Readers take measure of bin Laden's death

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

Shrouded in secrecy: The elite US unit behind bin Laden's killing

Just remember the twin towers in Manhattan. How many lives were taken away? And those planes full of innocent people? You and I are very lucky because we were not between them. Thank God this animal has been stopped. -- Thadeus, Brazil

No. The only possible place you could have tried him would have been Guantanamo. The last thing the world would have needed is any kind of hostage situation or blackmail in exchange for bin Laden's freedom. -- B., Canada

No, I do not believe they should have taken him alive. There would have been too many issues that came up if he was brought alive and the US citizens deserve to have justice with the thousands that are dead because of him, cruel as that may sound. -- Joshua, US

The decision to kill Osama was the right one and the only one. Taking him alive would have only created a different atmosphere for everybody. Besides more money would have been spent to protect him, feed him and house him. Also human right groups would come in to play their own rule that all humans have rights. Kill him and get over it. Job well done Mr. Obama. -- Arrey, US

Germans taken aback by outspoken jubilation over bin Laden's killing

Do you think Osama's death is grounds for rejoicing?

Who cares what happened and how it happened to this inhuman being. He's gone, that's it. Good riddance to the likes of him. -- James, Malta

I completely agree with your editorial. There is no need for targeted killing, and from a Christian point of view it is right to bring and try someone in an internationally recognized court. In my opinion the US is breaking international laws far too often. Thanks for highlighting it! -- Richard, Canada

Thanks Deutsche Welle! Not all Americans take glee in the assassination of Osama bin Laden, in fact I agree with the Rheinische Post, we are not supposed to be a country that performs assassinations. We are supposed to be a country that respects the rule of law, not one that disregards it. I would rather be living in Germany right now than the United States, as Germany better represents my beliefs, hopes and dreams, of what a civilized country should be like. -- Glen, US

As a German-American who served in Vietnam (and in Deutschland), I was glad to see that bin Laden got what was coming to him. The post-WWII German generation may very well be much more conservative and restrained with their expressions for war crimes and killings, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone being proud and waving the flag - any flag - when an animal like that dies! His life is not worth much for the righteous people of this world! Could anyone of these contrary German or European politicians ever imagine the circus a capture and court appearance would have garnered? -- Roger, US

The jubilation in the USA after the news is very sad. A nation that promotes democracy and freedom does not respect the sensitivities of other cultures. The average US citizen is very ignorant and ill-informed. Their culture is based on power and their gun laws and the use of the death penalty are those of a sick nation! -- Ernest, Canada

Criticism is easy. I'd suggest that those who are taken aback by Americans' celebrations put themselves in the shoes of people who have a loved one in the US military, or people who lost loved ones in the September 11, 2001 attacks. They felt shock, horror, and agony after the 9/11 attacks, and now they feel relief, closure, and even glee when they see that the man responsible has paid with his life. Is it morally right? No, but please allow us Americans some satisfaction for killing a man responsible for the deaths of nearly 3,000 of our innocents (in that act alone). With regards to the legality of the operation; please explain to me how the harboring of a terrorist leader is any more acceptable, and then we'll talk about the legal issues. -- Reid, US

As an American myself, I can understand everyone's reaction to bin Laden's death and the way it was carried out. If it had been Germany that was attacked, I believe that the reaction would have been the same. Osama secretly carried out his attack on the US and we're not allowed to retaliate in the same way? I don't always believe in "an eye for an eye," but in this case I do. -- Patricia, US

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Nicole Goebel