Is Osama bin Laden Really Dead?

Over the past five years there has been little evidence that Osama bin Laden was even alive, much less a threat to US security.

If he, the world's most wanted man so much as poked his head out of a cave you would have expected "we" the USA would have known. Yet is seems that he was not even hiding, rather living in plain sight.

While we can express our gratitude to Navy Seal Team VI, the CIA and Obama administration for avenging the death of so many Americans it really doesn't do a lot to change the world order or reduce the threat of terror attacks here in the United States or overseas.

Simply stated even with the "head of the snake" removed, terrorism will continue to be a threat to US and NATO interests.

Conspiracy Theory?

Forget Elvis, if Oswald acted alone, that the gold in Fort Knox may be non-existent, or if Area 51 has an alien spacecraft.

The action on Sunday night plays so well into conspiracy theory that it had to be expected.

Could it be that Obama staffers have embraced the crazies to help create the smoke screen? Create an issue to distract the world from the real issue?

Wag the Dog - Conrad 'Connie' Brean: "What difference does it make if it's true? If it's a story and it breaks, they're gonna run with it. "

Where is the evidence?

In the case of Sadamm Hussien we saw photos of his nearly decapitated body and a short while after his bungled hanging, a leaked cell phone video of his execution leaving little doubt of his death. The bodies of his sons were put on display as were many other "al qaeda" members over the years.

So why was Osama bin Laden's head not paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue on a pole?

The White House says it is concerned that releasing the photos of a dead Bin Laden would cause outrage and perhaps more attacks on the United States.

Understand this, there will be more attacks, and if we were so concerned about outrage we wouldn't have given a kill order on Bin Laden or a dozen other terrorists.

The body of well known bin laden number two Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was shown to the press and photos of his corpse published around the world, with little concern for repercussions.

The White House has explained that the photos were too grisly and horrific. Yet the beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was played over and over again. (Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was convicted of Pearl's beheading and sentenced to death is 2002 but is still alive living in you guessed it, Pakistan)

I'll guess those famous Iraq prison photos were just an oversight, yet it was the democrats demanded the Abu Ghraib photos be released.

More Contradictions

During the Seal Team raid the bodies of at least three men were left behind, again conflicting with White House statements that two were killed.







According to Pakistan officials no weapons were found with the 3 bodies above, though it is conceivable that the SEAL Team took the weapons.

The White House reported that Bin Laden used one of his wives as a human shield and she was killed. A fact later denied.

During Sunday night's address President Barack Obama heaped praise on Pakistan. “Our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden.”

But less than 12 hours later Leon Panetta admitted that the United States had deliberately not told Pakistan of the impending raid. That “could jeopardize the mission,” because Pakistan “might alert the targets.”

Cooperation or interference? Which is it?

The White House stated that Bin Laden engaged in firefight and was shot in the head twice, later changed to he was unarmed but resisted and was shot once in the chest and once in the head.

The White House explained that one helo suffered a mechanical failure and had to be blown up without being more forth coming that the helo in question was a "stealth" variant of MH-60 More about that from Army Times here. The White House also failed to disclose that the malfunction was the tail boom hitting the wall.

Obama said "two Blackhawk helicopters entered the compound" and that one developed a mechanical failure and the entire team departed in the one remaining Blackhawk with bin Laden's body.

The fact is that a Blackhawk can barley handle a squad with full gear, anyone whose tried it knows what I mean. Someone always ends up as a seat. So how do you put nearly 2 squads, that is 25 Navy Seals and a dead guy into one Blackhawk? A. It's not really a Blackhawk or B. There were more than "2". Again Contradictions.



Rush to Dispose of Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden's burial at sea made for the convenient disposal of his body. But what was the rush? The White House says it was so that no Islamic traditions were broken. The 24 hours window given in Koranic verses is widely understood to be a guide not an absolute. The NAVY splashed the corpse less than 12 hours after the hit was carried out.

