Many of you that know me will also know my politics are quite to the right of center. That's why it's odd for me to be so enthusiastic about our President Obama and the recent dispatching of Osama bin Laden. Allow me to explain why past the typical, “Well, he IS the commander in chief, and it was his call.”
When OBL's hiding place was discovered, it has been reported that our military had recommended a bomb strike, possibly with a JDAM or other 2k lb ordnance. This would have been quite an easy and painless way to handle the situation. The media has reported that the reason why Obama elected to not use that route has to do with America's, and the world's, perception that proof of death would be an issue. I think there is more to it.
Imagine the political landscape. Imagine the decision Obama faced dropping high explosives off of an aircraft's wing into a suburban neighborhood of a sovereign nation that we are allied with and supposed friends and partners in the war on terror with. Although I have every confidence in our technology and proficiency of our aircrews, accidents happen. If there had been a single collateral casualty, there would have been all manner of hell to pay.
So a surgical strike with special forces was considered. This, also, is fraught with danger. This time, with OUR sons and daughters. I imagine the decision that weighed on Obama's mind was heavy one. As luck would have it, the operation was a success. For that, Barack Obama deserves the credit that is due him. Let us also keep in mind that most of that credit is due the nameless patriotic Americans in our SpecOps and intelligence communities that did the heavy lifting. I also give credit to the previous administration for putting the mechanisms in place for this intelligence to have come to light.
This is a matter that all the world can be proud of. A man that slaughtered as many Muslims as he did “infidels” is no more. I do find it hard rejoicing in the death of anyone, as the ideal situation would have been for him to stand and be judged by man before he is ultimately judged by Allah/God. However a man that lives by the sword, well you know the rest....
I'm still not voting for him in 2012! ;)
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