Interesting Account from Bin Laden Compound Raid

[Aisling]

Kudos to our very well trained soldiers who were able to shoot him anyways and not kill the woman in front of him.

Not to take anything away from the awesomeness of the Navy Seals, but bin Laden was like 6'5", so unless the woman was really tall, he was an easy shot.

I read that the terrorists would also hole up in hospitals and schools so that we wouldn't bomb them.

 

[Jennasis]

Actually, this is a tactic they have used for years. Think about how in the beginning of the war they used to hide in towns filled with women and children. This was done specifically because they know how the US feels about killing innocent women and children. I am not surprised at all that he pulled a woman in front of him. Kudos to our very well trained soldiers who were able to shoot him anyways and not kill the woman in front of him.

They did kill her didn't they? No survivors from the compound IIRC.

 

[Aisling]

They did kill her.

Oops. Well, as my father says, war is hell.

 

[DaParkers]

Would it be better if he hid behind a man? I think it's cowardly to hide behind anyone after you were willing to kill thousands of people. Die like a man!

 

[Buckalew11]

I thought the woman was killed, no?

 

[JessicaR]

Actually, this is a tactic they have used for years. Think about how in the beginning of the war they used to hide in towns filled with women and children. This was done specifically because they know how the US feels about killing innocent women and children. I am not surprised at all that he pulled a woman in front of him. Kudos to our very well trained soldiers who were able to shoot him anyways and not kill the woman in front of him.

The wife was not spared as far as I have read.

 

[Jennasis]

I thought the woman was killed, no?

Yup.

 

[Buckalew11]

Would it be better if he hid behind a man? I think it's cowardly to hide behind anyone after you were willing to kill thousands of people. Die like a man!

Seriously! But why do we think OBL never flew a plane into a building or strapped a bomb on himself?! HE was the true coward.

 

[Anjelica]

Not to take anything away from the awesomeness of the Navy Seals, but bin Laden was like 6'5", so unless the woman was really tall, he was an easy shot.

I read that the terrorists would also hole up in hospitals and schools so that we wouldn't bomb them.

Chas said in Iraq they used to hide in the mosque's as they (US military)weren't allowed in the mosque's or to fire at the mosque's until they were fired upon. Chas' unit lost 5 guys 4 weeks after Christmas after they were ambushed by a roadside bomb detonated from someone in the mosque. The ensuing gun battle leveled the mosque as they were taking heavy gun fire from it. They found stockpiles of weapons inside the mosque (which is apparently also a tactic they use).

 

[Geoff_M]

They did kill her didn't they? No survivors from the compound IIRC.

The latest reports say that there were 22 "killed or captured" in the compound, a Reuters report says that a woman, believed to be a wife, was only wounded and was not used as a shield. Updates also now say that a 2nd woman was killed but she was not his wife... which would raise some interesting conservative Muslim ethical problems for OBL if he we in the presence of a woman that wasn't a wife (assuming she wasn't a relative).

 

[Aisling]

Chas said in Iraq they used to hide in the mosque's as they (US military)weren't allowed in the mosque's or to fire at the mosque's until they were fired upon. Chas' unit lost 5 guys 4 weeks after Christmas after they were ambushed by a roadside bomb detonated from someone in the mosque. The ensuing gun battle leveled the mosque as they were taking heavy gun fire from it. They found stockpiles of weapons inside the mosque (which is apparently also a tactic they use).

OMG how insanely hard it is for our troops to fight these people!

 

[Aisling]

Seriously! But why do we think OBL never flew a plane into a building or strapped a bomb on himself?! HE was the true coward.

I read about this, too. The reason they give for using human shields and for sending othe to die instead of themselves is because they (the major terrorists) see themselves as going God's work and they're needed alive to be the brain behind the actions.

 

[NotUrsula]

The latest reports say that there were 22 "killed or captured" in the compound, a Reuters report says that a woman, believed to be a wife, was only wounded and was not used as a shield. Updates also now say that a 2nd woman was killed but she was not his wife... which would raise some interesting conservative Muslim ethical problems for OBL if he we in the presence of a woman that wasn't a wife (assuming she wasn't a relative).

