In many respects the death of Osama Bin Laden today appears to be a great blow for international terrorism and . It might be said to be direct justice for the thousands of innocent deaths that have occurred as a result of his actions. However, and I imagine some of you will just think me a loony liberal for this, the whole affair just doesn't sit right with me. In fact I'm not convinced that this is truly justice at all.
I cannot help but find the reaction of people outside the White House after the announcement distasteful. Cheering, celebrating, and chanting "USA, USA, USA" all because of a man's death. It's immoral, it's distasteful and it makes us seem no better or more civilised than the terrorist hordes we claim to be fighting. It's not as if Bin Laden's death will bring an end to the "War on Terror". In fact, it may well make things worse.
I also cannot help but feel that President Obama, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize no less, should not have directed "Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of Bin Laden the top priority of our war against al-Qaeda". Surely he should have asked for his capture, with killing only if he would otherwise have escaped? Since when has it been morally acceptable for the United States to order summary executions?
Other words uttered by Obama upset me further: "Indeed, al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity." As far as I am concerned the demise of anybody at the hands of armed forces acting on the initiative of a single nation, extrajudicially, has nothing to do with peace or human dignity. Whilst it may be correct that Bin Laden's organisation slaughtered thousands of innocents, is he not entitled to be tried before the international community for his crimes? Indeed are we, the people of the world, not entitled to see him tried for his crimes? Would it not have been better to expose him to worldwide condemnation and ridicule, to have him metaphorically torn to shreds at the International Court of Justice rather than to allow him to be made a martyr at the hands of the very forces of the west which the Islamists so loathe. A martyrdom which may well strengthen the resolve of Al-Qaeda and others still further to destroy us. (Just look at the massive stepping up of security in the wake of this killing.)
Even if you believe that this should be a time of celebration, I ask you to at least consider the following. Obama talks about "justice for all" as part of the founding principles of the United States. If this is indeed true, then why did he, his administration and that US military team deny Bin Laden, and the world, true justice? Why did they grant him the death he no doubt wanted so easily and deny us all the opportunity for a more thorough retribution?
