5/02/2011

Local Reactions To The News Of Bin Laden's Demise

Listening and reading the reactions of Americans to the news of Osama bin Laden's demise at the hands of US Navy SEALS has been enlightening.

The local TV station here in New Hampshire reported on many of those reactions. Most were positive, meaning they were glad bin Laden had been brought to justice. A few said they took no joy in his death, but understood it. But one stood out, mainly for his total lack of understanding of the situation, labeling Osama's death as “an assassination.”

"You hate to see somebody get away with something this downright evil, but two wrongs don't make a right," said Bob Whyman, of Manchester. "In a way, I was sorry to hear he was dead."

Apparently Mr. Whyman didn't understand that the SEAL mission was not a police action. It was a combat mission in a long running war against someone who had openly waged war against the US. He was given the opportunity to surrender but chose death instead. It was by no means an assassination. Bin Laden was a legitimate target and was taken down within the Rules of Engagement. That he chose to die rather than be captured was his decision, period.

I have to wonder if Mr. Whyman was one of those Leftist whiners who considered the attacks on the US back on September 11th, 2001 as justified because somehow we were at fault for all the barbarism displayed over the years by Muslim extremists. Somehow it wouldn't surprise me to find out that was the case. Thank goodness he is in the minority on this one.