Obama took 16 hours to make up his mind about Bin Laden mission...

[posty 2,296]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383010/Osama-Bin-Laden-dead-Obama-took-16-hours-make-mind.html

 

Barack Obama kept military commanders hanging by declaring he would 'sleep on it' before taking 16 hours to give the go-ahead to raid Bin Laden's compound.

 

Hit squads of specialist Navy Seals - who were not even told who they were preparing to capture - had practised the mission at two reconstructions of the terror chiefs sprawling compound.

 

The mission looked set to be given the all clear last Thursday when analysts confirmed beyond doubt that Bin Laden was in busy town of Abbottabad in northern Pakistan.

 

But the president stunned officials when he told a national security meeting that he wanted more time to think - and disappeared out of the room.

 

'I'm not going to tell you what my decision is now - I'm going to go back and think about it some more,' said Obama, according to the New York Times. He then added 'I'm going to make a decision soon.'

 

The head of the CIA and other senior intelligence officers who were keen to proceed were left tense as they waited for the president's decision.

 

But the next morning after 16 hours, Obama summoned four top aides to the White House Diplomatic Room. Before they could speak, the president put his fist on the table and declared 'It's a go'.

 

With those three words, the greatest military operation in recent history began. Had it not been for heavy cloud cover on Saturday, troops would have been deployed then.

 

But they waited another day, and reached Pakistan just before midnight on Sunday evening. Obama refused to tell Pakistan about the mission in case it was leaked by jihadist sympathisers within the administration and Bin Laden took flight.

 

Luckily, the four U.S. helicopters were not detected by Pakistan's military who would have been quick to take action against the uninvited aircrafts.

 

After a 40-minute raid, the details of which are still emerging, Bin Laden was declared dead having received a bullet to the brain.

 

Millions of U.S. citizens still scarred by the atrocities of September 11 took to the streets to celebrate news that the world's most wanted terrorists had been killed.

 

Obama received a rousing standing ovation from his own party and political rivals alike yesterday as American's rejoiced in the defeat of Osama Bin Laden.

 

President Obama retold to members of Congress details of the skilled mission that claimed the head of the world's most wanted terrorist.

 

And for a moment rising gas prices, high unemployment and future economic concerns were forgotten as his 2012 re-election campaign received a massive boost.

 

Upon hearing Bin Laden's name, lawmakers of both parties interrupted the president with a standing ovation and whistles.

 

The moving applause came as scenes of celebration and reflection unfolded across the U.S. where citizens have longed for the Al Qaeda leader to be slain.

 

In Washington, hundreds of people continued to celebrate outside the White House after Obama had said earlier that the world was now 'a safer place'.

 

Baseball players in a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox paused for a moment of silence before the match.

 

But perhaps the most emotional scenes were in New York, where memories of the 9/11 atrocity that shocked the world are still vivid.

 

Thousands of peoplemarked the occasion by converging at Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Centre that was destroyed by Bin Laden's attack.

 

The mood of euphoria continued across the country as Obama gave a speech at a White House dinner and urged colleagues to 'harness some of that unity'.

 

At the event for members of Congress, Obama acknowledged past disagreements and predicted future ones. But he said bin Laden's demise was a reminder that what the country can achieve transcends party labels.

 

'Last night, as Americans learned that the United States had carried out an operation that resulted in the capture and death of Osama bin Laden, I think we experienced the same sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11,' he said, urging that the spirit continue.

 

Among the Republicans who rose to their feet were House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Obama has been sharply critical of Ryan's 2012 budget plan.

 

'We were reminded again that there is a pride in what this nation stands for and what we can achieve that runs far deeper than party, far deeper than politics,' Obama said.

 

Obama said he knows the unity that permeated the country after the September 11 terrorist attacks orchestrated by bin Laden has 'frayed a little bit over the years' and said he has 'no illusions' about the difficulties of the debates awaiting them.

 

He noted other moments this year that brought the country together, including the January assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He added bin Laden's death to that list.

 

'So tonight, it is my fervent hope that we can harness some of that unity and some of that pride to confront the many challenges that we still face,' he said.

 

The dinner, for the bipartisan congressional leadership and key committee leaders, was hosted by Obama and his wife, Michelle. It included Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, as well as Cabinet members and senior White House aides.

 

It came as four out of five citizens said they backed the president’s decision to order the special forces mission which killed the al Qaeda leader.

 

More importantly for his election hopes, more than 40 per cent said they now feel more favourably towards him, according to a poll.

 

Mr Obama’s popularity ratings have been flagging amid concerns for the crisis-hit economy, divisions over health reforms and criticism of his style of governing. A recent survey found only 17 per cent of Americans regarded him as a good military leader.

