“Osama bin Laden, the long-hunted al-Qaeda leader and chief architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, was killed by U.S. forces Sunday in what officials described as a surgical raid on his luxury hideout in Pakistan.”
Osama bin Laden killed
“By Joel Achenbach
In his final moments, Osama bin Laden had a choice — something his victims weren’t given. On the airliners, in the towers, at the Pentagon, innocent people suddenly had no way out. But bin Laden had an option. He could have surrendered. He refused, and the Navy Seals did what they were trained to do…
“It’s ominous that bin Laden was living so openly in a walled compound down the street from Pakistan’s version of West Point. Of course the U.S. didn’t tip the Pakistani government about the impending operation.”
(CNN) -- Americans celebrated early Monday in a show of patriotism against the man who committed his life to attacking U.S. citizens, while those directly affected by Osama bin Laden's terrorist plots quietly reflected on the closure finally gained from his death.
In front of the White House, chants of "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" filled the night air, and the quickly growing group spontaneously broke into an off-key rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Cassi Creek: In the immediate aftermath of the WTC/Pentagon attacks, American citizens were infuriated by video tapes showing celebrations in the streets of Ramallah, as would-be-Palestinians voiced their approval of the murders of thousands of Americans of many faiths by Islamic extremists, funded and directed by Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda organization.
I shared their anger at the murderous event and at the response by approving thousands. To me, such mob behavior is not a hallmark of civilized people.
Last night and today, American citizens are the ones behaving like a mob of religious extremists celebrating the death of an enemy. The display of mob behavior has little to do with patriotism. This is far more akin to a teavangelist anti-mosque mob intermingled with drunken fans taking to the streets after some meaningless athletic competition.
These chanting mobs are not a display of patriotism. That actual display involves thousands of Americans working quietly in the background, in defense department roles, in intelligence gathering roles, and in every day police and security roles. It came about quietly and continues to be quiet.
There is now some public confusion over the role and presence of Pakistani intelligence and military personnel on the ground with U.S. troops. I suspect the initial U.S. denial of any cooperative efforts is correct. Our military would not care to risk Pakistan blowing this operation as the Afghans did at Tora-Bora.
I take no pleasure in bin Laden’s death but believe it was justifiable and appropriate for the time and place.
Last night we dined on tandoori ribs, buttermilk-potato dumplings and saffron couscous. Tonight we will have a pot of pho with thinly sliced beef.
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