As a civilian with limited knowledge of USAF doctrine and international law I'm having trouble understanding where the argument comes from on the Bin Laden apologist side. I was under the impression that as the leader of an organization who had formally declared war on the US, Bin Laden was a legitimate target of any military action that did not violate the Geneva Convention. Does this mean that they would consider it illegal for a spec ops squad to take out any enemy commander in times of war unless you give the poor bastard a chance to surrender? I appreciate your patience in advance.