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Obama thanks bin Laden assault team

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President Obama's also made use of Predator drone attacks six times more than President Bush.

Lefty Euros hated Bush when he did it; not much background noise from 'the media' or Obama acolytes when 'The One' really enjoys usin' these things. Cool videos.

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There's a helluva difference between Bush's foreign policy and Obama's

Gitmo remains open. Obama rescinded his own order on that one. The Patriot Act has been expanded under Obama. Troop levels are up in Afghanistan, and we have unilaterally interevened in Libya(luckily they were pressured by "BushCo" to cease their program). To cap it all off Obama's greatest success as president was achieved using intel gathered from waterboarding known terrorists - in this case an high-ranking AQ member apprehended in Iraq.If irony fell lke rain Obama's star-struck fanboys and girls would be soaked to the bone.

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Was just reading Michelle Malkin as she walked back through the spin on the bin Laden assault. Where he resisted, didn't resist, hid behind his wife, wife was killed, wife was shot in the leg, someone elses wife was shot in the leg, and all the other stories that have come out of the White House since this happened. I swear, this administration is filled with nothing but incompetent lackwits. About the only thing they've released that we 'know' for sure, is that bin Laden is actually dead, and that he was killed by a team of Seals. Nothing else has held firm for any length of time.

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Madverts: So when you say that this operation was based on intelligence gleaned through Bush era sources, you lie sir, or at least attempt to twist the truth.

From what I've read (LA Times) the courier first started to get mentioned in the secret prisons of Europe years ago, but they never used his real name. That was what started the entire process that lead to finding Bin Laden. At least that's what I've read. And supporting information came from waterboarding.

Madverts: Again, it's a shame this wasn't part of the Bush Doctrine, especially as the birth of that was due to the "new" enemy of terrorism.

The Bush Doctrine signaled a change from the defense of overwhelming force just as Pearl Harbor ended the US's mostly isolationist policy before that. The US put bases all over the world and the deterrent was that any nation that attacked would be met with utter destruction. What changed is technology. We weren't dealing with nations anymore but groups of people. That's where preemtive strike came from. Projecting the threat of force against fixed targets became obsolete. Russia would never fire on the US because they know what the response would be. But terrorists can detonate a dirty bomb in the US and no one nation is responsible. They are not fixed assets. As long as that reality exists just about every President from here on out will be forced to accept the Bush Doctrine.

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Taka313 - The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat.

President Obama ordered a military strike against a wanted terrorist. He did not order an attack against someone who might or might not be an imminent threat. Nice try at smearing President Obama by trying to tie him to the bush doctrine. Massive fail but nice try.

You forget that the Obama doctrine dictated that Obama launch an attack against Libya........... simply because he felt like it. No public debate, no Congressional approval, no explaination.

Obama launched his personal attack against someone (Libya) who might or might not be an imminent threat.

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My typing is terrible, words missing and poor punctuation and for that I apologize.

But if that's your counter-argument....

...well, goodnight.

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The desperation to tie bush to anything that is successful is kind of sad.

Ummmmm..... bush, does deserve a capital B. Hate the man, as you do with every post you make, but he held the position of President for 8 years. No matter what you post he was President George Bush. I do not agree or like President Obama policies. But I will respect his position and will not insult him by child like antics.

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The mission was not based on information from the Bush era sir, you lie. It was very recent, and Obama acted quick.

I do not believe I lie, I believe the mission was built on information gathered from the last administration passed on to this one. I believe the transition and information sharing between both the current administrations resulted in a bullet in his head.

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www bbc co uk news/world-south-asia-13279283

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"I'm thankful that Obama has more or less continued the Bush-Cheney foreign and military policy"

There's a helluva difference between Bush's foreign policy and Obama's. That statement is preposterous.

Obama carried on the mission to find bin Laden. That's about all.

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Heh, so "liberals" cannot mention Bush but you can. You could have been honest and set that in the debate you withdrew from yesterday, though I guess your position is pretty transparent. As for people calling you a "racist", methinks it's a little too late to be using the victim card as a defence.

