Christopher Orlet makes a compelling case for finding and terminating Osama bin Laden. The logistics of completing the circuit in this case are daunting and as yet unproductive, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. To showcase bin Laden’s bullet-riddled body — or better yet — to ignominiously hang him with a rope would send a potentially decisive message to those Islamists or Democratic congress — people who would believe the U.S. is not the strong horse. Certainly, other vermin would rise (or sink) to replace bin Laden, but the necessary message would have been delivered. It also does not appear that other Islamist “leaders” who have gotten their 72 virgins the hard way have been elevated to martyr status in such a way that our task in the Middle East has been made materially more difficult. Saddam and Sons and Zarkawi are simply now missing from the equation and apparently no one rallies around their martyrdom. So it should be with bin Laden.
p>How to do it then? Inasmuch as Islamic “culture” is a hyper-macho, hypersensitive honor cult, let’s try to get bin Laden to show himself, rather than searching the trackless deserts and mountains in which he hides. Insult him and his minions personally, publicly and massively. Impugn his brand of Islam. Question his manhood and courage. Photoshop pictures of him with young boys, Paris Hilton and Nancy Pelosi and drop the whole mess all over Pakistan, Afghanistan or whatever -Stan may hold him. Do this long enough, and loud enough, and bin Laden may make a fatal mistake or decide to make a stand. Rambo hasn’t worked; so try Don Rickles. He could probably use the work. br> — Deane Fish br> Altamont, New York