Osama Bin Laden's "luxurious mansion"

[roger]

Most of the pictures are exterior shots and even those are being seen through video compression that makes the garden in particular look worse than it is.

We are also seeing pics that were taken after the place had been visited by US SEALs and the packistani millitry authorities. Neither if which did any good for the fabric of the house.


About all we can tell from the pics is that it wasn't palatial but it was habitable. Between those two extremes it's impossible to draw conclusions

Actually, we have the 'home videos' as well. Equally dumpy (compared to a 'mansion').

 

[elgarak]

It sure beats a cave, though.

 

[JudeBrando]

Does this thread have a point beyond the rather obvious claim that media outlets in the west sometimes repeat an incorrect but relatively unimportant detail in reporting a breaking story?

Yes, it was to get half-a-dozen grumblers to grumble. Thank you for your grumbling.

Lastly, why did you start this thread in the Politics sub-forum.

Oops. Big deal. I have no problem with it being moved. Who cares? But look at it this way- at least it gave you something more to complain and post about.

Are you somehow asserting that the White House was behind this erroneous reporting?

Yes, of course, surely I must have had some stealthy, nefarious and hidden agenda in an ulterior motive. It couldn't have merely been a simple and valid observation regarding the typically lazy and groupthink press.

 

[Skeptic]

(Shrug) I would say "mansion" is pushing it, indeed, but if it's such a huge conspiracy, why would they publish numerous photos of the place? Just an inexact word in the context lazily copied from writer to writer.

 

[JudeBrando]

It does look like a dump.

Indeed. Certainly not a "luxurious mansion." That's all.

The Daily Mail is a rubbish newspaper that promotes all sorts of woo.
...It is a jumped up gossip rag for white collar workers who would be too embarrassed to be seen reading the Sun on the tube.

So what? It had some more pictures that everyone looked at. The end...
The National Enquirer, hardly a much-esteemed bastion of serious journalism, accurately busted John Edwards, with repercussions yet to come.

But at least I learned something new. Some of you are seriously hung up against The Daily Mail even where it makes zero consequential difference.

You know, much as I agree with darn little that Jude posts, who cares if he linked to a bad source? It was a valid conclusion. The news media did repeat, "mansion" over and over, some still using it. They even created the usual apologies, "it was very large for Pakistani standards", or "large for the neighborhood".

Thank you even for that qualified statement of agreement, Skeptic Ginger, and seeing the simple point without unnecessary contention... even though the thread will not be winning a Pulitzer...

It sure beats a cave, though.

Not necessarily.

http://www.google.com/search?q=cave...iWCA&sqi=2&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=931&bih=547&uss=1

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

I have a bit of satisfaction that it appears from the recovered material so far that Bin Laden was in the equivalent of a prison awaiting his death sentence.

 

[kerikiwi]

It sure beats a cave, though.

You haven't been to Coober Pedy, have you?

 

[eeyore1954]

For Pakistan, it was pretty impressive. I don't have time for remarks about disorder after the SEALs had had their way with the place. Stuff gets tossed around a bit.

The grounds inside the walls seem to be laid out for a vegetable garden rather than a lawn. I can see why they would like to grow their own veggies if they can.

This thread is rather pointless, really.

It is not impressive as far as luxury homes in Pakistan go.
http://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...mes&gbv=2&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=pakistan+luxury

You will see a lot of luxury homes there the Bin Laden "residence" is on page 2. When you see it figure out which of these things is not like the others.

People with a lot of money in Pakistan can live quite well.
It was impressive for a well protected compound.

 

[Mojo]

Someone first declared Osama's pad to be a "mansion" and "luxurious" and then the media immediately and unquestioningly regurgitated that description repeatedly. Why?

 

[Duffy Moon]

The Daily Mail has its uses.

Indeed.

Soft, strong and thoroughly absorbent.

 

[Bikewer]

I wonder how the dialogue with the real-estate agent went.

"Yes, it is a real fixer-upper, my friend."

"No matter...Tell us more about the wall..."

 

[Joey McGee]

Sounds great, there's a giant field of dope right beside the compound, right up to the wall. bin Laden was just baked all the time that's why he hasn't pulled off any good terror attacks. "As the Daily Mail reports, it has long been speculated that the Al Qaeda leader suffered from kidney failure, which would allow him to get a prescription for medical marijuana in many U.S. states."

Colbert": No wonder no one in that town knew he was there. They were more baked than a Tandoori chicken," ."And if anyone said 'Oh my God, I think I saw bin Laden,' their friend would just go, 'Dude, you're being paranoid. Hand me the Nestles."

 

[Bilbo]

I kinda liked the place. It was very simple, had a nice garden, and great views from the 3rd floor. (not to mention the great security wall)

I just can't imagine he didn't have any internet access...what with proxies and all, who would know if Bin Swimmin was checkin' his email? or watching some redtube?

 

[JudeBrando]

But then again, what aspect of this story hasn't changed, apart from the dead part?

 

[EventHorizon]

Apparently he paid a lot more than it was worth for that place too. He's gonna be underwater for a long time!

Well played.