Bin Laden Dead.

**strangeirish** · 02/05/2011, 3:18 AM

Breaking News

Apparently killed at a mansion in Pakistan. Supposedly a human operation versus a drone attack.

**dancinpants** · 02/05/2011, 4:11 AM

Obama just secured his re-election.

**mypost** · 02/05/2011, 4:30 AM

He's here in 3 weeks. Just when security here was tight enough already, this happens.

**SkStu** · 02/05/2011, 5:22 AM

congratulations on creating an Islamic martyr. Worrying stuff if you ask me. The fall out could be catastrophic. Interesting to see the euphoric scenes outside the White House and at Ground Zero. Interesting and understandable in a lot of ways considering the scenes we saw on Al Jazeera after 9/11. The world is so messed up.

As dancinpants said, victory is Obamas now. So mission accomplished on that score too.

**backstothewall** · 02/05/2011, 8:21 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

congratulations on creating an Islamic martyr. Worrying stuff if you ask me. The fall out could be catastrophic. Interesting to see the euphoric scenes outside the White House and at Ground Zero. Interesting and understandable in a lot of ways considering the scenes we saw on Al Jazeera after 9/11. The world is so messed up.

As dancinpants said, victory is Obamas now. So mission accomplished on that score too.

Can't agree. A few years ago he would probably have been seen that way, but I think the timing of this means this will be seen as another event in the Arab Spring. Al Qaeda has been on the wane, both in terms of their support and in militarily terms for years now. This could clear the path to opening negotiations with the Taliban and getting agreement in Afghanistan.

**Dodge** · 02/05/2011, 8:54 AM

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/05/01...l?dlvrit=36761

**Crosby87** · 02/05/2011, 11:32 AM

This is fantastic but thankfully in no way ensures Obama's Re Election IMO. It was already sadly assured by the lackluster Republican noms.

**dahamsta** · 02/05/2011, 12:40 PM

I didn't read every word of that article, is there independent confirmation?

**elroy** · 02/05/2011, 12:44 PM

Hes was killed and body buried in the sea off Aghanistan. Apparently Saudi Arabia refused to take his body.

And I the only one that remains a tad sceptical - surely there has to be photos of the body to verify this??? I can understand that they want to minimise the possibility of Bin Laden seen as a martyr. But who's to say the US have not known he was dead for a while (as was suspected) and have used this operation to claim his death.......still too many questions in my mind.

**bennocelt** · 02/05/2011, 3:02 PM

Buried at sea - ah come off it, thats a joke surely

**Eminence Grise** · 02/05/2011, 3:24 PM

I presume burial at sea is to prevent his grave becoming a place of pilgrimage.

I don't think we'll ever know the true circumstances of his life or death. Robert Fisk on Newstalk this morning was unsure what impact his death would have - would it lead to an upsurge in terrorism, or would he fade from memory given that he had been regarded as a retired terrorist?

**Dodge** · 02/05/2011, 5:40 PM

I think its more to do with the optics of it for US citizens. Some sort of 'closure' (hate that term) for 9/11

If it means the average hick American starts to no longer fear every Muslim, then job done as far as I'm confirmed.

**bennocelt** · 02/05/2011, 5:55 PM

Yeah thats fair enough, but not even to have any photos yet!!! Unless they slowly trickle out in the next few days. These are American soldiers we are talking about, the guys who get their kicks taking photos of any dead Muslims they can get their hands on so would be a major surprise if there arent any trophy photos (and a little suspicious if not)

**The Fly** · 02/05/2011, 6:12 PM

Here's how a FOX News affiliate broke the news...

**dahamsta** · 02/05/2011, 7:02 PM

There's a big difference between the ignorant grunts that ran Abu Ghraib and the special forces that would've run this operation.

I still don't get the blanket acceptance of this though, there seems to be very few questions being asked despite no apparent independent evidence.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/05/2011, 2:47 AM

Originally Posted by The Fly

Here's how a FOX News affiliate broke the news...

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7265287_n.jpg

To clarify, it's a Fox affiliate not a Fox News affiliate, which basically means it carries Fox's entertainment schedule. The screenshot is from local news which isn't affiliated with the big bad news channel.

Bin Laden's death is probably less important than it would have been a few years ago. While he was the figurehead of Al Qaeda and had unquestioned credibility on account of 9/11, much of Al Qaeda's power came from the existence of so many pro-US dictatorships that stifled dissent. With recent revolutions and reform pushes, people are finding different ways to air their grievances.

**pineapple stu** · 03/05/2011, 8:54 AM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

I still don't get the blanket acceptance of this though, there seems to be very few questions being asked despite no apparent independent evidence.

Yeah, agree with that. It's been said before that he's been thought to be dead. Abbottabad is a fair way from the sea - quite something for them to have done DNA tests (which I don't think it instant) and then fly him to the sea to drop him there, all in the space of a couple of hours. Something doesn't really add up. Also agree with Charlie that it isn't as big a news story as it's being made out to be.

Also had to laugh/cringe at RTÉ dipping into a Jihad forum to get the Arab world's response.

**Hurt Locker** · 03/05/2011, 9:36 AM

agree with you hamster, wouldn't put anything past the yanks. Did they murder his wife as well? Pity Gadaffi wasn't whacked as well.
Will the navy seal get the $25 million reward?

**Fr Damo** · 03/05/2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Yeah, agree with that. It's been said before that he's been thought to be dead. Abbottabad is a fair way from the sea - quite something for them to have done DNA tests (which I don't think it instant) and then fly him to the sea to drop him there, all in the space of a couple of hours. Something doesn't really add up. Also agree with Charlie that it isn't as big a news story as it's being made out to be.

Also had to laugh/cringe at RTÉ dipping into a Jihad forum to get the Arab world's response.

I have to agree with you stu. I suspect he is dead and we will see photos in due course but not yet "buried".

**brendy_éire** · 03/05/2011, 12:44 PM

What I don't get is that no-one has really questioned as to why he was killed?
He hasn't been convicted of anything, only linked to certain events.
Is it legal just to go in and kill someone you suspect of being involved in murder?

Mind you, not sure how overly concerned the US might be with legalities. They're still in Iraq sure.