Just FYI, it is perfectly permissible for a Muslim man to be in the same room with an unrelated woman, so long as she's properly dressed. There are female household servants all over the place.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

I'm also thinking that if they are married she was willing to be his shield. I know I would take a bullet for my husband and I'm sure many other wives would as well. This report is not surprising and it's all about the spin.

Wow, what the fudge!

Maybe in the ghetto. I'm ghetto, too but I ain't THAT ghetto. Do you not realize that depending on type of bullet used, it could rip through your body AND your DH's body thus pulverizing your organs and leaving both of you dead?


How noble! Especially if you leave your children as orphans.

 

[NaLisa]

I don't know about that. The women over there are treated so poorly that she probably had little choice in the matter. I don't know how many women actually get to choose their husbands, much less who their husbands associate with.

Thank you for saying this. I find the vitriol directed at this woman very disturbing, especially when the facts are not fully known. Pakistani women are routinely raped and physically abused, and domestic violence is not against the law. They may be attacked with acid for not covering their faces. Men may marry them for the dowry then burn the bride. Women are often raped or killed to protect the "honor" of their families and villages. Google Samia Sarawar, Mukhtaran Bibi or Zilla Huma Usman and you'll have an idea about the lives of women in Pakistan.

The horrors they suffer are something we can't really begin to imagine, and having a "choice" in anything is something Pakistani women can't begin to imagine.

 

[punkin]

Thank you for saying this. I find the vitriol directed at this woman very disturbing, especially when the facts are not fully known. Pakistani women are routinely raped and physically abused, and domestic violence is not against the law. They may be attacked with acid for not covering their faces. Men may marry them for the dowry then burn the bride. Women are often raped or killed to protect the "honor" of their families and villages. Google Samia Sarawar, Mukhtaran Bibi or Zilla Huma Usman and you'll have an idea about the lives of women in Pakistan.

The horrors they suffer are something we can't really begin to imagine, and having a "choice" in anything is something Pakistani women can't begin to imagine.

I don't think there's any vitriol against her, just him for using her.

 

[FredinFL]

Being used by a man isn't something new to these women.

 

[NaLisa]

And, in my opinion, this woman knew who he was and what he stood for. She deserved whatever she got--whether she threw herself in front of him or was pulled in front of him. Not finding much sympathy for those who are guilty by association.

I think this is vitriol, and it's not the only such comment on this thread.

 

[jodifla]

Did people see the photo of Obama and his staff inside the situation room receiving updates of the mission? http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/05/03/world/sub-03intel/sub-03intel-popup.jpg

I am still so in awe of the Navy Seals. They are kick a@@

Amazing picture! Thanks for posting.

And I so agree about the Navy Seals. What an amazing group of Americans! What they accomplished is nothing short of phenomenal. It's like one of those impossible action movie thrillers that you think is totally implausible -- but they did it IRL.

 

[horseshowmom]

And one more

The bravery of the Navy Seals who carried out this mission along with the men and women who face danger every day to keep us safe completely overwhelms me.

100% agreement here as well.

Chas said in Iraq they used to hide in the mosque's as they (US military)weren't allowed in the mosque's or to fire at the mosque's until they were fired upon. Chas' unit lost 5 guys 4 weeks after Christmas after they were ambushed by a roadside bomb detonated from someone in the mosque. The ensuing gun battle leveled the mosque as they were taking heavy gun fire from it. They found stockpiles of weapons inside the mosque (which is apparently also a tactic they use).

I'm so sorry for the comrades, friends, and families of these who make the ultimate sacrifice, and it infuriates me to have people make some of these pathetic comments.

We currently know a young couple whose husband is in bomb training right now and who will be leaving for Afghanistan very soon. He'll be leaving his wife and brand new baby. Since they're stationed in Hawaii, she won't be near any of her family (fortunately, she'll have friends on the base for support). A tremendouse sacrifice is made for us, and it's more than sad when people don't have any appreciation for it.

Our prayers are with our troops and their families.