Seems logical to me that most (but obviously not all) people would be happy that the person who planned the 9/11 attacks is dead. What's sick about that? Maybe a small victory, as you suggest, but one that I'm glad we achieved.

And it only took a few thousand dead American soldiers with the world's most advanced weaponry to "kill" him.

But let's be real. Nobody except propagandists and flag-wavers have ever really cared about bin Laden. He's never been anything special--smarter and tougher terrorist leaders are operating in the world.

30 days and counting to the US announcement of withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Bin Laden's probably been dead for years.

Glad he's dead. Hope it hurt.

Seems logical to me that most (but obviously not all) people would be happy that the person who planned the 9/11 attacks is dead.

bin Laden did not "plan the 9/11 attacks". That'll always be part of the popular myth, but in fact it was another al Quaeda leader who did that. bin Laden has always been a figurehead for the group, not a strategist or combat leader.

I'll stay skeptical until they release the "long form" death certificate. :p

Is it just me, or is Obama starting to look like Nixon?

Now perhaps attention can be turned to the banksters and similar financial terrorists of Wall St? Before the next, anticipated financial crisis?

Campaign theater, pure and simple. First the birth certificate, then this. I smell a major distraction being manufactured from some really bad news, about to be announced in 3... 2... 1...

OK, I'm not out in the street chanting USA, but piss on Bin Laden. He deserves no more than rotting in the deep dirty hole he dug with his evil stinking hands, no matter when or where he died. Remind me to send some dead flowers in the morning.

The guy was scum, but he didn't matter much, except as a symbol of American military weakness.

careful out there tonight... all the gun fire in the air and theres bound to be an accident

I'd like to think this could be in some way a catalyst for a more peaceful world. But Jack's cynicism is probably more realistic.

It's kind of embarrassing to make a big deal out of it. The world's biggest manhunt was conducted by the world's most powerful military and it took ten long years to get the guy. And he was living in a mansion. Sheesh.

Jack, going to disagree with you here. I was no fan of the either of the wars but if you don't understand the power of this moment and the death of the man who masterminded the 9/11 attacks then I'm going to stop coming to this site. Clearly you're turning into a sad,sad little man. I agree with the one poster who said piss on him.

If you mess with the bull, you get the horns.

The Japanese Imperial Navy, much like Al Qaeda, underestimated America's willingness to engage in a protracted war and suffer huge casualties. They were mistaken.

Perhaps the People's Liberation Army, the DPRK, or Iran will learn from UBL's experience?

My son, and all his buddies, alive and dead, that have devoted themselves to protecting our country, thank you. Especially those worthless and thankless ones sitting warm and comfortable by your computers right now. May you never have to endure the misery.

the power of this moment and the death of the man who masterminded the 9/11 attacks

This moment has zero power, and he didn't mastermind the attacks. But you keep telling yourself whatever you need to to justify the blood lust.

Damn good news. It's been a long nine and a half years for those who were directly affected by this p.o.s.-hope they find a bit of comfort from his death.

Especially those worthless and thankless ones sitting warm and comfortable by your computers right now.

Yes, anyone who doesn't feel really aroused and proud right now is not a real American.

Look, this isn't about servicemen and women. It's about the bulls**t foreign policy propagated by those who send those men and women to their deaths to protect some rich people's money. That's subtle, but think about it again in a month after you've had a chance to realize how empty a moment this is.

Jack,

Never expected you to become an affiliate of Fox News.

daveg

"Damn good news. It's been a long nine and a half years for those who were directly affected by this p.o.s.-hope they find a bit of comfort from his death." Totally agree. As a veteran myself, I feel red-faced that some of the snarkiness on their blog can't give it a rest for one moment to be thankful for something we should really be thankful for. I don't mind the snarkiness most of the time, but be happy for once in your lives folks.

hope they find a bit of comfort from his death

It's chump change compared to what was lost. And the bigger the show about bin Laden, the bigger the boom that will come as we go eye for an eye with the crazies.

an affiliate of Fox News

I would have said the exact same thing if Bush killed this guy: BFD.

Have your big party, folks. Buy the government story. Buy all of them -- see where it gets you.

Just a moment ago 179 comments on KATU's comment board on their story - just at quick glance about 99% positive and supportive. Sorry Jack that the snark can't rest for a moment (whether it's Bush or Obama as President). I'm glad this happened, but what the hey. I'll head over to KATU to celebrate.

"That's subtle, but think about it again in a month after you've had a chance to realize how empty a moment this is."

Karen Joyce Klitzman, innocent victim. 9-11 North Tower.

Sgt Charles Cartwright, USMC.

And you are a bastard. And a cynical one at that.

I don't know your age. But I bet I met you when I came home 40 years ago.

My DI had a name for you: worthless puke.

That's the spirit! America, land of hate.

Sorry, can't join you.

Just a moment ago 179 comments on KATU's comment board on their story - just at quick glance about 99% positive and supportive.

Why in heaven's name do you think I would care about that?

