Osama bin Laden: DEAD

We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense. And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken -- you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
-President Barack H. Obama
Inaugural address on January 21, 2009


Regardless of your political affiliation, the death of Al-Qaeda leader (and 9/11 mastermind) Osama bin Laden is a great thing for this country! I can't help but feel a sense of unity in America tonight since ---well--- the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

And I would be remiss if I didn't convey a HUUUUGE thank you to the men & women in our military and intelligence community! These folks have sacrificed so much over these past several years, while asking little in return. I couldn't be more ecstatic for them and their families to see some of that exhaustive effort pay off. Godspeed, folks!

But with any big story, there are political ramifications to be sure. Many are already speculating (and in the case of the MSM, rejoicing) on the enhanced prospects for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. There are also many GOP supporters lamenting Obama's remarks to the nation on Sunday evening, essentially saying the President took sole credit for this victory. At the same token, there are a few political leftists snickering over this grand announcement taking place on the 8th anniversary of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech. And I myself have questions, specifically the intelligence that lead to bin Laden's death in Pakistan. What if the information of his whereabouts was obtained through some sort of enhanced interrogation techniques used on Al-Qaeda operatives? How does President Obama reconcile this to many of his ardent supporters who vehemently oppose such actions, dubbing them "torture?"

As far as I'm concerned, all that can be set aside for a day.

The fact of the matter is bin Laden is dead! Despite the fact that scores of terror suspects had been captured or killed under both Bush and Obama administrations, the fact bin Laden was never confirmed dead remained the proverbial specter hanging over the Global War on Terror. And while in the grand scheme of things bin Laden's death is merely symbolic, it does bring great peace and comfort to those who lost loved ones as a result of the 9/11 attacks. That is one aspect we should not underestimate at all.

There are so many other thoughts racing through my head in the mere two hours since I first heard this news that I can barely compose this particular post. Alas, there will be plenty of time to digest those.

Once again, Osama bin Laden is dead!! Despite the fact there is little that politico opposites can agree upon these days, we can honestly say that there is cause for joint celebration as this week begins!

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