Talk:Osama bin Laden

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD

WE FINALY GOT HIM!!!!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/01/bin.laden.obit/index.html?hpt=T1'Bold text —Preceding unsigned comment added by AMERICAN MIGHT (talk • contribs) 04:28, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

caught in northern pakistan near afghanistan border

first intelligence report came in august 2010 with cooperation of Pakistani security forces

Name

The article states the he should be refered to as 'Osama' or 'Osama bin Laden', and not 'bin Laden'. Then the whole rest of the article refers to him as 'bin Laden'. are we a little confused?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.233.246.217 (talk) 18:38, 16 October 2010 (UTC)

"Strictly speaking, Arabic linguistic conventions dictate that he be referred to as "Osama" or "Osama bin Laden", not "bin Laden", as "Bin Laden" is not used as a surname in the Western manner, but simply as part of his name, which in its long form means "Osama, son of Mohammed, son of 'Awad, son of Laden"." So why isn't he Osama bin Mohammed then ?Eregli bob (talk) 13:36, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Death

The first part of the "Death" section has a typo; the same sentence is repeated twice.

There are reports of death Monday 2nd may 2011 8 am (However, apparently the actual operation may have happened a week previous) It could be noted that Obama delivered this historical speech at 11:35 Post-Meridian, Eastern Standard Time. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wiirulez (talk • contribs) 03:55, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I don't understand, first he said he died last week then he said he died today.

http://www.ajc.com/news/reports-bin-laden-dead-931726.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by Spo0nman (talk • contribs) 02:49, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Says in the intro that he died in December 2001... shouldn't someone change that? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.44.179.196 (talk) 17:40, 27 February 2011 (UTC)

Until it is a confirmed fact lets not change it —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.68.116.49 (talk) 03:04, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

News reports say that the US has had his body for about a week, so the date of death on the page is off. Zoso1012 (talk) 03:22, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

The city where he died is wrong. It should be Abbottabad. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.216.248.57 (talk) 03:46, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Article currently says he died on May 1st. Obama released that he died last week, but only the confirmation that it was him was on May 1st. It was not the date of death.72.241.15.61 (talk) 03:52, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes, but he then shortly said: "Today, at my direction, the United states launched a targeted operation against that compound." --Kaydeethree (talk) 04:36, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I just heard on the news (CNN) that they found out President Obama gave the final go-ahead to the special forces on the same day as the royal wedding in England -- April 29. I don't have a source yet, but be alert and aware for that. That means bin Laden probably died on April 29 or April 30. 214.27.58.2 (talk) 04:30, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

News to me. I've been listening to CNN the whole time. --Kaydeethree (talk) 04:35, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I just heard the speech a second time. Obama very clearly says that the operation was launched "today" and the death date should indeed say May 1st. sean (talk) 04:37, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

On second thought it might be May 2nd. "Today" is ambiguous. sean (talk) 04:40, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

The "go ahead" would be given well in advance of the operation, so there's no reason he couldn't have given the "go ahead" for the operation which then culminated on May 1st. Rklawton (talk) 04:39, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

anti-semitic

how can he be anti-semitic when he is a semite??? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.208.251.132 (talk) 15:49, 13 November 2010 (UTC)

Because he hates Jews.Cromulant (talk) 17:43, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

Silly 75.208.251.132. Anti-semitic means "anti-Jewish" even though technically "semitic" is a language group that would include both Hebrews and Arabs - that's not how it's used in common speech. Rklawton (talk) 04:41, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Re-read and re-write

Some body please re-read and then rewrite this entire article for focus and accuracy and intelligence.

October 2004 tape (footnote) Osama must have had major surgery to change his appearance or the worst double imaginable. I thought this tape had been laughed off the planet by now.159.105.80.220 (talk) 20:24, 2 February 2011 (UTC)

College

Origins of bin Laden network. By: Baldauf, Scott, Bowers, Faye, Christian Science Monitor, 08827729, 9/14/2001, Vol. 93, Issue 204.

This article says Osama studied Engineering. He was to work at or take over his father's company. Is this true or false? 81.68.255.36 (talk) 12:22, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

MIDDLE EAST POLICY, VOL. IX, NO. 2, JUNE 2002

OSAMA BIN LADEN: EMBEDDED IN THE MIDDLE EAST CRISES Ann M. Lesch Dr. Lesch is professor of political science, Villanova University.

