Osama, Osama...

[Thumper]

Wherefore art thou osama?

We seem to have lost him. Or did we?

Been thinking a bit about how this goon could escape after all we did to try to catch him. Why weren't the Marines used to contain the escape routes?

There are three possibilities.

A. We kill him.
B. We capture him.
C. He gets away.

What are the ramifications of each?
If we capture him alive then we have the messy job of dealing with him. We either try him by military tribunal, federal court, or even internationally at the Hague. No matter which occurs it will be watched by all the world. That is one of the drawbacks of this instantaneous information age we live in. If he is convicted we either execute him, which will inflame the screwballs even more(who cares) and make him a martyr(again, who cares), or we imprison him for life which just invites some of his idiots to try a hostage for Osama game. Not to mention either option lets Al Qeda(sp?) know they need to form a new leadership structure and regroup.

If our guys get lucky enough and end up turning him into some 21st century cave art with a controlled burst of automatic weapons fire, then he is again viewed as a martyr and serves as a rallying cry for his goons.

Both of these scenarios have a deeper implication. With the death or arrest of Bin Laden, public opinion and support of the War on Terrorism may begin to wane. That old "accomplished our objective" curse. The rest of the world may withdraw support for any more action we may want to take. We did it too fast and too effectively.

But....

Suppose we capture him and put him on ice. Don't publicize it, just put him in a small cell somewhere and let him rot. Or we kill him and keep it secret. Nobody knows. We just pretend he got away. That way we can "keep looking for him" wherever our intelligence says we should go next. IfyaknowhutImean *wink*. The War on Terrorism continues. Also, if Al-Qeda thinks he is still alive they may lay low and wait for instructions from their "fearless leader"....let'em wait. Good way to keep public support for the military actions going strong. I am not exactly against this idea by the way.

Do ya think this may have ocurred to GW and Colin?

I have trouble believing we would just let him get away. We may have him already.

'course.....I may be full of poopy on this subject too

 

[girl]

After taking a few moments to gather my wits again after admiring that leather-clad posterior for a few moments too long:

I have to agree with you. Now, I don't know if we actually have him or have killed him or if he's really gone, but you're right, it would be very advantageous to those currently in power to keep the fact a secret, if we have gotten hold of him. Bush and Ashcroft (ugh) and their cronies are taking advantage of people's patriotism as well as their paranoia to get all kinds of intrusive laws passed. Shades of McCarthyism, anyone? It's downright scary and I think it'll get worse before it gets better.


girl

 

[Thumper]

Though I am rather liberal minded....yeah, I know who woulda thunk it..I don't think there is a conspiracy going on...if there is it won't get far.

Just thinking that the capture or death of Bin Laden will hinder the efforts to eradicate terrorism militarily. If we have him, the world and the US population will focus on Osama.

I don't agree with the policies coming out of Washington right now, but there is a sizable and vigorous opposition keeping an eye on things. The Libertarians included. We will be OK...

Just thinking it may be politically expedient to "let Osama get away" right now.

 

[Krankar]

sung to the tune of "Oh Donna"

I killed a 'qeida,
osama was his name
mailed his skull to Baghdad
torched his corpse with flame
..(you finish the rest)
------------------------------------

It is not an unreasonable thought to believe that, perhaps, osama has been dead for weeks. It would serve absolutely no larger purpose to declare his death, or his capture. Interestingly, his most recent "contact" was by RADIO. (maybe he just ran out of tape for his camcorder ???)

Of course GWB and Colin have thought of
these options and ramifications. Lest we forget, PapaBush was the Head Spook for
several years.....

Speaking of spooks, we must consider the NSA- (an entity with no budget, and limited admission of existence) It is said that the CIA,FBI,KGB and other "initial" groups operate "in the shadows" Who, pray tell, MAKES the shadows?

 

[girl]

Re: sung to the tune of "Oh Donna"

Lest we forget, PapaBush was the Head Spook for
several years.....

Erm...was?

girl

 

[Azwed]

Bush Sr. was the CIA director for several years back in the 70's.

Spook=spy=CIA

 

[Marxist]

I'm not going to say how I know this but Osama, when caught, will die on the spot. There will be no trial or debriefing or interrogation. He's juice. And I don't mean O.J.

Study the admitted disinformation from the Gulf War and you'll note a startling similarity to this situation:

1. D.O.D. inspired media over-estimation of enemy's capabilty and / or suicide readiness.

2. Simplification of task.

3. Coalition building to lessen the blow of Osama's downfall in the Arab world.

If Osama gets his ticket punched in the field, there will be few cries of martyr from those with power to do something about it. If it happens after a date with the courts (like John Brown or Joan of Arc) the cries will be legion. The U.S. government knows this and will act accordingly.

 

[Guest]

1. D.O.D. inspired media over-estimation of enemy's capabilty and / or suicide readiness.


That was my fault.

 

[alltherage]

While i agree that is possible that he is on ice somewhere I tend to doubt it. I do so for several reasons. I do not think that the administration is all that hot to go on to the next target. Retoric is one thing, doing so quite another. Our "friends" in the middle east have no stomach for it. Iraq, Iran, Syria, are not very inviting targets. The political price is far too high. Osama being dead gives them the beginning of an out. In a recent poll of americans only 50 per cent feared further terroist attacks. I think our national will is winding down. I do not like this view but it is the one I am forced to have.

My fear, and it is only slight, is that we killed the basbard with an air strike and because he was in an unexpected place at the time, we have no way to confirm it. We end up chasing a ghost with no end in sight is how this senerio goes.

One last point. It would have been wise to let the marines be more active in this final phase. The problem? We have grown used to bloodless wars. Our own blood that is. To avoid american allies we relied on an army of bandits whose tradition it is to switch sides rather than fight to the death. In hidesight this was a mistake. I am certain there will be many more to come. Man hunts are less than successful when done from 40000 feet. Oh by the way, anyone seen Muhammed Omar lately?

 

[girl]

Bush Sr. was the CIA director for several years back in the 70's.

Spook=spy=CIA

Well, yes, but I was referring to your use of the past tense. No, he doesn't head the CIA now, but I can't imagine he's not pulling an awful lot of strings backstage.

girl