 

Today it emerged that in a remarkable 36 hours of his presidency, Barack Obama carried the enormous secret but gave no hint of the mission as he consoled tornado victims, delivered a college commencement address and cracked jokes at a black-tie dinner.

 

What few insiders knew was that the US leader had given the go-ahead last Friday for the military operation which would end with the death of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, target of the world's most intense manhunt.

 

After giving his consent, Mr Obama, wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia left the White House on a busy day of travel, with three stops in two states.

 

In Alabama, one of several Southern states battered by fierce tornados, Mr Obama assumed his role as consoler in chief as he and the first lady visited communities in Tuscaloosa which had been flattened by the twisters.

 

Next stop was Cape Canaveral in Florida, even though Endeavour's launch, the next to last one before the shuttle fleet is retired, had been scrapped for technical reasons well before Mr Obama left Alabama. He stuck to his schedule, touring Nasa facilities with his family.

 

He also met privately with wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a fellow Democrat. Her husband, Mark Kelly, is the shuttle commander.

 

The president also delivered an evening commencement address at Miami Dade College before returning to Washington.Mr Obama had a stoic demeanour throughout the weekend.

 

In retrospect, there were some meagre clues that something may have been going on.

 

Mr Obama went straight to the Oval Office in his golf shoes, instead of to the residence as he normally does after golf. Photos showed him looking tense and clench-jawed.

 

All became clear late on Sunday when he told the nation shortly before midnight that bin Laden had been killed at the hands of US Navy Seals.

 

The troops abseiled down ropes in Bin Laden's high-security compound in Abbottabad and opened fire on the terrorist leader when he refused an offer to surrender and be taken alive.

 

Bin Laden's body was buried at sea but there has been some controversy over the situation, with many demanding proof that Bin Laden had been killed.

 

According to the U.S. account, the assault team came away with hard drives, DVDs, documents and more that might tip U.S. intelligence to Al-Qaeda's operational details and perhaps lead the manhunt to the presumed next-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri. The CIA is already going over the material.

 

Two Pentagon officials have said the at-sea burial of Osama bin Laden was videotaped and that it probably will be released soon.

 

The officials said photos of the body prior to its disposal in the North Arabian Sea also may be released.

 

It was not clear whether the firefight in which US forces are said to have shot bin Laden to death was videotaped.

 

John Brennan, the White House counter-terrorism chief, told reporters that the administration was still deliberating on release of the material. Making it public might satisfy those who would otherwise doubt that it was bin Laden who was killed.

 

President Barack Obama plans to visit New York City on Thursday to mark the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

 

The White House says Obama will visit ground zero, the site of Al-Qaeda's attack on the World Trade Centre, and meet with the families of those killed nearly 10 years ago.

 

U.S. forces killed bin Laden during a raid on a compound in Pakistan where he had been hiding, then buried him at sea.

 

Flag-waving crowds have been gathering at the lower Manhattan site of the attack since Obama announced bin Laden's death late Sunday.

 

White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer announced Obama's visit on Twitter.

 

The jubilant mood continued throughout yesterday, with comedians launching a raft of jokes targeted at Bin Laden.

 

'You seem like you're in a good mood,' said CBS' David Letterman, greeting his 'Late Show' audience with a grin. 'You folks enjoy the Osama bin Laden season finale?'

 

Over on NBC, 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno was all smiles, too, as he declared: 'It looks like President Obama has a new campaign slogan: ''Yes I Did''.'

 

'It was the first Twitter death rumour ever that turned out to be true,' cracked Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.

 

'Bin Laden is dead!' said 'Late Night' host Jimmy Fallon on NBC - 'just like the Republicans' chances in 2012.'

 

And on CBS' 'Late Late Show,' host Craig Ferguson gave extra oomph to his trademark pronouncement, 'It's a great day for America, everybody!'

 

Comedy Central host, Jon Stewart, was no less effusive on 'The Daily Show.'

 

'I suppose I should be expressing some ambivalence about the targeted killing of another human being. And yet - uhhhh, no!'

 

Instead, Stewart said, he wanted details such as the look on bin Laden's face when he realized 'the helicopters overhead were not giving traffic and weather updates?'

 

Letterman's Top Ten, 'fresh from the State Department,' purported to list bin Laden's final words, which might have been 'I'm not sure I want to live in a world where 'Fast Five' is the No. 1 movie' or maybe, 'I need a house full of Navy SEALs like I need a hole in the head.'

 

The jokes - and there were many - were focused on a handful of basic themes. Like the courageous Navy SEALs who took bin Laden out.

 

According to O'Brien: 'When he heard about it, former President Bush was furious and said, 'Wait a minute - I could have used seals?!'

 

'How about those Navy SEALs?' said Letterman. 'They jump out of a helicopter and they break into the compound, and they fire a warning shot into his head.'

