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Legion, I guess everyone has to think through his/her ideas about justice, about war, about “just” war (if you think there is one…I do) about military action in this context, about protection vs justice and/or vengence. I think about this in terms of capital punishment too. I remember John Paul II saying something once in the context of capital punishment (and it extends to the concept of just war). The first goal in terms of capital punishment or war is protection of the innocent. We can never claim to be all wise about justice. But we can do our best to protect ourselves and other innocent people. And that is noble and necessary.
Anyone who doesn’t want to believe, isn’t going to believe. They’ll claim DNA evidence or dental records were doctored, just like they’ll make that claim about photos.
I’m cracking up at the idea that some John Q Public yahoo sitting in an armchair watching the evening news is more qualified to pass on whether bin laden is dead by viewing a photograph of a dead face with a hole in it than a scientist doing a DNA analysis. Or the CIA.
“Oh sure, the CIA says he’s dead but give me a few minutes with a grainy polaroid and I’ll tell you whether they’re right or not.”
I think you should leave all of our parents out of this discussion.
Aren’t we being a little bit naive here?
There are “truthers” still convinced that Bush painted
nano-Thermite all over the World Trade Center steel supports and colluded with the Saudi’s to get us to pay more for oil.
We’re speaking to the masses in the middle east who would look at a DNA report from a laboratory and say they just photocopied a report from his sister the musician.
I’m in the group that doesn’t need more proof,
unfortunately, the World will demand it.
bfarwell, DNA evidence is sufficient for me. I don’t need to see a photograph. My initial comment today was based on the assumption that DNA testing had not yet been done and there was no other evidence provided at the time.
Now I’m just waiting for evidence to prove that Gordon Lightfoot is still alive!
I’m cracking up at the idea that some John Q Public yahoo sitting in an armchair watching the evening news is more qualified to pass on whether bin laden is dead by viewing a photograph of a dead face with a hole in it than a scientist doing a DNA analysis. Or the CIA.
“Oh sure, the CIA says he’s dead but give me a few minutes with a grainy polaroid and I’ll tell you whether they’re right or not.”
I only meant that as a factoid (and to invoke Godwin’s Law). I agree that the Government should offer some sort of proof, and I believe they will. I don’t think they’ll release bloody pictures of him, though, as that would only incite a large portion of the Muslim world.
As for a “shoot to kill” order, I don’t think that was ever a serious consideration, as bin Laden was never going to let himself be taken alive, and he was actively engaged in the firefight in which he died.
Legion, I guess everyone has to think through his/her ideas about justice, about war, about “just” war (if you think there is one…I do) about military action in this context, about protection vs justice and/or vengence. I think about this in terms of capital punishment too. I remember John Paul II saying something once in the context of capital punishment (and it extends to the concept of just war). The first goal in terms of capital punishment or war is protection of the innocent. We can never claim to be all wise about justice. But we can do our best to protect ourselves and other innocent people. And that is noble and necessary.
Anyone who doesn’t want to believe, isn’t going to believe. They’ll claim DNA evidence or dental records were doctored, just like they’ll make that claim about photos.
I think too many people saw Wag the Dog
By lechacal on May 2, 2011 1:36 PM
I’m cracking up at the idea that some John Q Public yahoo sitting in an armchair watching the evening news is more qualified to pass on whether bin laden is dead by viewing a photograph of a dead face with a hole in it than a scientist doing a DNA analysis. Or the CIA.
“Oh sure, the CIA says he’s dead but give me a few minutes with a grainy polaroid and I’ll tell you whether they’re right or not.”
I think you should leave all of our parents out of this discussion.
bfarwell and lechacal,
Aren’t we being a little bit naive here?
There are “truthers” still convinced that Bush painted
nano-Thermite all over the World Trade Center steel supports and colluded with the Saudi’s to get us to pay more for oil.
We’re speaking to the masses in the middle east who would look at a DNA report from a laboratory and say they just photocopied a report from his sister the musician.
I’m in the group that doesn’t need more proof,
unfortunately, the World will demand it.
bfarwell, DNA evidence is sufficient for me. I don’t need to see a photograph. My initial comment today was based on the assumption that DNA testing had not yet been done and there was no other evidence provided at the time.
Now I’m just waiting for evidence to prove that Gordon Lightfoot is still alive!
I’m cracking up at the idea that some John Q Public yahoo sitting in an armchair watching the evening news is more qualified to pass on whether bin laden is dead by viewing a photograph of a dead face with a hole in it than a scientist doing a DNA analysis. Or the CIA.
“Oh sure, the CIA says he’s dead but give me a few minutes with a grainy polaroid and I’ll tell you whether they’re right or not.”
People just want to see his dead body for fun.
^^^^^^
I only meant that as a factoid (and to invoke Godwin’s Law). I agree that the Government should offer some sort of proof, and I believe they will. I don’t think they’ll release bloody pictures of him, though, as that would only incite a large portion of the Muslim world.
As for a “shoot to kill” order, I don’t think that was ever a serious consideration, as bin Laden was never going to let himself be taken alive, and he was actively engaged in the firefight in which he died.
“A shot-in-the-eye photo is less ‘evidence’ and more prurient voyeuristic get-your-rocks-off bs.”
Well, this is America. People watch Celebrity Apprentice for just the same sort of voyeuristic train wreckage.