This article says he graduated when he was 22 and had a degree in "civil engineering" from the uni of Jidda. 81.68.255.36 (talk) 12:31, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

There are varying accounts of Osama bin Laden's time at Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. The best-sourced account I've seen is from Lawrence Wright who interviewed one of bin Laden's contemporaries from the period. He studied economics but began working for the family firm while at university. Unable to balance the two, dropped out a year before graduating. See The Looming Tower pp78-82. --Copper button 19:27, 14 February 2011 (UTC)

Criticism of bin Laden

Seriously? A section called criticism of bin Laden discusses a relatively esoteric point of Islamic scholarship. Umm... is there anything else he's been criticised for? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.73.77.200 (talk) 10:04, 7 March 2011 (UTC)

quick fix

someone needs to remove the "|" after the "most wanted terrorists" link on the second paragraph. CBF logging in to do it myself (semiprotected page by the looks of it) 27.32.100.152 (talk) 12:04, 5 April 2011 (UTC)

Picture

the digitally aged photo published by the FBI was invalidated (see the bin Laden article) and should not be used as the portrait on this article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.47.236.82 (talk) 06:33, 10 April 2011 (UTC)

Isn't it a bit weired to use a photo which is not actually of him as the main picture of the article? Especially when others are available? I would insert an older but actual photo and then move the manipulated one down to the middle somewhere. Maracana (talk) 09:30, 14 April 2011 (UTC)

I replaced it because the previous photo was too low quality. If anyone can find a free HQ image, be my guest to change it. Sceptre ^(talk) 23:00, 14 April 2011 (UTC)

Should definitely be changed immediately. Its ironic with the article itself, and proven invalid. Its better to have no photo than a picture of a spanish politician. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.118.118.241 (talk) 08:03, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Death

Can we give some credence to the fact that he might be dead? It has been speculated a few times and the main dates are pinned down to July or December 2001, with a few other dates suggested. Angelo Codevilla, of the American Spectator, says that there has not been a credible sighting of OBL since 2001 and that all the subsequent video and audio are very clearly not him (due to voice and appearance). Then, professor David Ray Griffin wrote a book entitled Osama Bin Laden: Dead or Alive, which provides a strong case and a date of death: 13 December 2001. And then there is the fact that OBL denied involvement four times* after 9/11, before suddenly arising to claim responsibility (on Griffins asserted death date). He appears very differently in the video published on that date, and unlike his [wahhabism|religious beliefs]]. Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto both claimed he died years ago, for kidney failure (2001) and assassination (2004?), respectively.

I would like to take the example of Alois Brunner, who is believed dead (he would be 99 now), but its unknown when. Here we have some dates and can then note that these are speculated or unconfirmed, but have some shadows of evidence to ground them. At some point, it will have to be recognized that he is dead. Why wait until 2057, when he would be 100 and the odds are ridiculous? I am willing to do the work on this, but I would like some support and comments from others to see if I am thinking realistically.

Please put a talkback on my talkpage if you reply. I tend to forget that I posted on a talk page.

*These articles I cited also make the case that OBL wasnt even involved in 9/11 and Codevilla suggests it was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. I would love to get that more prominence in this and the 9/11 article, but there is so limited citing on it. I dont know why people dont even think of this possibility. The government cant because they would have to admit they were wrong, but independent sources certainly could speculate more about it.

Metallurgist (talk) 01:17, 1 May 2011 (UTC)

I suppose he might be dead, seeing as the US military and its Commander in Chief are both saying he was killed. — Rickyrab | Talk 04:30, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Awaiting President Obama to possibly confirm his death

President Obama is about to speak on TV, possibly to announce Osama's death. Will update as soon as the announcement is official. Safiel (talk) 02:46, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

CNN is saying they have outside confirmation. But I agree we should wait for the President's statement. 75.93.212.49 (talk) 02:53, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

MSNBC has confirmed it... Piandcompany (talk) 02:54, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

According to the burlington free press, the United States Government has his dead body and president Barck Obama will adress the nation on Sunday, May 1.Mrwaco29 (talk) 03:06, 2 May 2011 (UTC)Page text.

Practically all media sources report and confirm his death, but an official confirmation would be nice. JorgeGuberte (talk) 03:17, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Osama Bin Laden was killed one week ago today; 5/01/2011, which put his death at April 24, 2011. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wannabeme22 (talk • contribs) 04:03, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Great now the war is going to escalate 207.6.160.6 (talk) 04:19, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from 65.67.89.73, 2 May 2011

Osama was pronounced dead on may 1st, 2011. The report first given by NY times writer Jay Turpin is supposed to be finalized by the President in a address to the United States.

65.67.89.73 (talk) 02:49, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Lets wait till the statement on TV --Guerillero | My Talk 02:52, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Ki4mor, 2 May 2011

{{edit semi-protected}} He has been killed, all over the news add a death date.

