Why haven't we caught Osama Bin Laden?

Question

Would it make a difference if we did catch him?

Great responses. Thank you!

Answer 1

If the US wants to catch OBL, it has been going about this the wrong way. It is never possible to catch one individual by carpet-bombing a country like Afghanistan. If the US really wanted to catch him, it should focus on covert intelligence operations.

There's a pretty clear lesson from the capture of Saddam Hussein: bombing Iraq for over a decade didn't get rid of him, but tracking him down to his hidden bunker with a properly coordinated intelligence operation did.

If he were caught now, I suppose the consequences would probably be:

1. Americans would rejoice
2. Americans would shove him in Guantanamo without trial
3. International disapproval would reach a pitch of disapproval that even Bush could not ignore
4. Eventually he would have a trial
5. He'd be executed
6. He'd be acclaimed as a great martyr by al-Qaida and its followers, and would serve as a rallying point for further recruitment

I doubt very much that his capture or execution would do anything to hinder al-Qaida. He's only a figurehead: it's a splinter cell organisation and doesn't survive on his leadership.

Answer 2

The National-Union feels the White House and Congress does not have the correct vision to catch the criminals of the States. The US is still receiving terrorist threats because our procedures must change the way we determine a threat. And even if we catch the leader, we must find an effective way to end the education of new terrorist. We must build better alliances with our neighbors. Citizens desire tougher laws on criminals of the States. The National-Union believes that convicted murderers with reasonable doubt should still in jail until the appeal process is over. Traitors and conspirators should receive life in prison. Sex offenders and abusers should receive the same jail sentence then a probation over 5 years that if they go back to the same habits that cause them to commit the crime again lesser rights to the maximum jail sentence. This has been supported by around 100% by the majority, http://www.voteprimous.com

Answer 3

1. we haven't caught him, because we don't want him bad enough.. I mean, if we REALLY wanted too... with our military... does anyone really think we couldn't?

2. well I think it would make a HUGE difference... because, odds are, if we catch him, we catch all, or most of, the leadership of al-queda with him... that's a huge blow to complex planning, gathering finances and just experience in general... there are few terrorists in the world with Osama and Co.'s experience, links to billionaires and planning ability...

how many other groups have EVER pulled off anything close to 9-11? basically none... now either Osama and Co. are better than everyone else... or just no one else wanted to do that? I think many groups would have loved to do that, but simply couldn't pull it off... too much money, too much planning, not enough resources or experience...

to say that it "wouldn't matter" seems insane to me... it wouldn't end terrorism, granted... but there are still nazis running around, but taking out hitler and leadership sure did put a kink in their goals...

I mean have you seen the attacks that the other groups are doing? most are very unorganized, very sloppy and while they may be deadly for a few, they are no where near as deadly as 9-11... you're talking about professionals and amateurs... which do you want attacking you?

it took osama bout 6 years to plan 9-11... these aren't simple little attacks... he's been WAY to quiet lately and to just say "it's no big deal, he's just crying in cave" when no one clearly has a clue where he is or what he's doing... it's just scary...

I mean right now... Osama did 9-11... and GOT AWAY WITH IT... he's not caught... we don't know where he is... that has to be huge for them... and a huge recruitment tool... much more than killing him ever would be... telling them they can hit the U.S. and live to tell about it and strike another day...

Answer 4

Because we do not have the resources. We are bogged down in Iraq and looking for Osama has been put on the back burner. If we do get him, we need to do away with him on the spot instead of letting someone over there put him on trial. I would suggest tying him on the nose of a 747 and running it into a mountain from 20,000 ft at 600 mph.Or, after the new towers are built, we could drop him from the last floor with a 100lb weight tied to his a**.

Answer 5

Bin Laden wanted US troops out of Saudi Arabia and wanted to embroil the US in an unwinnable war that would drain our treasury and bankrupt our country. Why capture him? We just gave him everything he wanted.
Check out "Armed Madhouse" by Greg Palast for a real eye-opening look at BinLaden, Bush, and Iraq.

Answer 6

Because looking for one man in the world is like looking for a needle in a haystack. No it wouldnt make much difference he is not the brains behind al-qeada anyway just the money the number#2 guy is the one that would make the most difference if we got him.

Answer 7

The man is either dead or so deeply paranoid that he is basically under self imposed prison. There hasn't been a tape released from him in several months even though the number two guy has spoken several times during tat time frame.

Answer 8

I believe he is dead. If he isn't dead physically, at least he no longer has a strong Al Qaeda presence. The worst thing that could happen now is for him to be captured and and viewed as a martyr by his followers.

Answer 9

I think we'd all like to catch him but I sure hope he's dead when we find him.
I even want to think about a trial.

I hope they just leave him in an imploded cave somewhere with no publicity what so ever.

Answer 10

oh exhilaration a end to all wars each thing would be solid interior the international now this1 solitary loony music has been netted oh exhilaration and peace cometh to all yet no longer till GB And TB are made redundant besides? oh hell no exhilaration is nigh.