"He authorised a mission based on intelligence gleamed from the Bush administration, and passed on to his, is that not true Maderts?"

I sure some of the information gleaned from the Bush era was useful. The mission was not based on information from the Bush era sir, you lie. It was very recent, and Obama acted quick.

I'm sorry the 2008 elections have driven you to such on-going bitterness that you have to make such a claim.

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I'm thankful that Obama has more or less continued the Bush-Cheney foreign and military policy which allowed the successful operation to get bin Laden.

I also, even if it also includes being called racist by Liberals on this board.

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I'm thankful that Obama has more or less continued the Bush-Cheney foreign and military policy which allowed the successful operation to get bin Laden.

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Sounds like a whole load of semantics to me. I don't think any American president besides Jimmy Carter would have missed an opportunity like this.

Carter mounted a mission to get our hostages out of Iran, it failed.

Obama really did put everything on the line. And I mean everything. Had that been the wrong house or had innocents been killed or had a shooting match erupted between the US and Pakistan....

He authorised a mission based on intelligence gleamed from the Bush administration, and passed on to his, is that not true Maderts?

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Super,

"Rejecting Iraq doesn't necessarily mean you reject the Bush Doctrine. You could easily make a case that you support the Doctrine but think it was not applied in the right country."

Sounds like a whole load of semantics to me. I don't think any American president besides Jimmy Carter would have missed an opportunity like this. Clinton would have lobbed an indiscriminate missile but who's to say what Dubya would have done. Heh, I dare say it could have gotten a whole lot messier or perhaps an equal outcome....

"Either way, the US's position of overwhelming force is a thing of the past when they new enemy is terrorism."

Again, it's a shame this wasn't part of the Bush Doctrine, especially as the birth of that was due to the "new" enemy of terrorism.

"Obama really did put everything on the line. And I mean everything. Had that been the wrong house or had innocents been killed or had a shooting match erupted between the US and Pakistan....well, any of those things pretty much point to him being toast. It was an incredible gutsy call, and in the end the intelligence wasn't 100% reliable. It would have been the end of his career and a major, major setback for the US in the area."

Kinda makes me not want to play cards with the man! His presidency has had a hard time, inheriting the wars and the tanking economy, so I guess it was a defining moment for Obama, and he's a gutsy player. 100% respect for the call.

I presume JT is as ever a poor meter when it comes to judging US opinion, but it really has shoved the crazed Birther crowd into the spot-light as the bitter and twisted individuals they truly are. Whether you're a democrat or a republican, euro or whoever you are, no one should have a bad thing to say about the decision to remove this man from the gene pool. I have no doubt the orders were to execute him on sight, but I have no problem with that - he gave up his rights as a human being when he became, as W would have said, an agent of evil.

Kudos to the crack unit too.

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SuperLib,

I was wondering why they didn't use Deltas. I thought this was what they were trained for? Go in, kill/capture, then get out. The emphasis is on a specific target and most of all, speed. That's what I remember from reading Balckhawk Down. The author went into detail about exactly what Deltas were trained for and this mission seems like it was made for their specific training. Any clues?

None. I'm just assuming that the SEALs are the best and the President wanted the best. Being able to tease the Soldiers that the best Soldiers are actually Sailors has been kind of fun around the office. We've all had a good time with it. I'm now the brunt of many Navy jokes. It's all in good fun.

Taka

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Taka313: President Obama does not obide by the bush doctrine.

This is a bit of a fuzzy area. Bin Laden was obviously a clear and present danger which and the Bush Doctrine is supposed to act before that happens. But the fact that they went into another country without permission does seem to fall in line with the Bush Doctrine. I'm not entirely sure Obama rejects that. Rejecting Iraq doesn't necessarily mean you reject the Bush Doctrine. You could easily make a case that you support the Doctrine but think it was not applied in the right country. Either way, the US's position of overwhelming force is a thing of the past when they new enemy is terrorism.

