# Obama announcing death of Osama bin Laden \[edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 2, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435 "2011-05-02T02:15:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/341 "2011-05-02T12:51:58Z")
It’s small-minded of me I know, but I hope “buried at sea” is code for “we chummed up a few sharks and tossed the bastard overboard.” ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/342 "2011-05-02T12:55:06Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > From the Yahoo News article; > > “That bin Laden had been living in a specially constructed compound less than an hours’ drive from Pakistani military HQ, and in the same town as the country’s premier military academy, makes the near constant denials by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies that the terror group leader was in the country difficult to swallow.” > > “So the idea that absolutely no one but American intelligence knew who was living in that multi-million dollar compound beggars belief.” > > There we go. Mere hours before this started being asked, as I suggested earlier. Now the fallout gets more interesting from here. > > “Defenders of the ISI say that it is their job to maintain contacts with groups like that as part of their intelligence gathering methods. One spokesman told me that the ISI has infiltrators in the terror groups just like the FBI has people undercover in the Mafia. That may be the case. But either way the ISI isn’t going to come out of this well. Either they knew about bin Laden and waited to inform the U.S., or they were oblivious to the presence of a massive, multi-million dollar compound in their back yard, one so secretive that the residents burned their own trash. That doesn’t augur well for Pakistan’s ability to tackle the next terrorist threat that comes out of the woodwork.” > > Unfortunately, given that Afghanistan is landlocked, we are dependent on Pakistan for shipments of fuel and materiel to our people there. We are going to have to do some serious drawdowns in a big hurry if they decide “You know, fuck it. You caught us. Take a walk.” With respect speculations on ISI or Pak Agencies actual role is irrelvant for the situation of the ground in Pakistam. The most worrying development is this > **[Taliban vows to avenge Osama's death, blames ISI](https://www.rediff.com/news/report/pak-taliban-vows-to-avenge-osamas-death-blames-isi/20110502.htm)** > > Blaming Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence for the killing of Osama bin Ladin, the Tehrike Taliban Pakistan has vowed to avenge the death the Al Qaeda chief. Both the United States and Pakistan are enemies, but Taliban's prime target is Pakistan,... > [@](#): > > [Rediff.com](http://Rediff.com) » News » Pak Taliban vows to avenge Osama’s death, blames ISI > Pak Taliban vows to avenge Osama’s death, blames ISI > May 02, 2011 17:48 IST > Tags: Laden, Taliban, Inter Services Intelligence, Ihsanullah Ihsan, Osama bin Ladin > Share > this > Ask > Users > Write a > Comment > Blaming Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence for the killing of Osama bin Ladin, the Tehrike Taliban [Images] Pakistan has vowed to avenge the death the Al Qaeda [Images] chief. Both the United States and Pakistan are enemies, but Taliban’s prime target is Pakistan, as without its help the West could not operate in Abbottabad. > > Taking to [rediff.com](http://rediff.com) from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan said, “Soon, we will avenge the martyrdom of Osama bin Laden [Images]. Our morale is high and the martyrdom of bin Laden will further strengthen the cause of jihad. If we did not take revenge it would mean that our morale is down, so a reaction will come soon.” > Click! > > Ihsan further said, “The Pakistani government is an enemy of the Islamic system. They are behind the killing of Osama bin Laden. Even in the past a number of Arab mujahideens were handed over to America for the sake of money. The present Pakistani government is an enemy of Islam; please come forward and join hands with us to defeat it.” > > According to the Taliban, the killing of bin Laden will further inspire Muslim youth to become mujahideens. “Osama will be replaced by another mujahideen commander; the death of an individual cannot finish a whole movement,” said Ihsan. > > Responding to a question, he said, “For us Pakistan is the enemy number one and we will defeat it. All Taliban factions are united and we appeal to those factions that are close to the ISI that never rely on this spy agency. It has been labelled as pro-Islam, but it is run by secular people.” Taliban/AQ are going the retailate and I can assure you the targets are very unlikely to be any where near where you work and live. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/343 "2011-05-02T13:00:29Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > I just put my flag out. I encourage you all to do the same. (It’s dark so I have a light on it) Thank you for reminding me. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/344 "2011-05-02T13:06:10Z")
