of justice, fairness, and social order. Posters want to say “How dare they celebrate someone’s death.” but then freely admit with great conviction that the world is a better place without UBL. > > You know what’s ugly? The idea that every human life is sacred. The idea that some people don’t just simply need killin’. This is what makes the world go 'round, whether you call it justice or blood lust. Bull fucking shit. The US are the only Western nation I’m aware of where the citizenry will say"Let’s bomb them" everytime their country encounters some mild interference on the world stage. Really guys, you dont look that good from afar. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/249 "2011-05-03T14:32:36Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Bull fucking shit. The US are the only Western nation I’m aware of where the citizenry will say"Let’s bomb them" everytime their country encounters some mild interference on the world stage. > Really guys, you dont look that good from afar. So don’t mess with us. 😉 I was going to make a reasonable comment about how few US citizens want to make a parking lot out of countries that do us serious harm, but decided to return ugliness with ugliness. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/250 "2011-05-03T14:43:32Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I was going to make a reasonable comment about how few US citizens want to make a parking lot out of countries that do us serious harm, but decided to return ugliness with ugliness.[/SIZE] Darn, aint that convenient, when you see images of “The Arab street” rejoicing on september 11, apparently it is solid proof of their crazy belligerent nature. When the US act the same way, cleaaaaarly it is “only a few of us”. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/251 "2011-05-03T14:47:07Z")
I’m glaaaaaad you agree. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/252 "2011-05-03T14:52:13Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Darn, aint that convenient, when you see images of “The Arab street” rejoicing on september 11, apparently it is solid proof of their crazy belligerent nature. > When the US act the same way, cleaaaaarly it is “only a few of us”. What’s so hard to understand? Cheering 9/11 = bad. Cheering justice being served for 9/11 = good. USA = right. Al Qaeda = wrong. It’s not fucking hard to figure out. Who’s side are you on, anyway? I, for one, will continue to cheer when America’s enemies get shot in the head. Every time. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/253 "2011-05-03T14:57:12Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > What’s so hard to understand? Cheering 9/11 = bad. Cheering justice being served for 9/11 = good. USA = right. Al Qaeda = wrong. It’s not fucking hard to figure out. Who’s side are you on, anyway? On the side of the intelligent, a faction you deserted long ago, apparently. You still have that “whose side you’re on” back there? What are you? Joseph Mc Carthy? > [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I, for one, will continue to cheer when America’s enemies get shot in the head. Every time. Well, dont fake outrage when your “enemies” display the exact same behavior that you do. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/254 "2011-05-03T15:25:58Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Wow, are you misinformed. This talking point has been debunked years ago by dozens of economists. You really should educate yourself. I don’t think you understood what i was saying. republicans are crediting George Bush with killing Osma bin Laden because its his policy set 10 years ago that resulted in Osama’s death last week. Meanwhile, anything bad that happens during a Republican presidency is the result of soemthing Democrats did during their last time at bat. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/255 "2011-05-03T15:35:50Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I found that a very interesting piece, reflecting my own thoughts on how I myself should be reacting and I appreciated his honesty as he admits that he isn’t quite sure about what he just posted. > > I myself am not inclined to celebrate. I’m against the death penalty and actually see all criminals as victims and worthy of sympathy. But I always get uncomfortable when someone suggests how others should or shouldn’t react. If someone wants to dance in the streets because bin Laden has been killed, I’m not going to suggest that they have misbehaved. I thought it particularly interesting for this audience, since it derives from ethical Humanism. I think that publicly celebrating the killing of someone is … tacky. I think its OK to have, and to acknowledge, feelings of relief, even happiness. To, if you so desire, get together with like minded friends and toast the SEALS who brought this about. To privately say, to a few close friends “I’m glad that bastard is dead.” But to treat anyone’s death as a World Cup soccer victory is not at all respectful of humanity. And if you don’t want to respect bin Laden’s life, I can understand that, but life itself is worth more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/256 "2011-05-03T15:37:30Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Well, dont fake outrage when your “enemies” display the exact same behavior that you do. Why do you continue with the false equivalence? Americans and terrorists are not opposite sides of the same spectrum. What we do is just and right. What they do is pure evil. Do you deny that this is true? ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/257 "2011-05-03T15:41:42Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > And if you don’t want to respect bin Laden’s life, I can understand that, but life itself is worth more than that. And yet, only the former has any bearing on Sunday night’s celebrations. “Life itself” never entered the equation. If you want to say “But bin Laden’s life was a life nonetheless,” then you really _don’t_ understand not wanting to respect his life. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/258 "2011-05-03T15:44:03Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Why do you continue with the false equivalence? Americans and terrorists are not opposite sides of the same spectrum. **What we do is just and right.** What they do is pure evil. Do you deny that this is true? – bolding mine. [Bullshit](http://www.iraqbodycount.org/). But go ahead, keep telling yourself that. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/259 "2011-05-03T15:44:39Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > And yet, only the former has any bearing on Sunday night’s celebrations. “Life itself” never entered the equation. If you want to say “But bin Laden’s life was a life nonetheless,” then you really _don’t_ understand not wanting to respect his life. I still say public celebration is tacky and Life is worth more respect. Human beings can disagree on these things. That’s part of the respect thing. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436/260 "2011-05-03T15:46:57Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I agree. Carter took the heat for the failed delta force operation during the Iran hostage crisis. > > What gets me is how there is this lag time between anything a president does and when its effects become obvious. For example, the housing crisis was really the result of laws passed in the 1970s by DEMOCRATS, caused by Fannie Mae (created after WWII) and Freddie Mac (created in the 1970’s) and it just took this long for inevitable results to show and Bush just happened to be on watch when the whole thing went sideways. > > The prosperity of the 1990’s and the internet boom was the result of groundwork laid by Reagan and HW Bush, not CLinton. The crash… THAT was the result of Clinton. > > There enough blame for everyone but if we were assigning blame where it belonged, it would not get distributed evenly. Please show me the mortgages that Fanny and Freddy originated, The answer is zero. The bad mortgages were create by the banksters and sleezy mortgage companies who did not care about whether they were good or not since they had no intention of keeping them. And that was followed by Fannie and Freddie creating CDOs . Wait, that was the bankers too, wasn’t it. Well they must be responsible for AAA rating all the bad mortgages ? Nope, that was the rating companies who caused that. The bankers are responsible for that mess. Put the blame where it belongs on the back of politicians who killed regulation and the freewheeling bankers who were looting homeowners across the world at an incredible rate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-is-dead/580436.md?page=14)