Madverts: the audacious raid

Obama really did put everything on the line. And I mean everything. Had that been the wrong house or had innocents been killed or had a shooting match erupted between the US and Pakistan....well, any of those things pretty much point to him being toast. It was an incredible gutsy call, and in the end the intelligence wasn't 100% reliable. It would have been the end of his career and a major, major setback for the US in the area.

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Taka313: I work on an Army base and there was a little consternation over the fact it was the Navy SEALs and not Delta Force.

I was wondering why they didn't use Deltas. I thought this was what they were trained for? Go in, kill/capture, then get out. The emphasis is on a specific target and most of all, speed. That's what I remember from reading Balckhawk Down. The author went into detail about exactly what Deltas were trained for and this mission seems like it was made for their specific training.

Any clues?

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Looking at his ear- to -ear- smile pictures ,I think this could be the best time of President Obama's life since he was born!

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Lieberman2012 - "AdamB, like sushisake3, is disappointed that Osama bin Laden is dead."

So you're an expert at making up claims about what other posters say? That's funny.

For the record I'm glad he's gone.

Bush launched an ill-founded, hyper-costly invasion after spending about zero time reading his history boooks, gave up on finding OBL after just a year, and then left it up to the next president to try to mop up the mess, all the while we see certain conservative posters loudly criticizing the current president for doing what the president they voted for completely failed to do.

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Lieberman2012,

I will ask again, what succession of wars is OBL responsible for in Afghanistan. Please name them rather than just quoting a section from a news article. Tell me what they are as your quote is irrelevant as OBL is not responsible for any wars in Afghanistan (apart from the current one, which could have been avoided if the Taliban handed him over as requested at the outset.)

So please tell me

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From the article I link to above I especially like this quote, since I am from a city with a large community of displaced Afghan nationals:

"Afghans are blaming bin Laden for the succession of wars that displaced millions, forcing them to flee to Pakistan and Iran, while driving out the wealthy and educated to Europe and America. With bin Laden gone, they say restoring peace in Afghanistan should be a priority"

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Lieberman2012,

Please, please enlighten me as to what "succession of wars" that OBL is responsible for in Afghanistan. Please tell me about them as l think you are wrong and dont know what you are talking about. Apart from the current war what others has he been responsible for?

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Old Lad,

C'mon don't play the losing leftist and introduce as many topics as possible to deflect from the above shellacking you received.

President Obama deserves the credit for ordering the gutsy raid and execution.

It's not to hard to accept as a Reality. The guy deserves his due. Deep breath, come on man you do it!!!

Moderator: Please address other posters by their correct user names and omit the smugness.

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As I said above, I prefer to take the word of those most directly affected by events. These are from an Afghan who lived through it all.

"Afghans Rejoice Over Osama Death By Ashfaq Yusufzai"

"ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan, May 6, 2011 (IPS) - The assassination of Al-Qaeda founder and chief Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces has gladdened Afghans, who see him as the person who consigned millions of them to hell.

"His killing has pleased us because Osama was the person who can safely be held responsible for the woes of million of Afghans scattered around the world," said Juma Gul, an Afghan teacher at the Aryana School in Tehkal locality in this border town.

"Afghans are blaming bin Laden for the succession of wars that displaced millions, forcing them to flee to Pakistan and Iran, while driving out the wealthy and educated to Europe and America. With bin Laden gone, they say restoring peace in Afghanistan should be a priority"

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Hold up there fella, I was talking about my Old Friend Mr Lieberman!

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Madverts,

If you read what l have written l was responding to another posters rediculous statements i.e that OBL occupied Afghanistan pre 2001 and displaced millions. If you go back and follow the thread you will see that. And when this poster was picked up on this erronious statement he claimed that l was dissapointed that OBL was dead. Now what else was l supposed to say to this Einstein that doesnt even understand the situation in Afghanistan l was trying to keep it in terms he could understand.

Now at what point did l discredit the US for the raid. I didnt l questioned someones rant about how good the US is, l say good on them for FINALLY getting him. But at what cost in time, money and lives is what l was asking our fist pumping US patriot.

