Bin Laden dead; Justice has been done

Osama bin Laden

President Barack Obama announced that he gave the order for a targeted attack on Osama bin Laden’s Pakistani compound today. That attack has led to the death of Bin Laden and the recovery of his body by the U.S. Military personnel.

If you were alive on Sept. 11, 2001 you will never forget where you were when terrorists attacked New York and Washington D.C. Now we have another date to remember – May 1, 2011, the day Osama bin Laden was killed.

President Barack Obama announced in a brief statement on Sunday night  (10:30 Central Daylight Time) the demise of the Al Queda leader at the hands of U.S. Special Operations forces.

“I can report to the American people and the world that we have killed Osama bin Laden, a person responsible for the murder of thousands of men, women, and children,” Obama solemnly said.

He went on to explain that when he took office he directed CIA Director Leon Panetta that the capture or death of Bin Laden was a top priority. This past August, the President was briefed on a possible lead that Osama was alive and hiding deep within Pakistan. After months of intelligence gathering and discussion, Obama said he was satisfied there was enough information to bring Bin Laden to justice.

“Today we launched a targeted attack on the compound,” Obama said. “Special forces killed Osama and took custody of his body. Justice has been done.”

He said the Pakistani president and military were essential to the military operation and assisted with the effort to locate Bin Laden. He thanked them for their cooperation and for the service of the thousands of military men and women who have served in Afghanistan, taking done the Taliban and fighting in the border regions between the two countries.

While the death of Bin Laden is a watershed moment for Americans who  have wondered for almost a decade as to where the terror leader was, Obama called for sobriety.

“His death doesn’t mark the end of our effort. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad,” the President said. “We we never be at war with Islam. Osama was not a Muslim leader. He was the murderer of thousands of Muslims also. His demise should be welcomed by all who honor peace.”

In addition to his thanks to the Pakistani government and our military, Obama thanked those who lost love ones on Sept. 11.

“We have never forgotten your loss or wavered in our commitment that we would bring Osama to justice. Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and our people.”

President George W. Bush issued a short statement following a call from Obama concerning the military mission. It read, “I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission.  They have our everlasting gratitude.  This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.  The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message:  No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”

The news broke at approximately 9 p.m. when the press was notified of a unscheduled appearance of the President. Speculation was high – was he making an announcement concerning Libya, nuclear war, another terrorist attack? It wasn’t until congressional staffers began to leak information that the network news announcers began to run with the headlines of Osama’s death.

No matter what side you are on – whether America should have gone after Bin Laden in the first place or waged a war on terrorism, you cannot dismiss Bin Laden’s impact on our country and the world.

Bin Laden shaped the last decade of American foreign policy, air travel, preparedness and politics. President George W. Bush’s presidency was reshaped by the attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, leading to the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Alliances have been strengthened and strained and thousands of American, Afghani and Iraqi lives have been lost in the battle.

Obama has been dogged by both Democrats and Republicans on his promises to end the wars and to find Bin Laden. Now he has the good luck to announce the end of this scourge on the world.

What are your feelings about the death of Osama bin Laden. How will this change our foreign policy or will it? What is our next step in this region of the world?