I decided to abstain from the poll; I don't trust many lawmakers from Planet Utah (particularly junior Senator Mike Lee), and Jason Chaffetz--whom I don't particularly like--doesn't represent my congressional district. Not that I need it, but his word would probably be good...

Bin Laden is dead, period, and even though I'm a teetotaler, I propose a toast...

We raise up a glass to Barack H. Obama,

The hole in the ocean was plugged,

And likewise Osama.

In memory of Ogden Nash,

SLC

I believe the "death pix" 1. be seen by the families most effected; 2. be seen by House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees; 3. After 5 years, the general public. I believe it is disrespectful for the families not to be given or allowed the opportunity (should they desire closure) to view the dead man who condemned their loved one(s) to death. I also believe it is reprehensible the government servants of the People have selected themselves for such a viewing w/o consideration of the Americans who lost loved ones or their need for closure. Shame on you all!

Let us vote the Republican Party out of existence. A nice thought considering the fact this political party does not represent nor benefit the American majority, but why could this wishful thinking never become reality; because Americans still vote for these candidates in our democracy. Therefore, why do Americans still vote for these self serving politicians? Racist views; religious beliefs; misplaced loyalties; stubbornness; and downright ignorance still held by a shrinking minority place these politicians into powerful positions in our government. MSNBC—which I watch religiously—rather than present a Fox network "fair and balanced" view, informs intelligently with meticulous accuracy to whoever tunes into the liberal network, but occasionally defends our President with such fervor that they risk blind loyalties as well. Facts and history should remain MSNBC's basis for reporting; George W. Bush spoke shortly after our traumatic 9-11 incident claiming Osama Bin Laden executed the attack on our nation without showing any evidence other than a questionable audio tape where he "bragged" of the accomplishment. This claim immediately launched the single largest hate campaign against anyone or anything since Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. Bin Laden's demise is probably well deserved for deeds and hate against our nation, but we will never know the truth of 9-11 because a key witness is no more—the torture derived Guantanamo confession does not count. Our current President Obama certainly deserves the glory and the credit for this execution as any prosecutor would, but as with any criminal trial ultimately discovering the truth serves justice. When did we Americans; we the good guys; we the first to point out neighbors human rights abuse; execute the accused without a trial; claim torture legal; imprison without trial; and all the other nonsense that degrades our very fabric that made us all proud to be Americans? Granted, the previous administration is to be blamed for much of our national social de-evolution, but this does not mean we have to keep sliding into another decaying Roman Empire model. All of you at MSNBC are probably the last vestige of progressive direction for our nation, but please—when current circumstances allow—point out our nation's missteps as well; it is easy to adopt the opposition's tactics in order to defend our embattled President. Otherwise, good job guys and gal!

Danny, during World War II, our country, on the basis of intelligence information gleaned from codebreakers who deciphered Japanese communiqués, intercepted and shot down the bomber aircraft carrying Admiral Yamamoto, the Japanese officer who'd orchestrated the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

It was a cold-blooded killing, but the precedent is clear that those who engage in unprovoked attacks make themselves legitimate targets of vengeance... Note that we did hold a trial for the Japanese Prime Minister, Tojo, who was hanged in 1948 as a war criminal..

(type http: into your browser window and then copy-and-paste the rest of this to view)

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto

As for the torture and civil rights violations engaged in by the Bush Administration (which I condemn), it must be remembered that political realities are operative, even for President Obama, and it's doubtful Bush & Cheney and company will be hauled before any bar of justice ever.

Part of their punishment took place last weekend when their incompetence was essentially exposed, and the rest will occur when history lists Bush and Buchanan as co-holders of the title of "Worst U.S. Presidents" ever. Well, of course there's also Warren G. Harding...

And you might read more authentic U.S. History before singing our country's praises too loudly; we are a work in progress, that's all, and our treatment of Afro-Americans and Native Americans isn't all that wonderful; Most of Europe outlawed slavery before we did...

