Last night, as my wife and I waited for "The Amazing Race" to air, we learned that President Obama would be speaking to the nation in 10 minutes (about the time the show would start). We immediately changed the channel to CNN and learned that high level sources were confirming that Osama bin Laden was dead. In the 30-45 minutes that followed, we learned that bin Laden had been killed by US Operatives in Pakistan, that his body had been recovered and confirmed to be bin Laden's. We listened to President Obama describe the events leading up to bin Laden's death, and then watched as several hundred people staged an impromptu celebration in front of the White House. The latter gave me chills when the supporters began singing The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America, as had been done on 9/11 by the entire Congress (I had chills then too).
Justice was finally served with respect to bin Laden. But, as is with all bits of satisfying news information, we must stand vigilant to the continued threat of terrorist attacks, from within and from abroad. Our nation is built on many freedoms - many which we take for granted, and which others around the world both envy and despise. Bin Laden was only one of many terrorist leaders who have come and now gone. Unfortunately, so long as there are human beings in this world who believe that their way is mightier or that others must bow to their opinions, there will be others similar to bin Laden.
And, importantly, especially after reading so many "tweets" and "comments" via social media over the course of the day, we must not politicize the death of bin Laden. The work of many political groups, Democratic, Republican, and others, were all responsible for bringing about the capture/death of bin Laden. No, I am not a fan of President Obama, but his administration certainly deserves much credit for continuing the efforts already being made from prior administrations (and not just the Bush administration, but Clinton, elder Bush, Reagan, and beyond) to seek out and destroy terrorist campaigns which have threatened US citizens here and around the world. I applaud President Obama for the courage to continue such campaign, even though many others repeatedly tried in vain to limit such efforts.
Today, the news of bin Laden's death brings continued hope and optimism that freedom and peace will someday prevail here and around the world. Will it? Only time and continued perseverance will tell.
