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retaliation will only make bin laden a martyr

19:08 / 12.09.01

Sure you guys realize that one really shitty aspect of this whole situation is that if the attacks were initiated by Osama bin Laden, who is a religious zealot (and obviously his followers could wear that label as well), then, if the U.S. or somebody else, kills him, it will only make him into a martyr for his cause, which will only strengthen the resolve of his remaining followers, and probably mean even more attacks. One COULD say that the only way to assure that this group never does this sort of thing again would be to TAKE THEM ALL OUT! But that's a response on the level of genocide almost (mind you, I'm not saying ALL Muslims, or those of Islamic faith, only bin Laden "Afghan Veterans" or whatever he's calling them these days). But, a response of that kind is exactly what bin Laden has accused the U.S. of perpetrating in the past (i.e., Hiroshima and Nagaski). I personally don't believe in life prison sentences, because I pay taxes, but this man's death would only elevate his status in the eyes of his followers, so, where does that leave us?

19:13 / 12.09.01

...well I think everyone who's going to be making these decisions are weighing everything out...beyond the situations that have led up to this happening. Is it better that he won't be able to give more orders if he's dead or wait and see for another incident?

19:57 / 12.09.01

I think more attacks are going to come regardless. Believe me, I'm as outraged as anybody, I'd love to see an American soldier step out of some smoking building in the mid East with bin Laden's head on a stick, but if that happens, then look, we've just created the new Jesus for these people! Like I said, and I'm not really advocating this either, what if the only way to stop them is to take them all out? It would solve the immediate problem, yes, but in effect, it would make us everything bin Laden has said we are. Are nukes the answer? If he's in Agfhganistan, and they know it, and we prove he's responsible, and they still won't turn him over, would our govt feel justified bringing down the full wrath of the US on an entire country? And if so, what would our allies around the world think of us then? It might give them, and everybody else, the idea that you better not f@#k with America or it's people, 'cause we're not going to take it anymore. Would that be a bad thing?

20:47 / 12.09.01

Yes. Then you'd be a citizen of the largest terrorist country in the world.

Remember - for now, nobody knows who's responsible. These questions are moot until that's discovered.

The Return Of Rothkoid

20:55 / 12.09.01

I remember seeing, somewhere, yesterday, a quote attributed to bin Laden (I think) that said, roughly, "It doesn't matter if they kill Osama bin Laden, there are several Osama bin Ladens." - surely he's merely the most known of a cluster of extremists?