Sunday 8 May 2011

Obama Vs Osama












These two names are distinguished only by the substitution of two letters "b" and "s ".

Given the amount of bullshit created by this event, it's somehow appropriate.

First of all, we have the "controversy" generated by the non-release of the photos of his corpse. The Right in the USA find it hard to accept that the Obama administration has actually succeeded in killing OBL, so they're trawling to develop a critical meme.

The non-release of the pics, and the varying stories about the detail of the raid is the best they can do - so they're obviously pretty desperate. Bolt's reaction is a good example of sour grapes.

There are plenty of people out there who believe that the moon landings never took place, despite the plethora of videos and photos available, so the release of some grainy shots won't keep them happy. On the other hand, why should the Yanks emulate the behaviour of the lunatic Islamic fringe by posting gruesome images, unless it be to inflame them further?

There has been a fair bit of misquoting of words from Martin Luther King about rejoicing in some one's death  (even some one as vile as OBL).

What King said from "A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther Kiing Jr" - is:   

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction … The chain reaction of evil-hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars — must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.

He’s absolutely correct, of course, and a gung-ho militaristic reaction (rather than a measured response) to asymmetric warfare is what sustains terrorism.

The current US administration has managed this situation well, in not releasing the photos – unnecessary now that Al Qaida has acknowledged his death – but they stuffed up somewhat in relation to the release of information about the raid. It reminds me eerily of “children overboard”, in that the great efforts of the military get twisted by the political spin machine.

Having said that, Obama had the guts to authorise the mission. Given the history of Carter’s debacle in Iran, that can’t have been easy. The Right’s assertion that he’s weak when it comes to military action now looks pretty lame.

The reaction of the Ratbag Right (here and in the USA) is funny. Obama's success where GWB failed has them in knots. Hence the bullshit referred to above.

Hilarious.....

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