Well, it's a tough one, and yet, it's not. The Christian part of me says it's wrong to celebrate a death, and yet, I find myself doing just that. Yes, it's been 10 years, but look at what he's meant to Al-Qaeda. Every time things seem to head south for them, another tape shows up from the guy. HE's a MAJOR figurehead for them AND the Taliban. While I do expect a possible uptick in attempted attacks from them in retaliation, overall, the front I think is broken. I don't believe the terrorism threat is over, Heck, it's been there for a LONG time. I do think that it's been dealt a serious long-term blow.

As for the politicization of this? Well, For the most parts, BOTH parties are a bunch of opportunistic ass-hats. Spin doctors are at this moment reaping HUGE monetary prizes on both sides.

No, bin-Laden was NOT the architect, but he did set the contract and HIRE the architect. And he did both reap the benefits, and (Thankfully at last) the just rewards for the deed.

Mission Accomplished. Can we bring our troops home from Afganistan now? Please. Let's declare victory and reduce our being spreadout to such a useless place. We've cut special deals with Russians inorder to have troops in Afganistan. Now, if we leave, we can tell the Rooski's to shove it.

You know that's not going to happen.

Party time! Ce-le-bra-tion time, come on!

Allaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....hooooo-
AKBAR!!!!! Bism Allah arahmen araheem...!
Maasalama, bin laden, kelb shitan!

Jack bog, I found this out by opening your blog this evening, and I LOVE YOUR BLOG, with a wild abandon...and no, I have not been drinking, I worked hard all day at my day job, and never have I felt so rewarded at the end of a day of work at my day job.

Maybe I can vote for Obama again after all, if this elated mood can persist until 2012.

It's just another sad episode in a sad series.

Do we even believe Obama?
I wouldn't be so sure.
(The war is over now right?)

Re: "Party time! Ce-le-bra-tion time, come on!"

Triumphalism is for the very young. Look at the crowd spilling out of Lafayette Park: our team has defeated the other team. Consider the increased exposure every American now faces virtually everywhere in the world after making ObL a martyr.

What will be done with his body? Even if it is treated with the greatest respect in accordance with Islamic ritual, it will not be believed in much of the world that it was so treated. A martyred ObL is much more powerful than the man who has been in hiding for years.

Well, there goes a solid Letterman standby joke.

Given our despicable conduct in Libya this weekend, the timing here is awfully convenient. And given that Obama has been just like Bush on so many other matters, one can't blame people for suspecting that all is not what it seems.

Does this mean we are going to stop dropping 500-lb. bombs on Afghan wedding parties now?

Yeah, didn't think so;

Gardiner, gardener...

So many everyday muslims in the world are so happy right now; this event is their light at the end of their tunnel of oppression at the hands of the islamofascist minorities that terrorize their countries day in, and day out.

Have solidarity with those quiet, everyday muslims yolked to the revival of an era of religious inquisition in their part of the world; they were simply unlucky to have been born there, and they deserve every shred of material, moral, and telepathic support we can provide to them. Be happy with them and be happy for them, and be fearless toward the modern day brownshirts.

What I find so sad is that the brave men and women who fought for our liberties and freedom, that all that they fought for has been chipped away, and a big part of it by the "Patriot Act."
You can bet this will be propagandized and I cry for our country, as we are continually losing those very freedoms and liberty that so many died and served for.

. . . and instead of lamenting our losses or pondering over what has happened to our country, we are cheer-leading and carrying on now like we are at a football game.

I detest the jubilant response to this news. But not doing this, giving bin Laden a pass? That was Bush.

It's like the people who go and party outside the prison during executions. Sick.

Does anyone actually think Bin Laden's death creates a vacuum of motivation for terrorists? Or that the only source of anger towards the West is Al-Qaida?

This is a happy but somber moment... we spilled a fortune in blood and treasure to track down this man. We gave him EXACTLY what he wanted and expected. I'm glad he's worm food now, but we have to stop thinking in terms of brand names and wins/losses, as if the details are inconvenient to a good script.

There were people who celebrated the death and destruction of 9/11. Who wants to be like them? I think Obama said it right: justice was done. So now let's bring our soldiers home.

Rob:I don't mind the snarkiness most of the time, but be happy for once in your lives folks.

Can only speak for myself I suppose, but have many happy moments and would have even more if we didn't have a rotten political system nationally and unfortunately locally as well.

Personal happy moments are lessened when we have ongoing wars with other countries and then agendas against our own people by others in our country who don't give a dam.

The Obama Deception HQ Full length version

A more appropriate response....

http://www.arlnow.com/2011/05/02/quiet-remembrance-at-pentagon-memorial/

Wonderful.

This mean we can get rid of the TSA and Napolitano?

Bin Laden is 6'4" and on dialysis and we found him after only 10 years or so. I'm waiting to see how Obama is gonna put this into the campaign.

A sign of the age in which we live: Twitter broke the story. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/51732792-79/athar-abbottabad-town-helicopter.html.csp

WOw, I never thought of Jack as one of those angry liberals who really does sneer at everything america does.

