This is a very treacherous topic to write about, unless you are prepared to join the celebratory throngs, both Democrats and Republicans, who think the killing of Bin Laden was the greatest thing to have ever happened. I must admit that I am happy that they finally got him. It does satisfy a human instinct for revenge, even though this may not be the most admirable of our instincts. Whether it's "justice" or not, as normally understood in countries that believe in the rule of law or due process is another question altogether.
The celebrations in the street, the high-fives, did bother me. As has been said by others, this is not a sport. I found it tasteless.
Some of the verbiage bothered me. The President's statement that they had "cut off the head" of the organization by killing Bin Laden was to my mind a terrible metaphor. He should not have used it. The statement by others that this was one of the greatest military operations ever was preposterous.
I found the following piece by Glenn Greenwald extremely good and thoughtful. Maybe you will too.
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I'm also a fan of Greenwald. You're becoming a real lefty, Professor Klar.
ReplyDeleteUsama bin Laden was an international outlaw. His killing didn't Need justifying. And his killing wasn't about revenge, either. It was an internationally sanctioned penalty - to be killed outright - for the role he played in the slaughter of many thousands of innocent people. There is No question as to whether or not it was justice.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would have been nice and better if Osama bin Laden could have gone to court in chains, and rotted away thereafter in prison. What country would have been willing to take on the responsibility and expense of guarding him for the rest of his days?
A much more important question is: How did he manage to live for years just a stone's throw from the intelligence agency to which Americans and Canadians have given so much aid? And why are Westerners continuing to support the Pakistani government, which today denied categorically any possible complicity or involvement in bin Laden's complacent residency in a military neighborhood, and which refused to even consider doing an investigation?
America should cut off All aid to Pakistan, until the latter coughs up some hard answers.
Who cares if some idiots dance in the street at bin Laden's demise. I don't care. I want to know how he managed to Live there as long as he did, right under the nose of the same government with its hand out for Western aid!