Moral Dilemma?

[M.Dancer]

Mr. Holder is telling lawmakers the goal of the U.S. is to capture Mr. bin Laden and extract intelligence from him, but past reports suggest Mr. bin Laden's security guards have orders not to let him be captured alive.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/us-still-hopes-to-capture-bin-laden/article1534127/

Edited April 14, 2010 by M.Dancer

[myata]

My kid just got that very dilemma in their history/philosophy project; would be interesting to hear their opinion.

To me though the answer is directly linked to who's asking the question: someone who understands and values the principles they themselves declared and broadcast arount; or somebody who doesn't really give a darn about any principles as long as it serves their purpose.

[Pliny]

I answered he should be allowed to surf in Tofino?

[GostHacked]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/washington/04intel.html

Bin laden will never be captured.

WASHINGTON, July 3 — The Central Intelligence Agency has closed a unit that for a decade had the mission of hunting Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants, intelligence officials confirmed Monday.

The unit, known as Alec Station, was disbanded late last year and its analysts reassigned within the C.I.A. Counterterrorist Center, the officials said.

The decision is a milestone for the agency, which formed the unit before Osama bin Laden became a household name and bolstered its ranks after the Sept. 11 attacks, when President Bush pledged to bring Mr. bin Laden to justice "dead or alive."

[bush_cheney2004]

Bin laden will never be captured.

Just as well....after many years Marc Emery still remains at large too!

[Bonam]

No dilemma here.

[fellowtraveller]

past reports suggest Mr. bin Laden's security guards have orders not to let him be captured alive.

I wonder how that particular instruction would be writeen up in the OBL Operational Security Manual, issude to his personal protection detail?

Section IV, 6.b.3: Kill Our Leader immediately if you feel threatened.

[Handsome Rob]

I can't think of any particular reason to treat him any differently than any other human being. What happens to our moral superiority? What happens to the right thing to do?

[Sir Bandelot]

They will not allow Tim Osman to be arrested.

[M.Dancer]

Tin foil alert