It is relevant, because they’ve been playing both sides against each other. Protecting some people (like bin Laden) and making a show of trying to reign in the tribal areas because the shit going down there is a challenge to the authority of the central government. But they can’t go too far because they’ve made a nest with the vipers and their position is a little precarious. The interesting thing will be what they do when (or if) they realize that they cannot allow the Jihadists to win. India is unlikely to sit quietly and watch a Taliban type goverment take over a nuclear powered state on their borders. China may be playing nice with them now too, but they as well are unlikely to be very happy with a radical terrorist-supporting muslim state on the borders of their territory when they have enough issues in that part of their country already. The ISI isn’t irrelevant. It is the KEY. They are the ones who have created this whole mess, and what direction they turn from here decides the fate of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/345 "2011-05-02T13:09:19Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > There are reports that a woman was being used as a human shield and was killed. Where she came from and whether she was in fact an innocent civilian hasn’t been addressed, as far as I’ve heard. NBC is reporting that it was one of his wives, and she was standing in front of him to defend him. We likely will hear several different versions before the final one. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/346 "2011-05-02T13:16:52Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > NBC is reporting that it was one of his wives, and she was standing in front of him to defend him. We likely will hear several different versions before the final one. I adore the idea of him hiding behind a girl. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/347 "2011-05-02T13:19:23Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Taliban/AQ are going the retailate and I can assure you the targets are very unlikely to be any where near where you work and live. Oh gee, I am soooo scared…c’mon, what are they gonna do? Blow up subway stations, hijack planes and fly them into skyscrapers, stuff like that? Al-Qaeda’s already done the worst things imaginable to innocent citizens of America and other countries worldwide; it’s not like they can come up with anything new that hasn’t already been done. And since their key sympathizers/collaborators have already been voted out of the White House as of 2008, they’re even more hamstrung than before. As for the leaders of Pakistan knowingly harboring the world’s #1 fugitive for ten years, let 'em live with their shame. No need to make an example of them…yet. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/348 "2011-05-02T13:28:46Z")
“I’ve never wished anyone dead, but I’ve read some obituaries with a great deal of satisfaction.” - Will Rogers Congratulations to President Obama, and the military and intelligence personnel who pulled this off. Well done, one and all. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/349 "2011-05-02T13:30:07Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > NBC is reporting that it was one of his wives, and she was standing in front of him to defend him. We likely will hear several different versions before the final one. Unfortunately there will never be a “final” version. The wackos are sweeping in even as I type. Was bin Laden bin Laden? Why would an Obama kill a bin Laden? He has been sent off to a secret island (perhaps the same one where Godzilla was buried after that volcano erupted). We know he wasn’t sent to the moon because we never made it to the moon ourselves. Oh, and the woman defending him? Michelle Obama, who had been replaced by a double after she ran off to the compound. And on and on… ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/350 "2011-05-02T13:41:43Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > It’s small-minded of me I know, but I hope “buried at sea” is code for “we chummed up a few sharks and tossed the bastard overboard.” He is dead. Do you imagine that, in your scenario, bin Laden would be thinking, “holy crap, getting shot in the eyeball was bad enough; now they’re feeding me to sharks! Can this day get any worse?” mmm ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/351 "2011-05-02T13:51:28Z")
Only took 'em 10 years to get the guy… With that grumbling aside, Osama’s death has got to be some of the better news to start the day with. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/352 "2011-05-02T13:58:15Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s exactly what I was thinking as I was hearing the sketched accounts of what happened. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The guy will be well-enough known throughout the community, and he’ll get his share of free beers. Just because we don’t know who he is doesn’t mean the SEALs don’t know who he is. **mmm** - The sharks are strictly for my own amusement. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/353 "2011-05-02T14:01:31Z")
I hope they took photos, although that won’t stop the conspiracy nuts from claiming he’s still alive and living with Tupac and Elvis. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/354 "2011-05-02T14:09:38Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > OMG I am so sorry! I surely did not mean to leave the smiley in that quote box! Now I am all: :o Eh, no worries. 😃 > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I wonder if we’ll get any identification on the names of those on SEAL team, or on who got the kill shot (which they might not even know for sure). I heard his name was Jack Bauer. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Does Islamic law allow turning it over to a necromancer for a bit before burial? You misspelled “necrophiliac.” > [@Chefguy](#): > > I hope they took photos, although that won’t stop the conspiracy nuts from claiming he’s still alive and living with Tupac and Elvis. That is a concern. But I can’t believe they’d dispose of the body without retaining some sort of proof that they’re happy with. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/355 "2011-05-02T14:13:24Z")
