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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder with what authority USA killed Osama Bin Laden.

342 replies

Mamaz0n · 02/05/2011 09:43

Since when has murder been justice?

Don't get me wrong, i think it is a good thing that he has died. I think that to imprison him would have caused massive uprising in violence and kidnaps etc.

But it bothers me that America has just decided that this man is guilty and therefore acted to murder him.

It is my (probably naive) understanding that you can't be extradited to a state that has the death penalty, so how exactly can Obama's order to kill Bin Laden be at all legal?

I have even just heard that the Pakistani government were not even aware that the USA were taking this action.

I am sorry but it sits very uncomfortably with me.

OP posts:
hairylights · 02/05/2011 09:45

The reports say they asked him to surrender first but he wouldn't.

AuntiePickleBottom · 02/05/2011 09:46

america didn't just decide theat bin laden is guilty, there was evidence.

I don't belive in the death penilty, but there is no other punishment for what this vermin did

littleducks · 02/05/2011 09:49

I know what you mean. Then they waited a week to announce it so they could check via DNA it really was him.......so if it hadnt been we would have been none the wiser about the whole operation

It does seem all a bit Jack Bauer-esque

Original poster
Mamaz0n · 02/05/2011 09:50

But only a jury can decide whether there is enough evidence surely?

What he did? It has been well documented that he didn't even organise the details of 9/11.
He is a religious extremist, yes and he has incited violence. But I dn't think what he is supposedly guilty of is more or less worse than war criminals.

Even Sadam Hussain got a trial and legal guilt was placed upon him.

I dislike the idea that America can "decide" that you are guilty and organise your execution and then brag about it all over the place.

It seems wrong to me.

OP posts:
strandedbear · 02/05/2011 09:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mamaz0n · 02/05/2011 09:52

more or less worse? it is early! More or less evil

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 02/05/2011 09:52

The report I read said he died in a firefight. I think the intent would have been to capture him alive as they have now created a martyr.

coastgirl · 02/05/2011 09:52

I dislike the fact people are celebrating in the streets. Leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth, regardless of who he was.

DarthNiqabi · 02/05/2011 09:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mamaz0n · 02/05/2011 09:53

I have to go out now but i look forward to returning and seeing if i was BU or not. I genuinly can't decide.

OP posts:
meditrina · 02/05/2011 09:53

They acted on US Presidential authority. The news this morning showed a clip of Obama's speech in which he stated that one of his first acts as President was to tell the head of CIA that his most important mission was to kill or capture UBL (yes, that way round).

I don't know if there were further international legal underpinnings to that authorisation.

mummyplum · 02/05/2011 09:54

strandedbear i feel suspicious, perhaps cynical!

In answer to the OP if it is to be believed the US Military do not have authority to take action in Pakistan, but the CIA do, so it would have to be a CIA-Navy Seal collaboration to make it "legal". Quite embarrasing for Pakistan, but convenient for Obama IMO.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/05/2011 09:59

I shudder to think what the average Pakistani person thinks about this. I wouldn't be happy if, for example, Sudan's paramilitary forces were killing people in Tooting.

NulliusInVerba · 02/05/2011 10:00

So Osama is dead now is he? Tell me something I didnt know.

I was tempted to start a thread over this but decided against it.

Its rather convenient isnt it? Now that we are all at war with Libya, need to get the other one finished.
He was apparently just sat in a camp, but nobody anywhere knew this.
The guy had ruined kidneys and no videos have been seen of him in years.
Oh and his body has been buried "at sea" where no one can see it. How convenient.

PandaNot · 02/05/2011 10:00

It seems from their statements that Pakistan have no problem whatsoever with what happened!

I have a feeling that he had been convicted of something in his absence, possibly linked to bombings of US embassies, but I can't find the link atm.

catsareevil · 02/05/2011 10:00

I dont think that waited a week to check DNA - it was yesterday.

catsareevil · 02/05/2011 10:02

I agree that it seems a little surprising to bury the body at sea and then have the risk of rumors that he isnt dead at all. Maybe they were worried that if the body was still around that it would become a bit of a focus for supporters?

RudeEnglishLady · 02/05/2011 10:03

YANBU

Why not a trial like Saddam or Milosovic? I think it makes him more glorious to followers that he was gunned down like a hero. If he was standing in the dock having to answer awkward questions in a prison suit it would have been a bigger punishment I think.

This morning they had a picture of his face that had been shot and had blood on it on the news. That was a step too far for me. Its so disrespectful and I don't want to see it. He was a very bad man but surely its better to treat even the worst people with a basic humanity otherwise we damage ourselves in the process.

All I can think about is the reprisals that are inevitable. Very scary times.

flippinada · 02/05/2011 10:04

I know this is stating the bleeding obvious, but surely US couldn't have done this without co-operation from Pakistan?

Perhaps he had become a liability and they wanted rid. Pure speculation of course.

mummyplum · 02/05/2011 10:07

Well of course Pakistan would never want to admit that they had no idea about what was going on in their own country.

flippinada · 02/05/2011 10:08

RudeEnglishLady - agree about reprisals.

As for a trial, I expect the US woudn't be keen to give him a platform. Wasn't he trained up by US/West when fighting with the mujahadeen?

mummyplum · 02/05/2011 10:08

Nullis I agree with you.

Vallhala · 02/05/2011 10:08

Absolutely, Nullius.

That said, if he is dead as reported, great. And I don't really give a shit how, by whom or on whose authority.

flippinada · 02/05/2011 10:10

mummyplum - there's that.

But 'someone' obviously knew where he was and I'm sure they could have put a spanner in the works had they wanted to.

mummyplum · 02/05/2011 10:11

Great way for Obama to gain votes from US citizens?

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