According to this Reuters’ story, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was alive when US forces arrived at his bombed-out safehouse. If our military knew where this man was, and were able to arrive on the scene that fast, why couldn’t they have captured him alive? Why isn’t this man alive, in custody, and facing a trial for his crimes?
Yesterday, Atrios said, “I’m supposed to give the obligatory “YAY USA!” cheer here…” Why? Because we’ve proved that we can summarily execute someone we think is guilty? And, who else did we kill to get al-Zarqawi? Were they all guilty, too? Aren’t we about laws and justice and fair trials? Isn’t this what our founding fathers and countless others have fought for?
I don’t feel happy about the death of al-Zarqawi. Don’t get me wrong here: I’m not going to lose any sleep over his passing. I feel like I can breathe a small, temporary sigh of relief, but I don’t feel happy when anyone dies, and I don’t feel happy when America flexes our muscles and not our superior morality. I feel sad for the whole fucked up world that created whatever perverse moral universe al-Zarqawi lived in. But I’m angry right now. We knew where this man was, and we have the best special forces in the world. Why isn’t he alive and in custody? Why do we not show the world what American justice is really about—not blind, murderous revenge, but the cold, dispassionate, and thorough process of trial by jury?
Update: Hume’s Ghost also does not celebrate Zarqawi’s death
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From media blogger Ron Franscell @http://underthenews.blogspot.com
Today, a plaque was placed at the site of Hitler’s Berlin bunker—and his death—by German historians. Some people complained that neo-Nazis might now use the site as a shrine to one of the great criminals of all times. More than 60 years later, we worry about Hitler’s symbolism.
Ironically, today we also hold the corpse of Musab al-Zarqawi. Presuming we will not desecrate him any further than dropping two 500-pound bombs on him, how does one dispose of the body of terrorism’s great symbols? If you give him back to his people his symbolism will transcend his mortal coil. If you toss him in a dumpster, it doesn’t say much about who we are.
What should be done with a monster’s corpse?
hey dude. i love your post hehe… me myself made a post entitled ” Zarqawi’s Death Don’t Mean No Shit, Seriously” hahaha …
Sad to say, Irzan, I think your post is right on. It’s as if our military were fighting World War II again, where the enemy had a rigid hierarchy, with a few evil men at the top; defeat them, and the movement crumbles. This is entirely different. This enemy, I fear, has a more pervasive web of influence, with power spread farther out into the ranks.