“Criminal” is how one of bin Laden’s sons is said to have characterized the killing of his father. As might be expected, he is reportedly charging that the mission was not to arrest his father, but to kill him. Also at issue is the disposal of bin Laden’s body at sea, and according to reports, the son says the family is reserving the right to take legal action to determine their father’s fate.
In the heat of the moment, it’s considered less than patriotic to question the way bin Laden was brought to justice — even if it contradicts our historic sense of justice. It certainly can be argued, with good cause, that Osama’s acts as a terrorist leader have been worse than criminal. But I don’t think it’s wrong to ask why it wasn’t possible to arrest him.
Not that I’m going to make a fuss over how things turned out. As much as I love our justice system, I recognize that this may have been a situation where bin Laden’s killing was the best possible outcome. I can’t picture the media and security circus surrounding his delivery to US soil, whether NY or Guantanamo.
In the end, Osama bin Laden’s demise isn’t providing closure of any kind. It’s merely prolonging the cycle of irrational violence that’s poisoning today’s world. Today for instance the first act of revenge occurred in Pakistan as a bomb killed at least 80. And one wonders who the survivors of those victims will blame for their loss?
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