President Obama and the death of Osama Bin Laden

I had begun to draft a posting about criticism of President Obama, especially recently over the rising fuel costs and if it was a fair criticism. Then came the announcement a few days ago of the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Military during a mission with the CIA. It didn’t take long for doubt and criticism to start. It’s one thing that President Obama has with his predecessors, especially President Bush (G.W.), but is it fair?

First and foremost I believe this is a great testament to our military and our form of government, it shows that a military background isn’t necessary to be the Commander in Chief. A benefit yes, but not a job requirement, with good military and intelligence advisors to provide the best intelligence, operational plans and personnel to carry those plans out the President can give orders to protect this country regardless of a military background.

As I watched the President announce to the country and the world that an operation took place that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden I thought overall he was fine. The President made the announcement in a professional manner with the correct tone. He reiterated that the United States was not at war against people of the Islamic faith, and pointed out that Bin Laden’s planned attacks over the years have killed all faith believing people including Muslims. Could you find something to have fault with in his remarks, yes, but is it really necessary?

Now I want to take a minute to address some of the other criticisms. I agree with the President’s decision not to release the photograph’s. What will be accomplished, except feeding some people’s morbid curiosity? The photo(s) will not prove that he is dead, those that don’t want to believe it will not no matter what the U.S. does. The Taliban wants the pictures released in order to prove to them that he is dead. Since when should we worry about if they believe us or not, are they going to suddenly disband and admit that their brutal interpritation of Islam is wrong? I’ve got an idea, if they want to see the pictures surrender to U.S. forces and we’ll give them personal 8X10 glossies as a part of their care package when they arrive at Gitmo.

All they are going to do with official U.S. photos is use them to show how barbarous the infidels are! As I mentioned those that don’t want to believe are going to continue to deny the authenticity of any photos that are released. Before the President’s announcement Photo Shopped pictures resurfaced on the internet. Members of Congress were even shown them and believed they were real which proves my point that people will believe what they want. Maybe if a couple of years from now Osama Bin Laden comes out with a brand new updated video I’ll change my opinion.

Next there was the announcement that Bin Laden’s body was disposed of at sea, then that he was washed and wrapped in accordance with Islamic traditions and then buried at sea. Of course there was the criticism that his body was “dumped” at sea, then that burial rituals were observed. As far as his being buried at sea, I can understand the argument about not having a grave site that his followers can make a shrine and martyr him. They’re going to do so anyway, but now they won’t have a body to mourn and can have an appreciation for what the families of those that died on September 11, 2001 feel every day.

As far as the burial rituals being observed and his body being washed and wrapped in accordance with those rituals it makes me more proud of our military. Personally I wouldn’t have been bothered if Bin Laden was put in a Hefty bag and just tossed overboard. However, taking the time to comply with the rituals showed respect for the religion, not the man who bastardized it’s teachings for his own purpose. Without saying a word it demonstrated to the world who the true barbarians are, those that committed the attacks killing innocent people and denying those victims a burial in accordance with their traditions or the country that took time to respect the religious rituals of their enemy?

Finally there has been some criticism of the celebrations that took place in front of the White House, Ground Zero, and elsewhere. For a moment people could relax and not be afraid. Was it right or wrong? I’m not going to judge, but for those in other parts of the world that are offended I have one thing to say; now you can appreciate the anger Americans felt as you danced in the streets with joy as the towers fell, and when the soldiers bodies were dragged through the streets in Somalia, or at the beheading of a journalist. In other words, You Reap What You Sow!

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours?

May God Bless America, our Military and Intelligence personnel, those that seek peace in this world, and may he forgive those that work against that end.