 

'Well, the good news is,' he added, invoking another prevalent theme, 'Bin Laden lived to see the royal wedding.'

[edjr 5,567]

he had to finish reading the children's book to the kids.

[KSB2424 3,083]

If OBL was on the run, like he was in the mountains of Tora Bora, he would have been long gone after 16 hours.

 

Rumsfeild = Obama

[Recliner Pilot 61]

he had to finish reading the children's book to the kids.

 

I could see that taking him 16 hours. Especially if there are no teleptompters in the kids bedrooms.

[mobb_deep 917]

You mean he actually thought about the possible consequences of actions and international fallout, before making a decision? Well isn't that a refreshing change from the knee jerk reactions your retarded x-president took, that is still costing us billions of dollars and lives to this day.

 

Keep reaching guy.

[posty 2,296]

You mean he actually thought about the possible consequences of actions and international fallout, before making a decision? Well isn't that a refreshing change from the knee jerk reactions your retarded x-president took, that is still costing us billions of dollars and lives to this day.

 

Keep reaching guy.

 

Was neither taking a shot or applauding the President... Just posting an article that I found interesting...

[shovelheadt 62]

Was neither taking a shot or applauding the President... Just posting an article that I found interesting...

 

That article was huge pile of sh*t. Takes us years to track the dude via his couriers and some hack has the sack to insinuate the 16 hours was unreasonable. It's pathetic on multiple levels.

[Drizzay 646]

This could have been a HUGE blunder if it went badly...see Somalia and Iran.

 

I would have been pulling my hair out.

[TD Ryan2 314]

That article was huge pile of sh*t. Takes us years to track the dude via his couriers and some hack has the sack to insinuate the 16 hours was unreasonable. It's pathetic on multiple levels.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

If Obama was so worried about this decision why did he squeeze in a round of golf on Sunday morning?

[rholio 339]

Took 16hrs and made the right decision... given his track record, I don't see the problem there.

[shovelheadt 62]

If Obama was so worried about this decision why did he squeeze in a round of golf on Sunday morning?

 

You may as well find a new handle. You've lost any credibility you had left.

[Me_2006 14]

Glad he made the right choice and measured the outcomes properly. I also find it impressive that he went off by himself and made the decision privately. He wasn't just some suit doing what he was told, which I think alot of folks, myself included, were afraid he would be in big situations. He made an individual call that worked out perfectly.

[MDC 5,893]

You may as well find a new handle. You've lost any credibility you had left.

 

When he said the national guard were whiners for complaining about 3 and 4 tours of duty in Iraq?

 

When he bet that Sharon Dingbat Angle would win a Senate seat on AZ?

 

Or when he welched?

 

[drobeski 3,061]

Bottom line, he made the right decision. I give him an A+ in this endeavor, the Muslim scumbag is dead.

[cbfalcon 824]

Glad he made the right choice and measured the outcomes properly. I also find it impressive that he went off by himself and made the decision privately. He wasn't just some suit doing what he was told, which I think alot of folks, myself included, were afraid he would be in big situations. He made an individual call that worked out perfectly.

[MDC 5,893]

Bottom line, he made the right decision. I give him an A+ in this endeavor, the Muslim scumbag is dead.

 

 

I'm glad some people can put knee-jerk partisan politics aside and just be happy the president made the right call.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

You may as well find a new handle. You've lost any credibility you had left.

You saying he wasn't on the golf course Sunday morning?

[Greedo 13]

If OBL was on the run, like he was in the mountains of Tora Bora, he would have been long gone after 16 hours.

 

Rumsfeild = Obama

 

Right - with Rumsfeld, bin Laden still at large.

 

Now, bin Laden...uh...wait a minute...

 

Bottom line, he made the right decision. I give him an A+ in this endeavor, the Muslim scumbag is dead.

 

Agreed - this is a non-partisan positive for the U.S.

[Me_2006 14]

You saying he wasn't on the golf course Sunday morning?

He's saying it makes you look like an ass to imply that the president playing golf means he wasn't devoted fully to catching the most wanted man on the planet.

 

But hell, apparently he can make perfect decisions while playing golf. He's even better than I gave him credit for.

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, I don't like the job Barack Obama has done as president, yet you guys make me defend him here on a daily basis because you pick the dumbest shiit on the planet to criticize.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

 

Or when he welched?

 

 

 

My Dog Chimpy following me around with more originality.

 

Heeeeeeeere Chimpy..........

[MedStudent 56]

If Obama was so worried about this decision why did he squeeze in a round of golf on Sunday morning?

His work was done at that point. Might as well catch a round golf before watching "bedtime for bin laden".

