Result of Osama Bin Laden debate

CLDS members decide the United States was wrong to kill Osama Bin Laden

A big thank you to those of you who were able to make it along to last Wednesday's debate and I look forward to hopefully seeing many more of you at our upcoming debates throughout the year. Our four speakers did not disappoint in what was our best attended debate in the history of the Central London Debating Society. Thank you again to Paul, Simon, Shaughan, and Olly for your equally outstanding performances. Victory ultimately went to Shaughan and Olly, though as the motion was decisively defeated. The full results are shown below.

Full results of Wednesday night's debate

Motion: This House Believes the US was right to kill Osama Bin Laden - Wednesday 11 May 2011

Proposing: Paul Carroll, Simon Stiel
Opposing: Olly Glover, Shaughan Dolan


Preliminary Vote: For 9, Against 12, Abstentions 3

Main arguments:

Proposition: Osama bin Laden was an important field commander and status symbol for Al-Qaeda. His death deprives them of an important resource.
Opposition: Al-Qaeda does not operate in a centralised manner. You can't just cut off the head an watch it die as it has no one head. Dead he works very well for Al-Qaeda as a martyr.
Proposition: Giving Osama bin Laden a fair trial would be impractical as there would be many attempts to rescue him. And in the end he would still end up dead.
Opposition: We believe in the right to a fair trial for all, no matter how obviously guilty they are.
Proposition: As an enemy field commander at a time of war Osama bin Laden was a legitimate target.
Opposition: You can't declare war on Al-Qaeda therefore Osama was a fugitive on the run. Shooting him while he was unarmed was therefore illegal.
Proposition: The Navy Seals who attacked the compound had to assume that they were under a severe threat as one of Al-Qaeda's main weapons is suicide bombings.
Opposition: They only encountered one armed guard. They could have used stun weapons to capture Osama alive.
Final vote: For 6, Against 16, Abstentions: 2

Motion DEFEATED.


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