As for claiming im in denial sorry but up the meds mate. You obviously struggle with the english language.

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"HAHAHA so you think lm disappointed he's dead."

That's the best he can muster after denying the President who ordered the audacious raid the credit he truly deserves for the over-seeing the job Bush failed to do, but still incredibly going on to claim it as a victory for George W Bush.

You're head might implode trying to understand how these people tick. For years I've been demanding a medical term for this behaviour, simple Denial just doesn't get to the nub of the affectation for me.

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Seriously Old Friend, he's gone. The Bush Doctrine too, in abject failure.

Get over it.

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Lieberman2012,

HAHAHA so you think lm disappointed he's dead. That from a person who thinks that OBL occupied Afghanistan and caused millions to flee. Mate you need to read a bit more history. Try these books you may actually learn something "The Spiders of Allah", "Taliban", or "The Looming Tower". You may actually learn something about what you are talking about.

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Lets look at it this way, how many years has the US been looking for OBL, how much have they spent on the hunt for OBL, Ok you got him 10 years and billions of dollars later but was he really the head of AQ or was he more of a figurehead? 3. Has his assasination reduced the chances of terror attacksReally the US has if anything through its strategy made the world a more dangerous place rather than a safer one.

AdamB, like sushisake3, is disappointed that Osama bin Laden is dead.This monster was directly responsible for carrying out and or financing and facilitating mass murder in Tanzania, Kenya, the US, Iraq, India and Afghanistan.

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taka313: "The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat."

I'm sorry, but this statement clearly implies the writer believes the Bush Doctrine is still in effect, two years and three months after Bush left office. Having its author try and tell me I am putting words in his mouth is a bit like watching McCain's VP pick Caribou Barbi try and deflect and dissemble in her disastrous interview on the same subject with Charlie Rose in 2008.

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Lieberman2012,

"Oh, I generally seek to find the opinions of those most directly affected by events.There are of course other ways to study and interpret current affairs and history. NPR had a piece about the Afghan people's mostly positive reaction to the news of his assassination at the hands of our amazing special forces."

What are you talking about?

You said that OBL occupied Afghanistan pre 2001 and caused millions to go into exile. REALLY!!!! Dont know what history book thats in but l guess thats one way of looking at it HMMM. While the raid was a success you seem to be blowing smoke up your SF a bit much (how many raids have gone wrong over the years). Lets look at it this way, how many years has the US been looking for OBL, how much have they spent on the hunt for OBL, Ok you got him 10 years and billions of dollars later but was he really the head of AQ or was he more of a figurehead? Has his assasination reduced the chances of terror attacks

Really the US has if anything through its strategy made the world a more dangerous place rather than a safer one.

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It is interesting - Obama followed the Bush Doctrine in executing Osama bin Laden just as Bush followed the Clinton doctrine of 1998 that called for regime change in Iraq.

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"Just out of curiosity how do you figure this statement "an occupation of Afghanistan that sent millions into exile before 2001" you do realise that this was the Taliban not OBL and his organisation that where responsible for this and that the two are actually mutually exclussive not one and the same."

Oh, I generally seek to find the opinions of those most directly affected by events.There are of course other ways to study and interpret current affairs and history. NPR had a piece about the Afghan people's mostly positive reaction to the news of his assassination at the hands of our amazing special forces.

Also: Huffington Post (May 7 2011) "Afghan Taliban, Al Qaeda May Rethink Ties Now That Osama Bin Laden Is Dead, Say Analysts "

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Taka313: "The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat"

IOW - the so-called bush Doctrine is still in effect. (Just check the wording of that sentence above.) But bush left office over two years ago...

No, now you are scrambling and trying to put words into my mouth. President Obama does not obide by the bush doctrine.

That you couldn't figure this out yourself is kind of perplexing. But, I'm willing to go down into the weeds to explain it to you, if necessary.

Taka

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Taka313: "The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat"

IOW - the so-called Bush Doctrine is still in effect. (Just check the wording of that sentence above.) But Bush left office over two years ago...

