Could you have done it?

[Jester]

Starting to go over the top. I'd prefer it if this stayed on whether or not you could do it, not coming up with the most extreme methodology.

As the guy who started this all, I want to emphasize what Raps is saying. Obviously this person caused a lot of strong emotions in a lot of people, and it can be so easy to go off the deep end, but please, let's keep this away from trying to top each other and simply answer the question of whether or not you could pull the trigger if you had been in that situation with bin Laden.

My answer is yes, yes I could and would do it given the opportunity. I should explain why.

And feel free to explain why you feel the way you do. But as Raps said, let's keep it away from the over the top stuff, please. Thank you.

I had family who worked in the WTC. If my aunt hadn't accidentally overslept for the first time in ages, she would've been there, right on one of the floors that was directly hit.

I'm sure a few people have similar stories, if they didn't actually lose anyone. Myself, I had two close calls. At the time, one of my best friends and one of my sisters were working in NYC. That day, my sister had a doctor or dentist appointment, and so had taken the day off work. That morning, my friend for some reason went into her office early (she may have been running late, but I'm pretty sure she was early), otherwise she would have probably been in the WTC train station at the time of the plane strikes, since that was the station she got off the train at and walked the last couple blocks or so to work. (She worked for the Manhattan's District Attorney office at the time.)

I truly don't know.

And a very honest answer.

[mikoyan29]

I honestly don't know. I like some violent video games but I'm not a violent person in real life. I guess with enough training, I probably wouldn't hesitate to shoot him but I've never been in that situation so I honestly don't know how I would react.

[Greenday]

In a heart beat doesn't even cover it.

A) Already in Afghanistan and Pakistan's right here.

B) $$$$$$$$$$$$$ I assume that reward was still good?

[evillebee]

Yes.

I have a gun loaded and ready to protect myself and family. I live in the country at the end of a dead end road. It seemed for awhile, I was reading too many articles of peoples homes being broken into (always the last house on a dead end and isolated) no matter if they were home or not. Brazen little bastards will have a big surprise if they try that at my house. I was taught that every gun is always loaded and if you point a gun at someone, you better be prepared to kill. So, yes, I have given this some thought.

[AccountingDrone]

In a heartbeat. I had friends in the WTC.

[Amethyst Hunter]

Short answer - yes.

Some humans just need killin'. bin Laden was one such. It won't begin to make up for the horror and hell he caused, and it sure isn't an automatic end to all terrorism, but it was a necessary responsibility and probably the best-case scenario out of all possible outcomes of a final confrontation. (Which is also why I agree with the burial at sea - the less martyrdom the asshole gets, the better.)

Now, if this turdbag had affected me or mine personally? I wouldn't be content to stop at just a bullet. (Like someone else said, cross someone's personal threshold and all bets are off.)

[Mytical]

This question is not an easy question for me. Normally I would only end somebody's life if the life of my friends, family, or loved ones were in direct jeopardy. However, all the information I have suggests that that is exactly what he would do in a heartbeat. Put my friends, family, or loved ones in direct jeopardy.

I do not care about myself, I've been living on borrowed time for over 13 years..and have made my peace a LONG time ago. Somebody threatening my loved ones..that is just another matter entirely. So..unless and until the situation arose..I couldn't honestly say. I would prefer to think not, because I AM the gentle giant. I just can not say I wouldn't, however.

[lordlundar]

To start off with, I'm not a very violent person. I don't like hurting people and I don't like getting into fights.

That said, not only would I not hesitate, the other members of the squad would have to hold me down to prevent turning him into swiss cheese.

[Dreamstalker]

I'm by no means a violent person, but if something or someone puts me over the edge or threatens anyone close to me watch out.

That said, I'd have no problem putting one (or two, or ten) in his head to make sure he was dead then and there. Any sort of martyrdom would just encourage his minions.

[Gravekeeper]

No, but only because my own moral code is more important then his waste of skin.

[Food Lady]

No, but only because my own moral code is more important then his waste of skin.

I almost exactly agree with you, except that no human being is a "waste of skin."

[Nyoibo]

I almost exactly agree with you, except that no human being is a "waste of skin."

Of course not, all skin can be turned into leather wich has all sorts of uses.

Sorry, I've been doing prep for a bunch of leatherwork and I couldn't resist.

[Dave1982]

Starting to go over the top. I'd prefer it if this stayed on whether or not you could do it, not coming up with the most extreme methodology.

Rapscallion

We've been allowing this thread as a special exception to the Fratching rules due to the special nature of this situation, but we're straying far off the original topic, which is "could you have done it?" The wider ethical debate should be taken to Fratching.

[Fire_on_High]

Especially stick a pork chop in his mouth for burial...where in hell do you come up with these visuals?

Because some of the fanatical sects believe any contact with pork or pigs is a one way ticket straight to Hell.

Honestly, somewhat wasted on a dead body if you don't share the beliefs, IMO, but it's symbolic.

[charred]

Y. E. S.