Cosa Nostra

You should never underestimate
the predictability of stupidity
--Snatch (2000)

--How can John Wayne die?
--Fuckin' Indians got him.
--Donny Brasco (1997)
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Naval History magazine (12 Feb 12) featured an article by Retired Captain Dick Couch, "SEALS: From Vietnam to bin Laden," featuring a section titled, "Special Ops Forces, SEALS, and the bin Laden TAKEDOWN" (emphasis mine).

The magazine is a publication of the U.S. Naval Institute, and as such is a reflection of official policy. Try as Ranger might, there are no references in any of his Special Operations training manuals for the military option, Takedown.

Our politicians have already spoken of "Taking Out" military targets, Like Osama bin Laden. When did these wrestling and mafioso terms enter the lexicon of accepted military terms or practice? What's next? Shakedowns? Are we gonna "whack" or "make" somebody?

The closest military action is a raid which has a military purpose and is within the rules and practices of warfare. But raids are not conducted in the bedrooms of "castled kings," even if they are terrorists. The OBL mission was pure theater (see "The Greatest Show on Earth") and political in nature. If "takedown" equals simple assassination, then yes, it was a takedown -- one that violated the sovereignty of Pakistan and accomplished little or nothing to the benefit of increased security in the U.S.

The USNI has compromised its integrity when it sanctions articles that use the terms of thuggery to describe military actions.