Seymour Hersh: Story About Killing Osama Bin Laden is One Big Lie

[demwing]

231. Romulox, I know you can't reply...but at least consider the following

You think bin Laden could have information that would reveal some truths about 9/11.

Not sure what truths you're looking for, but think for a moment. Is OBL the sort that would have negotiated such information for his peaceful and protected surrender?

If he was, why didn't he? He had plenty of opportunity...

What if we offered him entry into some sort of international witness relocation program. Was OBL the type that would have sold out his allies for some cash and a new identity?

Doubtful for two reasons:

1. He had wealth, and gave it up for his hate. He was willing to make personal sacrifices. He lived in a cave, and then in a complex from which he never left. No indication given that we had anything to offer him that he valued.

2. He was the leader of a movement populated with radical extremists willing to kill for him and die for him. What a power trip!

Sell out and you piss off all those jihadis you previously inspired. That's bad juju, sure to reduce your life expectancy.

Death at the hands of Americans, on the other hand, elevates him to the status of martyr (and oh! BTW Mr. Bin Laden, say hello to your heavenly virgins!).

OBL had no reason to cooperate. The only way we would ever get him to speak is through torture. Of course, whatever information came from that torture would be unreliable. People will eventually say just about anything to stop the torture, right?

Not to mention that torture is a war crime.