Osama Bin Laden: Why was killing the object?

One could have a long discussion about whether the killing of Osama bin Laden (if we proceed on the assumption that it did occur) was a murder, an assassination, an extrajudicial killing, a targeted killing, a killing in self-defence, etc. (for information on the distinctions, see the useful articles on Wikipedia).

However, one should also consider whether killing should have been the objective of the operation.  There certainly appeared to be a need to neutralise OBL’s influence over Al Queda and a need to bring him to account for the terrorist acts attributed to him or ostensibly claimed by him.  But, as with the defendants in the Nuremburg Trials after World War II, it would have been far preferable to deal with OBL in accordance with due process.  It seems clear that President Obama and the Navy SEALs were very much intent on a killing, rather than capture.  The unfortunate – but quite foreseeable – result is the current controversy and speculation about OBL’s death, his motivations, etc.  This could have been avoided, and proper justice done, if Operation Geronimo had been directed at capturing OBL.  The SEALs should have gone out of their way to avoid killing him.  President Bush’s “Wanted: Dead or Alive” belongs to the Wild West of the past that he dredged it up from, not in today’s culture. 

The world should have had a chance to see OBL face his accusers, just as it did with Saddam Hussein, and with Göring, Hess, Keitel, et al, at Nuremburg.  It would not have been right for the Allies to simply shoot the Nazis in their beds.  Interestingly, 4 of the 19 Nuremburg defendants found guilty (24 were charged) expressed repentance.  The most important argument against capital punishment (to which targeted killing bears many similarities) is that it removes any further opportunity for repentance and conversion of heart on the part of the one brought to justice.  I pray that those involved in OBL’s killing utilise the time they have left for repentance and conversion.