Obama deserves credit for making tough call

It was a very brave move for President Obama to authorize the helicopter/SEAL mission to kill Osama bin Laden. It would have been much safer to just blow away the compound with multiple predator drone attacks. That is what Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush would have done.

Clinton had his chance when he knew bin Laden was attending a meeting with a prince in the Arab Emirates in the '90s. Clinton blinked.

Bush turned down Gen. Tommie Franks' urgent request for 800 Ranger troops to be sent to Bora Bora to cut off bin Laden's escape from Tora Bora to Pakistan, which he was able to do two days later. Bush blinked.

The night mission of a long helicopter flight avoiding Pakistan raiders and then assault on a fortified compound was fraught with risks. Just ask President Jimmy Carter about the dangers of this type of mission.

Hats off to Obama, the CIA, the Defense Department and, of course, the helicopter pilots and the Navy SEALS. God Bless America, Go USA.

Obama has nerves of steel and speaks softly but carries a big stick.

Col. William

Peterson

USMC, Retired

North Liberty