Sunday, May 08, 2011

American Lawlessness

Beyond the apparent indifference to how this killing took place, what has also surprised me somewhat is the lack of interest in trying to figure out how the bin Laden killing fits into broader principles and viewpoints about state power and the War on Terror. I've seen people who have spent the last decade insisting that the U.S. must accord due process to accused Terrorists before punishing them suddenly mock the notion that bin Laden should have been arrested and tried.


My sentiments, as well. Glad OBL is gone, but I just can't get my head around how it came down.

6 comments:

Arno said...

Lawlessness, indeed. Even a layman can (should) see this.

Arno said...

That's not to say, though that there might be big problems with the crazy modern spectacle of having him in custody, trying him, etc. Can't wrap my little ol' mind around it, either.

Carrie said...

A spectacle is a spectacle. Was OJ's trial a spectacle? You betcha! And even though most of us in the sane world know he killed Nicole, did anyone think it would have been ok to just outright kill him rather than old a trial, etc.? Not to say I am comparing OJ to a quote terrorist unquote, but his trial was a spectacle, and I don't see that as any reason no to follow the LAW. But, nowadays, in American leadership (and in some peoples' minds) it is ok to have one rule for certain people, and a different rule for others.

I don't believe our Constitution allows for that ...

Arno said...

Well put, there.
"...laws, not men.."
Reason, not emotion.

Bob said...

Someone wrote,regarding all the crowing that we got bin Laden's computer, "The most important data was in Osama's head and they put a bullet through it ..."

Carrie said...

Well put, Bob. How do we differentiate us as Americans if all we do these days is openly aggressively support terror activities, in the name of terror? I am ashamed, and I join the Dixie Chicks in their statement of "embarrasement" regarding GWB back in the day. Wild, wild west ... or constitutional democracy? You tell me.