Ki4mor (talk) 02:55, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Understood Moxy (talk) 02:59, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

The comma between 1 and 2011 in his death date at the top of his InfoBox needs to have a space after it.

Small thing, but it's kind of annoying. Can someone fix that? 96.232.165.52 (talk) 02:56, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Death date

No reason to believe death date is May 1, as the US is just announcing now after confirming his identity. Circa April 2011 would be a better date for now. Grsz 11 03:00, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from 161.253.105.39, 2 May 2011

Please change the age of Osama bin Laden to reflect that he died at age 54, instead of it saying that he was born at age 54 and died at age 0 (code error). 161.253.105.39 (talk) 03:01, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

 Done Fixed by another admin. –MuZemike 03:19, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request by Marlith

Please add a {{current}} to the page header. Marlith (Talk)  03:02, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

 Done Steven Walling 03:06, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from CaesarGermanicus, 2 May 2011

CaesarGermanicus (talk) 03:03, 2 May 2011 (UTC) Um...... Osama's death was reported last night. Why hasnt this signifigant event been written yet? This seriously concerns my trust and support of Wikipedia.

                Sincerely,
                         CaesarGermanicus

• That's just commentary, not a request. Protonk (talk) 03:05, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Rockclaw1030, 2 May 2011

I have seen the news and would like to post on the fact that Osama is now officially dead.

Rockclaw1030 (talk) 03:05, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Osama bin Laden is confirmed dead, per ABC News, NY Times, WSJ, and oddly TMZ. It's official! —Terrence and Phillip 03:10, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Full protection reduced to semi. —DoRD (talk) 03:34, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I propose we lock it

In light of the current media happenings, I think we should lock this before it starts getting vandalized. 98.26.81.41 (talk) 03:05, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Appears that the article was protected a few minutes ago. --joe decker^{talk to me} 03:06, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Agree, at least move to semi protection so we can update it. —Charles Edward ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 03:11, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

• Support protection for obvious reasons. Rklawton (talk) 03:14, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Semi protection would be fine. The admins are obviously not keeping pace here. Per FOX, US has the body, confirmed using DNA from family member. Per AP, Place of death was islamabad, he was living in a mansion. Cause of death is a bomb per CNN —Charles Edward ^{(Talk | Contribs)} 03:16, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

• Request for semi-protection so that non-admin editors can update and edit the article. —Terrence and Phillip 03:18, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

another source for Bin Laden's death

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/ says he was killed by a bomb

CNN is reporting he was killed outside a mansion in Islamabad, Pakistan--L1A1 FAL (talk) 03:19, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

BBC is reporting it too.

• Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/02/us-obama-statement-idUSTRE74107920110502 Rklawton (talk) 03:16, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

• And CBS News is also reiterating bin Laden's death: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/01/national/main20058777.shtml —Terrence and Phillip 03:26, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

• Does Wikinews count as a reliable source? http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden_dead,_report_US_officials —Terrence and Phillip 03:41, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Remove section

I suggest that this section be removed: Reports of his current whereabouts. Thoughts? Jujutacular ^talk 03:13, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Or just rename it. Rklawton (talk) 03:14, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Rename it, yeah. Don't delete it -- it's useful because that information had an impact on political discussions of the time. The historical significance of where people thought he was hasn't disappeared with his death. --Aquillion (talk) 03:16, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm in shock. I found out playing Millionaire on Facebook of all places, one of my fellow players was watching NBC when they announced it. As for this section, I say let's hold on until the major spurt of activity dies down a bit. I agree we can't discuss his current whereabouts anymore; it's in U.S. custody in a coffin, or some disgraceful wrapping. CycloneGU (talk) 03:17, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

His current whereabouts, or at least his dead body, is currently in US military custody. It should be merged with his death section. —Terrence and Phillip 03:23, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Let's wait until we have more details. That section might still be worthy of inclusion, with a rewrite. – Muboshgu (talk) 03:24, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Death of a terrorist

Osama bin Laden was killed by a rocket fired from a drone about 3pm Nz time.President Obama is going to give a press statement in 15mts.

We got that already. CycloneGU (talk) 03:17, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Appears he was killed on a day prior to the announcement. We'll wait until the date is confirmed before we change it again. — BQZip01 — ^talk 03:38, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

President Obama said OBL was killed outside of Abbottobad (not Islamabad as stated in the article on Wikipedia) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.206.151.176 (talk) 03:48, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

noticed a problem

there's 2 "Death" sections, might want to condense that--L1A1 FAL (talk) 03:18, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Death of Bin laden needs it's own article

Just a thought but the rumors of Death and the real death of osama should have it's own article here linked to this page. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 03:18, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

We only have two sentences so far. When we get more information you can create a new article.--RaptorHunter (talk) 03:21, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Dylankd, 2 May 2011

Osama Bin Laden

Dylankd (talk) 03:27, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

• Declined, as there is no specific request here. --John (talk) 03:40, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

In "Childhood, education, and personal life"

At the end of the second paragraph, if this man is deceased, shouldn't it say "He also wrote poetry" Instead of "He also writes poetry"?