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Lieberman2012,

Just out of curiosity how do you figure this statement "an occupation of Afghanistan that sent millions into exile before 2001" you do realise that this was the Taliban not OBL and his organisation that where responsible for this and that the two are actually mutually exclussive not one and the same.

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So here is the poster sushisake3 on another thread:

lonebeagle - "America was minding its own business when bin Laden decided to start a cowardly terrorist war against her." sushisake3 - "One of the funniest comments I've read on JT all month. :-)"

Do I detect a bit of cognitive dissonance here? Sushisake3 crows about Obama getting Osama but seems to indicate he also believes OBL's actions - the slaughter of thousands of innocents in Kenya, and on 9-11; and an occupation of Afghanistan that sent millions into exile before 2001 were somehow justifiable, or that characterization of these depredations in any other way is "funny," the funniest thing he has heard all month.

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What we are seeing is a President running for a second term of President of these United States. It's all politics..........

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You haven't predicted anything. You could have said 2 or 1.

No, in my head, I predicted that by the third post, someone would say something stupid about President Obama.

To later be able to claim the prediction, I typed "my prediction is three" on my first post.

You obliged me by posting something stupid about President Obama, thus making my prediction true.

Congratulations on figuring out the italics function though. Changes nothing, but you know, good for you. Gold star.

Taka

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"The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat"

LOL. Do you understand the meanings of the words you use?

"You made my prediction by the way. I said it would be 3."

You haven't predicted anything. You could have said 2 or 1.You simply confirm what poll after poll shows (and is reflected here as well) but what you,taking the lowest road possible, try to spin as 'racism' - that this president is a controversial and divisive figure.

Good on the president though for congratulating the assault team.

It is now time for him to act like a real leader and demand his radical AG,Eric Holder, call off the unwarranted inquests of CIA agents who engaged in a few cases of "enhanced iterrogations" we now know provided the actionable intel that has brought Obama the biggest success of his presidency; these inquests were nothing but little show trials he held to impress the loony far left.Can't have it both ways...

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Taka, on JT, denile isn't just a long river in Egypt. :-)

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A little clarity here: in having Osama Bin Laden killed in a raid where it was pre-determined the target would be killed on sight Obama signed on, with conviction, to the bush Doctrine.

The bush doctrine dictates that the U.S. will attack a country before they become an imminent threat.

President Obama ordered a military strike against a wanted terrorist. He did not order an attack against someone who might or might not be an imminent threat. Nice try at smearing President Obama by trying to tie him to the bush doctrine. Massive fail but nice try.

You made my prediction by the way. I said it would be 3. And by golly by the third post, we had someone posting nonsense about President Obama.

This site is getting pretty easy to predict.

Taka

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"It's just a pity that so few of his conservative countrymen can find it in themselves to thank their president for successfully accomplishing a mission the previous president gave up on so soon after 9-11."

I think the vast majority of Americans, of both parties, believe in giving credit to whom it is due: our special forces, the finest in the world.

A little clarity here: in having Osama Bin Laden killed in a raid where it was pre-determined the target would be killed on sight Obama signed on, with conviction, to the Bush Doctrine.

President Bush has been vindicated by his most vocal critic.

Us Democrats need to admit this inconvenient fact. Though it feels good knowing that once he signed on he did so in a spirit of kickass vengeance - - double-tap to the skull!

I too am glad that Bin Laden is dead but this assassination, along with the execution of Saddamm Hussein during Bush's term, adds a troubling new dimension to the office of president.It is strange to think that the next round of presidential debates might include questions to prospective nominees about willingness to take out a terrorist leader (Al Awlaki ,in Yemen, looks like the next) in extra-judicial fashion.

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"Obama thanks bin Laden assault team"

It's just a pity that so few of his conservative countrymen can find it in themselves to thank their president for successfully accomplishing a mission the previous president gave up on so soon after 9-11.

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I work on an Army base and there was a little consternation over the fact it was the Navy SEALs and not Delta Force. I'm enjoying being able to needle the Soldiers a bit.

My prediction is 3.

Taka

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