Why before Bin Laden's body was dumped into the sea was not one independent source brought to view the body to at least say I saw the body and it was Bin Laden?

As far as the actual methods used, The White House insisted Monday that the burial was performed with respect to Islamic custom and that the administration had consulted with Islamic experts and decided beforehand how to handle bin Laden’s body. (Cedar's Take: So POTUS expected that Osama bin Laden would be killed? Again Contradiction) Answers to "Seven Questions" about the burial of bin Laden's body here.

Why a Kill Order?

The fact is that Osama bin Laden was worth more alive than dead. Alive he would serve as a testament to the fact that no one escapes justice from the United States of America. Dead he will simply go down in history at least for some, as a martyr. Knowing this fact why was he killed for simply resisting?

By the way there is no "fog of war" for NAVY Seals, they do precisely what the orders say. And understand this if the order was to take him alive he would be still breathing.

Obama Staffers Unprepared Short Sighted

As was displayed during the run up to Sunday's "show" White House staff was under pressure to produce a made for TV moment. Poorly prepared and one directional, Obama's address provided little except for displaying an incredible amount of hubris and political grandstanding.

Did anyone think through the use of the name Geronimo? The Apache leader as a code name for Osama bin Laden has appalled many Native Americans. The legendary warrior was known for his ability to walk without leaving footprints, allowing him to evade thousands of Mexican and U.S. soldiers, much like bin Laden evaded capture for nearly a decade.



But for Native Americans, there’s an important difference: Geronimo was a hero — not a terrorist. (Cedar's Take: Wouldn't the name "scumbag" worked just as well?)

In Washington, we expect the brightest stars are at work, people who have but one job to do and that is to think. Was anyone thinking? Why create controversy?

In the Obama administration's rush to claim credit and spin the story they clearly forgot the follow through and over looked much of the basics.

Celebration Carried A Little Too Far

Today Obama will make an appearance at Ground Zero, for another political photo op. Keep in mind that he'll have to do the same thing all over again in less than four months on the 1oth anniversary of 9/11. Again the message is I need the votes, and it really turns my stomach.

Bottom Line

Osama bin Laden is most assuredly dead. Yet, we are no safer today than we were a week ago. Islamic extremists will continue to fight against the alleged oppression of the occupying forces of the USA and because of a poorly conducted follow through the death of the world's most sought after fugitive will bring little closure or palatable satisfaction.

The US Navy Seals did their job, I would expect the commander in chief could at least show a little professionalism and stop trying to wag the dog.

Obama Demands Mosque For Ground Zero

Friday the 13th held to its reputation as an unlucky day, at least for Democrats, when President Barrack Obama demanded that a mosque be built in New York 200 yards from the edge of Ground Zero.

Obama's demand may be the fatal blow to many Democrates seeking re-election. Those who have recently advoided the issue are now on the hot seat, do they support once popular president or run for cover?

Citing millions of Islamic Americans (estimates range from 1.6 to 1.8 million Muslims live in the US) the president threw his support and weight behind an effort to build a mosque adjacent to our country's most hallowed ground.

White House Press Sectary Gibbs had previously stated it was a local matter, but President Obama stepped into the fray by going "all in" on Friday evening.

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York City and the nation.

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

Obama made the comments at an annual dinner in the White House State Dining Room celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Besides the obvious flash point for the likes of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh, President Obama has given Republicans added spears and arrows for November. Those Republicans challenging Democrats in the House and Senate races would be well advised to "not disturb the enemy while it is in the process of destroying itself".

Clearly the President has lost touch with America, his sudden loss of awareness would not be such a concern if this was a non-election year but Friday's major surprise shows just how poorly the current administration has planned for November.

A CNN poll released last night showed Americans are deeply offended by the prospect of a mosque being built in lower Manhattan with a 78% of those surveyed saying it was wrong.