There will always be scandals, and there needs to be a strong and independent free press and at least a two-party system to keep the other's excesses in check..

And we know what happened on 9-11 despite what the conspiracy cranks insist...

This would make a killer calendar, I hear theres 19 photos and with the seal team, what a opportunity and the proceeds can go to BO's campaign.

With all the BS credit the Rabid right have tried to steal, you may have just given them an idea.

The raid that resulted in the killing of Osama Bin Laden was botched. Plain and simple. Bin Laden should have never been killed, he should have been captured and tried in a court of law. How does the USA espouse democracty and the rule of law when we constantly violate it whenever it is deemed expedient? Both the wars we are now in are in violation of the UN Charter - a document we signed as a nation and an organization that we fostered on the world. Had the US have not championed it, the UN would have never come into existance. Bin Laden attacked us - not a country and according to the UN charter, a NATION has to express the intention to attack us and have a standing force of sufficient strength to actually do it. Ask yourself which of the two nations we are presently at war did - or had - either?

This raid also left behind volumes of information - all of which should have been retrieved as a matter of course, to say nothing of all people in the compound. Now we have to beg and barter for information and people left behind? Bin Laden was killded - unfortunate really, but what is really unfortunate is that it was announced shortly after the fact, before any of the information that was gained could be processed and those involved arrested or detained. In other words, before we could effectively put a stop his organization, at least for a while. Now every minion of Bin Laden is in hiding, because we warned them through our ineptitude!

I find it incredible that this is so and that no one in any media that I can find, finds it curious that Bin Laden is killed a week before Obama announches his run for a second term and shortly before the candidate debates start. Come on - who do you think you are fooling, Mr. Obama? Wake up news agencies and start doing some RESEARCH and IN DEPTH REPORTING!~

=M=

First off, the difference between killing Yamamoto and Bin Laden is that the death of Yamamoto was an act of war, in a DECLARED WAR. Neither of the countries we are at war with now have declared war on us, nor are they capable of carrying out such a threat, were it made. This violates the US signing of the UN Charter, an organization what we fostered and that probably would not have come into existance if we had not championed it to the world. Now we violate the charter, whenever we feel like it and go to war without declaring war, to get around it.

Bin Laden's death, was by definition, murder. He had no country and was just a terrorist. He should have been arrested and tried in an international court. Instead, we just marched in and killed him as a matter of course. Don't bother to tell me that he was armed. There is a ton of technology that could have disarmed a single man with a weapon. How does the US have the gall to espouse democracy and the rule of law and order, when we do as we please, when we please and ignore laws that we have passed ourselves?

Second, we leave a lot of intelligence and even people behind? In a military operation, intelligence is paramount and NOTHING is left behind, unless the operation is botched, as was this one.

What did we achieve? We killed one man who thumbed his nose at us and was directly responsible for the death of thousands. We did it outside of our own laws and left vital information behind - information that could have potentially crippled or eliminated terrorism worldwide - at least for a while. Now all of Bin Laden's people have been warned and are deep underground. And they are venerating or cannonizing this clown and using his death to incite more attacks. Not what I call a success!

Is it just me, or is the timing a bit sketchy? A week before Obama announces his run for a second term, at a time that his approval rating is in the basement and a week or so before the candidates debate? Please - do you think we are just a bunch of idiots out here, Mr. President?

And you news media - talking heads is a perfect appelation for you all. Not one of you have mentioned any of this in the media. Whatever happened to IN DEPTH REPORTING and RESEARCH - ever hear of it?

=M= in Oregon

Lib Slayer,

Hey - at least I sign my name to my post and don't hide behind a trite little made up name. Bet you draw mustaches on women's pictures too. Instead of getting personal, why not disabuse me of what you consider to be my ignorance by refuting what I've got to say about the botched raid and the political ramifications of same? I'll try to use smaller words next time - so that you will understand.

=M=