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What exactly do you mean here? ROT13? Some sort of crazy arabic version of pig latin? Just because they have DARPA doesn't mean the americans can just waltz pa

What exactly do you mean here? ROT13? Some sort of crazy arabic version of pig latin? Just because they have DARPA doesn't mean the americans can just waltz past elliptic-curve cyphers. EDIT: Unless you mean the 'give me the key or I'll fetch the powerdrill' kind of encryption breaking, in which case, fair point.

JoachimSchipper 16y ago
Rubber hose crypto doesn't work on corpses. I was actually quite surprised that they didn't try/manage to get more people alive...
- lucasjung 16y ago
  They were more concerned about keeping the American operators alive. When you're going after a zealous nutjob who welcomes death and seeks only to take as many others as possible with him, capture becomes significantly more dangerous than killing. The SEALs were mostly likely briefed that they were to attempt capture but not to endanger any of their team members for that purpose. The reports I read stated that he was offered a chance to surrender but declined. Since UBL was holding an AK and a human shield at the time, the SEAL who cornered him didn't waste any time going to "plan B."
  - michaelcampbell 16y ago
    > When you're going after a zealous nutjob who welcomes death and seeks only to take as many others as possible with him, ... What you say is 100% true, but if history is any guide, zealous nutjob LEADERS have their MINIONS take as many with THEM as they can. The leaders, oddly, need to stay and suffer on this mortal plane.
    - JoachimSchipper 16y ago
      This has happened, but Osama - who clearly was a capable and inspiring man - sacrificed a life of mostly carefree luxury for caves, manhunts, etc. I'm not saying he was not crazy or entirely free of being corrupted by his position, but it seems likely that he actually believed what he said he believed - and even if he didn't go out and blow himself up, he was probably aware of the likely consequences of his actions. (Evading capture in Afghanistan was quite a feat/lucky.)
  - michaelcampbell 16y ago
    > Since UBL was holding an AK and a human shield at the time, Was it Osama using the woman? I read it was "one of the fighters", but not Osama himself. (pause) Most news outlets now are reporting that the woman may have been simply in the line of fire, and not being used as a shield for anyone. We may never know.

JoachimSchipper 16y ago

Rubber hose crypto doesn't work on corpses. I was actually quite surprised that they didn't try/manage to get more people alive...

lucasjung 16y ago
They were more concerned about keeping the American operators alive. When you're going after a zealous nutjob who welcomes death and seeks only to take as many others as possible with him, capture becomes significantly more dangerous than killing. The SEALs were mostly likely briefed that they were to attempt capture but not to endanger any of their team members for that purpose. The reports I read stated that he was offered a chance to surrender but declined. Since UBL was holding an AK and a human shield at the time, the SEAL who cornered him didn't waste any time going to "plan B."
- michaelcampbell 16y ago
  > When you're going after a zealous nutjob who welcomes death and seeks only to take as many others as possible with him, ... What you say is 100% true, but if history is any guide, zealous nutjob LEADERS have their MINIONS take as many with THEM as they can. The leaders, oddly, need to stay and suffer on this mortal plane.
  - JoachimSchipper 16y ago
    This has happened, but Osama - who clearly was a capable and inspiring man - sacrificed a life of mostly carefree luxury for caves, manhunts, etc. I'm not saying he was not crazy or entirely free of being corrupted by his position, but it seems likely that he actually believed what he said he believed - and even if he didn't go out and blow himself up, he was probably aware of the likely consequences of his actions. (Evading capture in Afghanistan was quite a feat/lucky.)
- michaelcampbell 16y ago
  > Since UBL was holding an AK and a human shield at the time, Was it Osama using the woman? I read it was "one of the fighters", but not Osama himself. (pause) Most news outlets now are reporting that the woman may have been simply in the line of fire, and not being used as a shield for anyone. We may never know.