But it is much more than a Mosque, it is a Muslim Community Center, a 100 million dollar project that will not only be tax exempt, but whose funding will be untackable. It is in community center like this, that the London Subway bombers were recruited.

Doesn't the President know who votes in non presidential elections? Middle America votes and it is often lead by seniors who don't understand why the President would back a group of Muslims intent on insulting the memory of those who died in the September 11 attacks.

According to the US Census 76% of the United States population is Christian while .06% Muslim. Why would the President adopt such an unpopular stance? What is next out of the Obama administration a national holiday for Malcolm X?

Muslims should be able to build a mosque anywhere they like, but within reason and there is no reason to build a mosque in Lower Manhattan and no reason for the president to support such an idea unless he is committed to furthering the Islamic cause.

You can read about the Park51 Islamic Community Center and Mosque here.

How close will the mosque be to the World Trade Center? Pretty darn close see the Google map here.

Obama's Redistribution Philosophy

I snagged this from on-line poster "Backlash" over at the Post and Courier.

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an 'Obama 08' tie, and again I laughed.



When the bill came I decided not to tip the server. He stood there in disbelief as I explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept and that I was going to redistribute his tip to the homeless guy outside. Boy, was my waiter pissed.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy the $10, and told him to thank the server inside.

Now the homeless guy was grateful, but I knew he'd never bother to thank the waiter.

So at the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment, I realized the homeless guy was a little grateful for the money he did not earn but he'd never change his panhandling way and the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn, and will more than likely give me bad service the next time I have lunch at the same restaurant.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Parting Shot

Happy Halloween Everyone! See Ya Tuesday!

All Glory is Fleeting

A stiff cold breeze blows across the Charleston harbor this morning. Over the weekend Navy fell to 4 and 3, The Bulls Dogs lost to Furman and Boston came oh so close to ending the year with another league championship.

The agony of defeat, the pain of coming so far and falling short. The Red Sox had a great year but it was not to be, but it was always within reach, just oh so close.

But the news that you'll read this morning is not of weather or sports teams who in the fleeting moments of the season or game saw their destiny change, it's about the all but decided Presidential election. Colin Powell gave his nod to Barrack Obama, pundits across the nation painted state after state blue and John McCain told supporters he loves being the underdog.



Makes me wonder if Richard Nixon had being the underdog on his mind when he gave his famous "checkers" speech. John McCain is almost right, but he's not the underdog he's more like under the BIG DOG.

There reaches a point where being in denial and standing brave in the face of enemy fire is no longer the sign of a hero or true patriot, it's the sign of utter stupidity. A poorly run campaign since the Republican Convention the McCain Camp has stumbled, again and again while consistently failing to capitalize of Obama's most obvious flaw, his total lack of experience.

The Republican base is just as clueless, rallying around Sarah Palin and attending $5,000.00 a plate diners at Kiawah Island's Sanctuary resort. The wealthy and powerful have forgotten the first rule of the kingdom, that all glory is fleeting.

I really believe that with Barrack Obama in The White House and a Democrat controlled House and Senate we will turn back progress at least forty years, and that doesn't take into account the current economic foolishness.

George W's legacy will not be his response to 911 but the 8 years of missteps and disasters that led to a landslide presidential victory for the dems that swept a dozen Senate and two dozen House Republican seats with it. The Republicans have been out of touch for the last 8 years and they will pay the price.

And as for John McCain, well come election night he'll gather staffers and friends and of course Cindy and daughter Megan, and no doubt Sarah Palin as well and watch what he already knows come to be. And in the presence of these very attractive women he'll find solice in the depths of defeat as he reminds himself "I may not be president but it's good to be king" and then he'll whisper a subtle reminder for Barrack Obama as well....

"Remember that All Glory is Fleeting".

"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."

Footnote:

Former Secretary of State James Baker was once asked what was the most important thing he had learned while in Washington and he replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting.

Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration.

"There he was alone; no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."