So Osama Bin Laden was killed yesterday. Now what kind of political blogger would I be if I didn’t post something about this? (btw: to me, this doesn’t count as a post, Mr. Fleming) ([update] this kinda does).
Let me first say that, as a Christian, I can’t jibe condoning killing of any kind with the Bible. That said, the world is certainly a better place without that monster and his death does not grieve me in the slightest.
Now some people have had interesting reactions to this news. The Wikipedia section on his death states “In Pakistan some people were reported to be shocked at the unauthorized incursion by US armed forces.” Really? If they know Osama was the target, are they actually surprised that we went in without their permission or knowledge? Pakistan isn’t exactly a staunch ally and Osama didn’t exactly throw a shoe at the President.
Now, of course, there’s the subject of who gets the credit. Naturally, Obama is receiving no small amount of praise for this. Honestly, I don’t think any President deserves any significant amount of credit. They don’t work sources for intel or fly the choppers to the target or participate in the firefight. They basically do little more than sign off on the mission. Even so, my first reaction was that Bush (or even Clinton) should get more credit because he at least started the search for Osama, whereas Obama has professed for the longest time that we should be out of the Middle East. After a little more research, it appears Obama does deserve some credit, as he was somewhat involved in the days leading up to the operation; he certainly deserves credit for not letting on about what was going on (something I doubt I could have done), although I find this to be a disturbing pattern in this President:
The president made the decision to undertake the operation at 8:20 a.m. on April 29th in the White House’s Diplomatic Room before he left to survey tornado damage in Alabama. Tom Donilon, his National Security Advisor, prepared the formal orders and convened the principals at 3 p.m. that same day to complete the planning.
The next day, without giving off a hint of the weighty operation being planned, Obama prepared for and delivered his address at the annual White House Correspondent’s Association dinner. The next morning he played nine holes of golf.
So, all in all, Obama may deserve some credit, but remember that if America had gone along with his original wishes, Osama would not only still be alive, but possibly even able to operate openly with a lack of any kind of American military presence.
Now some jokes have popped into my head while writing this and, I’m sorry, but I just have to get them out.
First, there’s the post’s title. Get it? “Laden,” as in, “burdened with”? …..shutup, you stupid crickets…
Osama Bin Laden to rest
And finally, the gamer in me just wants to say: BOOM! Headshot!
