Killing: A means to stop violence rather than escalate it?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;59916]This is not really about terrorism, the USA needs pakistan to controll the areas where they can get oil.[/QUOTE]
While this is obviously simplified, I agree with the basic premise.

Osama may have been insane, but our insane desire for fossil fuels created him. We are ALL responsible for what has transpired.

If it was justifiable to kill Osama Bin Laden, where is the cutoff? Is it justifiable to kill the people who lied to us so we would invade Iraq and were responsible for the deaths of countless innocents (FAR more than Osama). Is it justifiable to kill the executives who had a part in the BP gulf oil spill? Is it justifiable to kill each and every one of us who drives or flies and is constantly polluting this amazing planet? Can someone quantify for me where this magical cutoff is? Or is it just our insane minds justifying our insanity as they always do so that we don’t evolve.

#22

I don’t know what to say, but if I had met Osama Bin Laden, I would have killed him with my own hands and would not have hesitated for a second. I think he could have been stopped years ago, just like many other terrorists. It’s often politics and corruption that puts people in danger by preventing to deal with terrorists effectively. People are dying constantly because of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Kashmir, Bangladesh, Tripura and Nagaland. A lot of this doesn’t appear in the news. Nobody mourns their deaths. We should fight against terrorism, not fighting will hurt more innocent people. Pakistan is a terrorist country, the problem is that the USA is supporting them to fight terrorism, but indirectly they are only sponsering terrorism. Stupidity like this is only costing more lives.

#23

I agree with the author of the original article. When I heard the news, I was not happy, was not jubilant, was not dismayed, was not impacted but rather was just a little surprised at the sadness I felt. He did need to go. He was a tool that encouraged and motivated people beyond human reasoning to kill thousands of innocent people for some sick “ideal”. He had to go. I am sad that a person had to die to make this possible. The true sadness is in the necessity to kill a human being because there is no other way to stop them from spreading hate and evil of great magnitude. No, people who do stupid, damaging, thoughtless, greedy things do not deserve to die, David. Only when there is no other course given and the person in question is fomenting a great amount of evil and hate in the world (Hitler anyone?) does it need to come to this. And it is not one person’s decision.
I think we can all agree that it was more than even one government’s decision that Bin Laden should die for his crimes and his fomenting of hate and terror.
There are some things that cannot be and should never be tolerated.

#24

Well said Joanna63!!! How sad that we are reduced to this but one man’s death will save many.

#25

My mom used to say: if you squeeze a pimple, 3 more will pop up in its place.

#26

[QUOTE=The Scales;59803]Looks like me and the Lama got an understanding…it aint’ all just puppy dogs and rainbows of love down here.

[B]Dalai Lama suggests Osama bin Laden’s death was justified[/B]

[I]Speaking at USC, the Buddhist spiritual leader says of the Al Qaeda chief’s assassination: ‘Forgiveness doesn’t mean forget what happened.’[/I]

By Mitchell Landsberg, Los Angeles Times
May 4, 2011
As the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the 14th Dalai Lama says he practices compassion to such an extent that he tries to avoid swatting mosquitoes “when my mood is good and there is no danger of malaria,” sometimes watching with interest as they swell with his blood.

Yet, in an appearance Tuesday at USC, he appeared to suggest that the United States was justified in killing Osama bin Laden.

As a human being, Bin Laden may have deserved compassion and even forgiveness, the Dalai Lama said in answer to a question about the assassination of the Al Qaeda leader. But, he said, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forget what happened. … If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures.”

Please click here for the REST of the story . . .

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0504-dalai-lama-20110504,0,7229481.story[/QUOTE]

So says the Dalai Lama that doesn’t swat mosquitoes but enjoys his steaks. :rolleyes:

#27

[QUOTE=The Scales;59692]Fragging Bing laden = Righteous Action.

You will not convince me other wise.[/QUOTE]

First of all, english is not my first language and I really don’t know exactly what fragging means but I guess it means killing. Assuming this is correct then I don’t agree with you, but I don’t expect you to be convinced by what I now have to say.

While I can’t say that his death made any personal difference to me it would have been so much better if he’d been brought to court. This is the right time, with the “Arab awakening” and all. Even the high-up nazis who were caught alive after WWII got a trial, it’s the way we’re supposed to do this. That’s why Osama is the terrorist and American troups are not.

Or, that’s how it’s supposed to be. That’s why we’re supposed to fight this “war on terror”, because there’s something to fight for. If we keep on devaluating that which we fight for all the time then in the end it’s just about power and then it doesn’t matter to me at all anymore.

#28

I think that killing him will just bring about more death and destruction. When someone has committed a crime they should be tried in a court of law. We should preserve and uphold the legal system which is one way of stopping a nation from descending into anarchy. Letting him face a trial and then a sentence would have been justice. Killing him was revenge. Revenge will feed the vicious cycle, that is how I see it.

#29

As much as I am opposed to the death penalty I would find it much more acceptable if he’d been brought to court, tried and then sentenced to death. And I don’t think that would have made much difference to him bbut it would have made a great difference for us who oppose the people who are like him.

#30

Lets look to the word Yoga ,to yok, to find union with our true selves, to remember that we are not separate from the people or the world around us. So for me the want or need to kill just perpetuates the violence for others and in myself. The practice of compassion and observation are the means to stopping the violence. I hope osama gets a chance to change and let go of the suffering that causes hate, violence, revenge, pride…

#31

[QUOTE=Terje;60530]As much as I am opposed to the death penalty I would find it much more acceptable if he’d been brought to court, tried and then sentenced to death. And I don’t think that would have made much difference to him bbut it would have made a great difference for us who oppose the people who are like him.[/QUOTE]

Remember how much hoopla there was when Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting? This from a mere lightweight pop actress. Can you even imagine how much greater the hoopla would be if Osama was brought in, imprisoned and awaiting trial? There would be such chaos in the streets of every city that it would be overwhelming, with consequences more terrible by a hundred-fold. There would be many, many more deaths - from riot police, trampling, rapes, horrible opportunists taking advantage of the situation to loot and kill.

Although it is difficult to condone the execution and body dump, I’m not sure there was any other option. These terrible deeds done by both sides - where does one lay the blame? What came first; the chicken or the egg?

#32

[QUOTE=Josh;60582]I hope osama gets a chance to change and let go of the suffering that causes hate, violence, revenge, pride…[/QUOTE]

Since he supposedly left the planet of his earthly form I?ll assume you mean his next existence?

#33

Yes where and what ever his next existence is. The important thing to me is our reaction. If it’s one of rage we become that rage if its one of compassion then in that moment we become compassion. That gives other a platform for them to find and become compassion. So peace may spread.