Let me first say up front that OBL deserved to die without a trial, without representation by government paid Leftist lawyers, without necessary delays or appeals of any judicial verdict of death, without the government paying for his room and halal meals for the ten or twelve years that the case would wind through the legal system.
This is exactly what "Seal Team Six" (hereinafter "STS"), also known affectionately as "Cheney's Death Squad" feared. Whether following orders from the White House, or acting within their loosely defined Rules of Engagement, members of the United States military entered the compound of OSB with the intent to kill. Not "Kill or Capture", but to terminate OBL "with extreme prejudice."
At last count, there have been at least 26 corrections to the timeline or the facts regarding "Operation Geronimo." As a student of politics and the military, the most interesting correction regarded the prior statement that the group of suits, spooks and military in the Situation Room were watching a live feed in real time of the operation as it unfolded. See:
http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/05/good-grief-now-the-cia-admits-there-was-no-live-video-feed-during-osama-raid/ Leon Panetta, director of the CIA, revealed there was a 25 minute blackout during which the live feed from cameras mounted on the helmets of the US special forces was cut off.
A photograph released by the White House appeared to show the President and his aides in the situation room watching the action as it unfolded. In fact they had little knowledge of what was happening in the compound.
Mr Panetta said: “Once those teams went into the compound I can tell you that there was a time period of almost 20 or 25 minutes where we really didn’t know just exactly what was going on. And there were some very tense moments as we were waiting for information.
If you are a member of an elite team tasked with the termination of America's Number One Enemy, why would you want a live feed of the operation beamed back to the White House? This, in light of the fact that the White House has not been very kind in its treatment of your brothers-in-arms thrown under the bus in the Global War on Terror. (See: Seal Charged with Assault
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2009/11/25/navy-seals-face-assault-charges-capturing-wanted-terrorist/ )
The White House and NSA Boob John Brennan were quick to inform the media that the brave seals encountered resistance from OBL's bodyguards. Now, after some backtracking, Jay Carney says the STS met armed resistance from two bodyguards who were in the Guest house on the ground floor. There was not another shot fired by anyone inside the compound, other than the STS. When the Team reached the third floor where OBL was sleeping, the first reports stated that he was killed "while resisting." Although not an independent witness without obvious bias, OBL's daughter claims that the STS members shot him in front of the family and then dragged his body off to a helicopter. Now answer me this: Is this the kind of action the STS would want to be sent back to the Situation Room via live feed. Not no, HELL NO!
The STS members had to be aware of the ramifications of video tape. After all, the CIA officers who utilized harsh (but proper and legal) interrogation techniques on detainees at GITMO were almost punished for destroying tape of the interrogations. The "interruption" of the live feed from multiple helmet cams to the Situation Room in the White House for the critical twenty-five minute period was not an accident.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328402/CIA-punished-destroying-tapes-waterboarding-interrogations.htmlThe only legitimate question that remains to be answered is whether the White House or command on the ground limited the mission to "Kill on Sight" rather than "Kill or Capture." I believe the question must be answered in the light that protects the STS. I believe that the command on the ground cut the link to the live feed to the White House, and ordered the STS to terminate OBL with "Extreme Prejudice."
I have no problem with that.
See also:
http://www.bookwormroom.com/2011/05/04/the-navy-seals-were-great-its-the-white-house-thats-bungling-the-operation/#comments