BIN LADEN: JUSTICE, NOT ASSASSINATION

I have long held that terrorists are not warriors against whom we can declare “war,” and their leaders are neither politicians, heads of state, religious leaders nor even military leaders (as some have said), they are criminals. They are the Hannibal Lecters of the international scene and, like the fictional Lecter, should be hunted down, arrested, tried and sentenced. Like Lecter, though, there is no blame attached to police who kill the suspect in a shootout and risk their lives in the process.

Today, questions are being raised by some about the legitimacy of Bin Laden’s “assassination.” Let’s be clear. Assassination involves those same politicians, heads of state and religious leaders, as agreed upon by international treaties and conventions, and should be illegal under international law. “Seal Team 6” was not a “hit squad” assassinating anyone. They were U.S. “policemen” sent to arrest the mass murderer, Osama Bin Laden. If they could have captured him, they would have. Let’s face it, what greater source of information could we have about Al Qaeda than Bin Laden. In fact, it is tempting to invent scenarios where he was only reported killed but is secretly being spirited away to Guantanamo Bay where he will be subjected to “aggressive” interrogation techniques. I’m sure we’ll see conspiracy theorists reach those conclusions soon and their books not far behind.

In the end, the crowds cheering “USA, USA, USA . . .” are both right and wrong. This has been a victory for the USA because it clearly signals that if you attack us, you can run but you can’t hide. We will find you no matter how long it takes. In a larger sense, however, the real chant should be, “Justice, Justice, Justice . . .” A victory, not just for the USA, but for the rule of law.