The problem with the flotillas

Christopher Hitchens writing in Slate: At a time of widespread democratic and pluralist revolution in the region, Hamas imposes its own version of theocracy on Gaza and seems otherwise aligned with the forces that stand athwart the hope of continued and deeper change. Who wants to volunteer time to make this outfit look more presentable? [...]

OBL’s 5th wife in Pakistani hospital; US and Pakistan spar over custody

This contradicts previous reports that the woman with bin Laden was not his wife, and that she died in the raid. Via the Telegraph: Amal Ahmed al-Sadah, who was shot in the leg during the raid, is being treated at the military hospital in Rawalpindi, according to reports on the Arabic news network Al-Arabiya. It [...]

“Deather” conspiracy theory claims bin Laden not dead, or was never alive to begin with, or something

Via Brian Smith and Byron Tau in Politico: [W]hile [a] watery grave may help diminish bin Laden’s status as a martyr to his followers, it was already fueling conspiracy theories; as the administration resisted releasing even photographs of the slain terrorist leader on Monday, a predictable haze of myth and rumor had already, inevitably, begun to [...]

“…he was a very good guy”

Al Jazeera TV on the Afghans who mourn Osama.

White House counterterrorism adviser: “Inconceivable” OBL had no Pakistani aid

Via The Hill: President Obama’s top counterterrorism adviser called it “inconceivable” that Pakistan was not providing a “support system” for Osama bin Laden, who was killed Sunday in a raid in a mansion north of the capital city of Islamabad. “We are pursuing all leads on this issue,” Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan said [...]

Top Egyptian cleric condemns OBL burial

Via Reuters and Yahoo News: The head of Egypt’s prestigious seat of Sunni Muslim learning, al-Azhar, condemned U.S. troops’ disposal of the body of Osama bin Laden at sea Monday as an affront to religious and human values. Muslims set great store by interment in permanent graves on land and accept burial at sea only [...]

OBL buried at sea, raising question as to whether US abided Islamic burial customs

Via AP and kmov.com: A U.S. official says Osama bin Laden has been buried at sea. After bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. forces in Pakistan, senior administration officials said the body would be handled according to Islamic practice and tradition. That practice calls for the body to be buried within 24 [...]

Osama bin Laden is dead

10:50 PM-President Barack Obama will address the nation momentarily on the death of Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, founder of the Sunni terrorist organization al Qaeda, 19 members of which planned and executed the 9/11 attacks against American military and commerce centers. ABC is reporting he was killed in a military or intelligence [...]

Former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty announces 2012 bid

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced of the formation of an exploratory committee. Like most candidate propaganda, it’s comically self-congratulating. Tim Pawlenty has been to almost all of the states! Tim Pawlenty put on a jumpsuit and talked to factory people! Tim Pawlenty plays touch football with small children, and his team probably won, because Tim Pawlenty is strong, [...]

Cordoba House initiative names new imam

Via AP: The organization planning to build an Islamic community center near the World Trade Center said Friday that the imam who co-founded the project and served as its public face is shifting out of a key leadership role so he can focus on other initiatives.The nonprofit group Park51 said Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is [...]