Greisen (talk) 03:30, 2 May 2011 (UTC)Greisen

DEATH DATE IS WRONG

The died-on-date listed is wrong. It says May 1, 2011. That is WRONG. He died one week ago according to press reports, and it is just now being revealed today. [1] GOOD RIDDANZ (talk) 03:48, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

I also saw this. Please fix. HankyUSA (talk) 04:00, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Current date is consistent with presidental speech.©Geni 04:03, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

According to Obama, he died today; I'd say much more a reliable source than various press. --BignBad 04:10, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

When did Obama today say he died today? The 'LIVE' broadcast I heard said he died several days ago and they only revealed it today once they confirmed it was him with DNA testing.

Edit request from 137.216.94.156, 2 May 2011

It's May 2nd that it took place, not March 2nd.

137.216.94.156 (talk) 03:47, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Current date is consistent with presidental speech.©Geni 04:02, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Wannabeme22, 2 May 2011

Osama Bin Laden was killed one week ago from this day 5/01/2011

Wannabeme22 (talk) 03:58, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Current date is consistent with presidental speech.©Geni 04:03, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

death date

I would like to point out that he probably died on the 2nd of May Pakistani time.

He was killed on the 24th, according to reports. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:00, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

EXACTLY! THANK YOU! 04:04, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

According to what I heard on CNN not long ago, he died eight hours before but they only announced it now. I haven't heard of him dying a week ago as others said. We'd best sit on the presumed death date (today) until otherwise is confirmed. CycloneGU (talk) 04:04, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Indeed, according to Obama's speech on CNN, he died today. --BignBad 04:09, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

The President said "Today, at my direction, the United States carried out that operation... they killed Osama Bin Laden and took custody of his body." Source is Al Jazeera report, but was available in any video on 1 May 2011. Victorianist (talk) 04:12, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Early reports said the 24th, but that alleged fact disappeared after the speech. It would be nice to find out the precise LOCAL date and time for whatever "today" means in this case, and its UTC equivalent. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:21, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

The "one week ago" quotation was about when the US received the information that Bin Laden would be holed up at the compound. It didn't go anywhere. People mis-heard.

latest on death

Two days ago OBL aged 54, was killed by a small team of US special forces at a luxury compound 50km north east of Islamabad ,the capital of Pakistan.The body is in the custody of US forces.Pakistani special service forces have been watching the villa for some time -some reports say a month.It appears that President Obama was informed before the US team stormed the villa and killed OBL in a firefight(not a drone fired from a Predator drone as previously reported).It took 2 days to make a postive DNA identification using a sample provided by one of his many sisters.

According to CTV News, Obama tried to make it clear that none of the people involved were American. I think we should avoid saying who was involved at all until we know for certain exactly who actually was involved. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.69.129.43 (talk) 04:09, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

If you watched his actual statement he said Americans were involved. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.161.93.125 (talk) 04:11, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

CNN is reporting that it was a helicopter raid by US Navy Seals, and "that the entire operation only took around 40 minutes" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.63.61.188 (talk • contribs)

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

To quote from the article on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (before the table of contents):

“ In 2011, the British news agency, the Telegraph, received leaked documents regarding the Guantanamo Bay interrogations of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The documents cited Khalid saying that, if Osama Bin Laden is captured or killed by the Coalition of the Willing, an Al-Qaeda sleeper cell will detonate a "weapon of mass destruction" in a "secret location" in Europe, and promised it would be "a nuclear hellstorm". ”

That article includes citations. Seems like this might merit mentioning in this article? TerraFrost (talk) 04:03, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Unless it actualy happens no. Try Death of Osama bin Laden.©Geni 04:18, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Nuclear hellstorms? we've had those already, but not in Europe and not because of Al-Qaeda. — Rickyrab | Talk 04:26, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Sas148, 2 May 2011

{{edit semi-protected}}

Osama bin Laden did not die on May 1st, 2011. It only announced that he had been confirmed killed on May 1st, 2011. He was killed several days ago. I am unsure of the actual date, but I know he wasn't killed today, May 1st, 2011.

Sas148 (talk) 04:45, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

 Not done