I wonder if those who think Bin Laden should have had mercy would have felt so kindly disposed towards him if one of their rellies had been killed on 9/11?

Principles and beliefs often override feelings, T.  At the same time, I woulkd question your use of the phrase 'so kindly disposed towards': I think that arrest, trial and the inevitable sentencing to death might actually have been a harsher treatment.  There is no sitting around and being humiliated in shooting on sight.

Also have to agree, surprise surprise, with the comments that Rowan Williams has made.

Terrorists usually have to face trial? No they don't. They usually die in a shoot out.

The majority of terrorist 'foot-soldiers' might die in shoot-outs, but not terrorist 'generals', pow wow.  Just look at some of the Balkan leaders, etc., even Saddam Hussain.

This is starting to get creepy. I'm getting the feeling there's some closet Osama sympathizers here abouts.

What I find creepy, is the way in which some people scream about the injustice that Osama and Al-Queda mete out, yet then scream again when the injustice they accuse such folk of, is meted out to them.  As several folk have already noted: 2 wrongs do not make a right.

If one lives by the sword it's only fitting that you die by it.

very Old Testament!