Showing Respect for a Killed Adversary's Religion

The question that will immediately haunt the Obama Administration, following the killing of arch-villain Osama Bin Laden, will be the disposition of the body. My guess is that many in America, hell bent on revenge or simply opposed to everything the president does, would have wanted Bin Laden's remains hung upside-down in Times Square for a week or so.

Instead, he was buried at sea by those who killed him, the CIA and Navy SEALS. Here's the New York Times' explanation: "Muslim tradition requires burial within 24 hours, but by doing it at sea, American authorities presumably were trying to avoid creating a shrine for his followers?" Showing respect for the religious tradition of this man and its millions of followers is smart, respectful and quick.

You might also note that May 1 is significant in that Hitler's death was announced May 1, 1945 (he actually shot himself April 30) and George Bush declared "Mission Accomplished" May 1, 2003.