[swirvenirvin 25]

You mean he actually thought about the possible consequences of actions and international fallout, before making a decision? Well isn't that a refreshing change from the knee jerk reactions your retarded x-president took, that is still costing us billions of dollars and lives to this day.

 

Keep reaching guy.

You're kinda of a weirdo aren't you

[Voltaire 4,562]

 

 

According to the U.S. account, the assault team came away with hard drives, DVDs, documents and more that might tip U.S. intelligence to Al-Qaeda's operational details and perhaps lead the manhunt to the presumed next-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri. The CIA is already going over the material.

 

This gem was hidden halfway in the post. Hopefully Osama kept good records.

[heavy-set 39]

If Obama was so worried about this decision why did he squeeze in a round of golf on Sunday morning?

he was worried, thats why he cut the round to 9 holes.

[Cdub100 3,384]

Osama is dead! Thank you President Obama.

[NorthernVike 2,080]

You saying he wasn't on the golf course Sunday morning?

You saying he didn't make the decision Saturday morning and low clouds postponed the mission until Sunday night?

 

 

 

 

The other poster was right, you prolly should just give up this handle.

[heavy-set 39]

If Obama was so worried about this decision why did he squeeze in a round of golf on Sunday morning?

i thought you lost a bet and left the bored?

[Yer mom 2]

This gem was hidden halfway in the post. Hopefully Osama kept good records.

 

I would love to see that playbook

[Me_2006 14]

I would love to see that playbook

 

Code Name: John Madden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because every play is BOOM!

[nikki2200 4]

I would love to see that playbook

 

 

Meh. Bellichick probably has it all on film.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

You saying he didn't make the decision Saturday morning and low clouds postponed the mission until Sunday night?

 

 

 

 

The other poster was right, you prolly should just give up this handle.

 

 

I'm saying when you green light an ultra high profile mission like this where there is a high probabity of multiple deaths, and possibly 40, you could put off your weekly round if golf out of respect.

 

On this issue GWB had it right when he gave up golf the minute bullets started flying. Bush had more awareness of what mitary families go through.

[MDC 5,893]

I'm saying when you green light an ultra high profile mission like this where there is a high probabity of multiple deaths, and possibly 40, you could put off your weekly round if golf out of respect.

 

On this issue GWB had it right when he gave up golf the minute bullets started flying. Bush had more awareness of what mitary families go through.

 

Too bad he got it so wrong on Iraq and quit on finding bin Laden.

[cbfalcon 824]

I'm saying when you green light an ultra high profile mission like this where there is a high probabity of multiple deaths, and possibly 40, you could put off your weekly round if golf out of respect.

 

On this issue GWB had it right when he gave up golf the minute bullets started flying. Bush had more awareness of what mitary families go through.

 

Yeah, playing golf is very disrespectful to the soldiers. I mean, you just don't do things like that. Obama might as well be pissing on the military's face when he does something as disrepectful as......golf.

[Big Blue 06 195]

I don't see why this is a bad thing. He had a difficult decision to make and he made sure he took the time to get it right. We waited nearly 10 years to catch this focker, that 16 hours didn't put us over the limit.

[nikki2200 4]

I don't see why this is a bad thing. He had a difficult decision to make and he made sure he took the time to get it right. We waited nearly 10 years to catch this focker, that 16 hours didn't put us over the limit.

 

 

No reasonable person would think this was a bad thing.

[frank 2,147]

I'm saying when you green light an ultra high profile mission like this where there is a high probabity of multiple deaths, and possibly 40, you could put off your weekly round if golf out of respect.

 

On this issue GWB had it right when he gave up golf the minute bullets started flying. Bush had more awareness of what mitary families go through.

 

Maybe you stick to your regular schedule so no one gets suspicious.

[Big Blue 06 195]

I'm saying when you green light an ultra high profile mission like this where there is a high probabity of multiple deaths, and possibly 40, you could put off your weekly round if golf out of respect.

 

On this issue GWB had it right when he gave up golf the minute bullets started flying. Bush had more awareness of what mitary families go through.

 

Seriously dude, can you just give the guy credit one focking time? Obama got it right, made the smart, ballsy move, and Osama was killed with 0 civilian or American casualties. I actually side with the right most of the time, if not all of the time. You and others like you, however, make it very difficult.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

Seriously dude, can you just give the guy credit one focking time? Obama got it right, made the smart, ballsy move, and Osama was killed with 0 civilian or American casualties. I actually side with the right most of the time, if not all of the time. You and others like you, however, make it very difficult.

 

 

I gave him credit in the original thread about all this, fukknuts.

[Recliner Pilot 61]

Maybe you stick to your regular schedule so no one gets suspicious.

 

If you skip a round of golf and some towelhead fukktard living in a house with no telephones or tv panics, you may be playing too much golf