Damn. I’m in Taiwan this week and don’t have TV or internet in the apartment so I didn’t see this until now. Worse, my 15 year Glenmorangie is back in Tokyo, so tonight I’ll lift a beer to the men who risk their lives to make ours safer. This will not the the end, and the war is not won, but tonight someone evil cannot threaten us. Normally, I drink Japanese beer, but tonight, I’ll buy American. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/356 "2011-05-02T14:28:45Z")
Breaking News banner on CNN: **“Operation targeting Osama bin Laden designed, executed to kill him rather than take him alive, U.S. official tells CNN.”** From a [CNN story](http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.precautions/index.html?hpt=T2): \*\*"Adding to the concern is a Defense Department report released last week by the WikiLeaks website that a Guantanamo detainee had knowledge of al Qaeda possibly possessing a nuclear bomb somewhere in Europe. "The detainee, Abu al-Libi, said he was told by al Qaeda associate Sharif al-Masri that he believed if bin Laden were captured or killed ‘the bomb would be detonated’ in the United States. “Al-Libi said al-Masri told him during the summer of 2004 that the terrorist network was having difficulty moving the bomb, but if it could move it ‘al Qaeda would find operatives to use it’.”\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/357 "2011-05-02T14:29:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I hope they took photos, although that won’t stop the conspiracy nuts from claiming he’s still alive and living with Tupac and Elvis. Are you kidding? I’m sure they have high-res, HD, surround sound of the body. I’m sure they did an extensive autopsy before they dumped it in the ocean. And I hope they never release the pictures publicly - I still can’t unsee the pics of Hussein’s sons. :eek: Actually, I think they still have the body, and will continue poking at it until they decide they’re done, and then they’ll quietly dump it off some aircraft carrier at some point in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/358 "2011-05-02T14:45:48Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > Are you kidding? I’m sure they have high-res, HD, surround sound of the body. I’m sure they did an extensive autopsy before they dumped it in the ocean. > > And I hope they never release the pictures publicly - I still can’t unsee the pics of Hussein’s sons. :eek: > > Actually, I think they still have the body, and will continue poking at it until they decide they’re done, and then they’ll quietly dump it off some aircraft carrier at some point in the future. Why would anyone bother with an autopsy? They will hold onto enough blood/tissue to prove an ID, and the bullet holes in the head are sufficient evidence of the cause of death. IMO they will release some photos and pretty damn soon. There will be too many claiming that it’s all a lie. I hope they kept the body. I think dumping it at see is gonna cause problems down the line, because of the denial stuff. Does any anyone know if there are any acceptable Muslim rituals for burial at sea? The administration said they would obey the appropriate religious requirements for burial. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/359 "2011-05-02T14:52:07Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > \*\*"Adding to the concern is a Defense Department report released last week by the WikiLeaks website that a Guantanamo detainee had knowledge of al Qaeda possibly possessing a nuclear bomb somewhere in Europe. > > "The detainee, Abu al-Libi, said he was told by al Qaeda associate Sharif al-Masri that he believed if bin Laden were captured or killed ‘the bomb would be detonated’ in the United States.\*\* Which demonstrates the problem of applying torture & extreme rendition to terrorist suspects – they will make up any crazy story to make the pain go away. Sure, what this jerk says may be true, but absent any independent corroboration, how do we know he’s not lying? > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > **“Al-Libi said al-Masri told him during the summer of 2004 that the terrorist network was having difficulty moving the bomb, but if it could move it ‘al Qaeda would find operatives to use it’.”** What’s wrong with FedEx? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435/360 "2011-05-02T14:56:13Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Does any anyone know if there are any acceptable Muslim rituals for burial at sea? The administration said they would obey the appropriate religious requirements for burial. [Sea Burial Services Dignified Memorial Services](http://www.seaservices.com/Muslim.htm) 1. - If a person dies on a ship and if there is no fear of the decay of the dead body and if there is no problem in retaining it for sometime on the ship, it should be kept on it and buried in the ground after reaching the land. Otherwise, **after giving Ghusl, Hunut, Kafan and Namaz-e-Mayyit it should be lowered into the sea in a vessel of clay or with a weight tied to its feet. And as far as possible it should not be lowered at a point where it is eaten up immediately by the sea predators.** 2. **If it is feared that an enemy may dig up the grave and exhume the dead body and amputate its ears or nose or other limbs, it should be lowered into sea, if possible, as stated in the foregoing rule.** 3. - The expenses of lowering the dead body into the sea, or making the grave solid on the ground can be deducted from the estate of the deceased, if necessary. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-announcing-death-of-osama-bin-laden-edited-title/580435.md?page=19)