Opportunity Lost?

     The successful operation that resulted in the death of Bin Laden is the high point and greatest moment of the Obama presidency (and there is no close second).  Even a politician with whom we seldom agree deserves a pat on the back when there is a genuine accomplishment and the killing of Bin Laden certainly qualifies.  So consider this that pat on the back Mr. President. 

     With that said, why did we feel it necessary to immediately disclose the success of our mission?  Today there are reports all over the news networks about how the CIA is feverishly working to analyze the "treasure trove" of information recovered from the Bin Laden compound before the cockroaches scatter.  Would it not have been better to wait a couple of days to announce the raid?  The items gathered in the compound could have been analyzed and perhaps acted upon before the entire world knew that the information was in CIA hands.  It is possible that word of the raid would not have spread quickly.  After all, there was no phone or Internet connection at the compound so no one would become concerned that Osama had not called or emailed.  And the Pakistanis would probably not have been in any hurry to publicize the raid since the news paints them as either harboring the world's most wanted terrorist or being horribly incompetent.  So we could have had valuable time to maximize our use of the information obtained.

     Another interesting point that has been touched upon by some news outlets and predictably not touched upon by others is the possibility that the initial information that led to the killing of Bin Laden was developed through "enhanced interrogation" methods (read water boarding and sleep deprivation).  If that is the case, is it possible that the terrorists subjected to these techniques would not have given up Bin Laden's couriers in the absence of such techniques?  Back during the Bush Presidency the initial line of the left criticizing water boarding, sleep deprivation and the like was that these techniques are tantamount to torture.  I'm not sure that this ever gained much traction outside of those who think the prisoner experience should be substantially similar to spending time at a Sandals resort (ok maybe not Sandals but one of those crappy all inclusives where booze is not included).  Most folks recognize the difference between keeping someone awake for a long time and having your finger nails pulled out one by one with pliers.  So when the torture argument lost traction, the argument became that the information obtained this way is not reliable.   Well, it would seem that at least in this instance it lead to the death of the most wanted man in the world.   With a result such as this, we would be fools to jettison such tools without more consideration. 

    Thanks for stopping by and let us know what you think.
                                
                                                                                  --Hand


"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
                                                                                               -- Thomas Jefferson