Osama bin Laden deserved to die, and I hope he burns in hell.

This man is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people, most of them muslim. Pakistan alone claims that 30,000 of their people are dead due to this guy and his organization of murderers.

There is plenty of reason for lots of people on this planet to be happy that he is no longer using our oxygen.

Today's news...tomorrow's fish wrap.
That was of course when we had news papers.

Still really happy he is dead today, but celebrating in the streets seems 3rd world to me.

Hats off to the brave military who went in and got him. Don't mistake a quiet demeanor from some with a lack of patriotism. Many would just rather spend a few quiet moments remembering the 911 victims today than screaming from the rooftops.

He's been dead for years.

My wife, who I didn't figure to get worked up over this type of incident, was truly excited about the news last night. She lived in NYC for 15 yrs until 1 mo. before 9/11--could be the reason. I dunno the exact reason, but the fact that we know OSB is dead doesn't seem like justification for another VJ day.

WOw, I never thought of Jack as one of those angry liberals who really does sneer at everything america does.

I don't perceive Jack as sneering at everything America does.
Should we also be proud of the killing of innocent children and wedding parties?
$9 billion dollars just disappearing in Iraq?
Look the list is so very long, and if you haven't been paying attention, most of us who are upset are so because we know what America was and stood for. . perhaps the "sneering" that you refer to is from those who are true patriots and can see our tattered country by those who could care less.

A reader writes:

I want to let you know how sad I feel today. Not because Bin L was killed. He was a horrible evil man filled with hate -- and the world is better off without him. But I am sad to witness on every airwave and in every newspaper the joyful blood lust of my fellow earthlings. We are indeed slow learners -- cannot seem to understand that hate begets hate and that (witness Israel and Palestine) -- and that acts of hate are not to be celebrated. Even when we have to kill an animal for our nourishment -- that is nothing to celebrate -- but an opportunity to understand our complex relationships with all living things on this planet.

It may be reasonable to feel some sense of justice. And if I had lost a loved one on 9/11 -- that would be an inescapable feeling. But Evil is not dead. And the food of the Evil that lives on is our very own hatred and senseless fear and anger.

This is not a day to celebrate.

As John Donne said:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

We're next folks - maybe that is why so many feel the need to party hearty.

My only question is this: Why did Pakistan give him up?

I agree, Jack. The blood lust is just too much!
I don't get the dancing in the streets.
Now being able to board an airplane without an intrusive pat down...then I'll dance.

Poetry...

I wonder if people would have waxed so poetic at the news of Hitler's death, after he got done with the world, to the tune of 100 million dead.

Each man's death may diminish us, as a general rule. And to every rule is at least one exception. A specific exception here might be the death of a death-cult destroyer of innocents.

I have to admit, when I heard the news my first word was "good". It's about time. We've lost thousands here and abroad and have probably spent a trillion dollars (literally) trying to get this one man. I doubt the Seals involved had orders to capture him, unless there was zero resistance, and I'm OK with that as well. Burial at sea? Sure why not symbolically feed his corpse to the sharks (although I doubt that actually happened, and suspect his body is in deep freeze).
But the video images of people chanting in the streets over one man's death reminded me of how I felt when I watched footage of people in bin Laden friendly nations celebrating in the streets over the death of Americans. While I am gratified he was finally eliminated, it just doesn't feel like a celebration moment, like some football game. I guess I never feel a human being's death to be a cause for "celebration", no matter who it is. Bin Laden's execution is a task completed that needed to be done. One that came at an incredibly high price in national blood and treasure. I certainly don't begrudge others expressing their gratitude and relief over it, but I'd rather pray for the safe return of our soldiers still in harms way.

Osama was not a good person...no question about that, but to equate him with Hitler or Stalin is to give the man an importance and elevation he does not deserve.
He should be relegated to the trash heap of history and forgotten as soon as possible, or other evil and destructive punks will want the same veneration in life and in death.

Why do I have the feeling some people would be more elated if Dick Cheney were found dead?

I'm happy they got him.

I'm disgusted by the right wing sites quick to strip the President of the credit of what had to be a difficult decision (anyone remember the Hostage Rescue attempt?) I'm no fan of Obama but he did what he thought was right.

It had to be done.

Now, the winner in this whole sad history was bin Laden. He achieved his goals of getting the US out of Saudi Arabia, and dragging the US into a never ending war, inside and out.

He even went out on his own terms, not as a prisoner, but now a martyr.

Two and a half wars that we know about later, a teetering economy, and unstable Mid East, countless lives destroyed and for what? We killed the guy we were after.

The Iraqis aren't thrilled with the freedom we "brought" them (but the Iranians are happy we weakened their enemy), Karzai seems to be an autocrat who would roll over for the Taliban if he got to stay in power. What a mistake.

Time to bring the troops home. Maybe, Jack, the President's idea was to use this act to fulfill his promise to end these wars so we can divert the money and energy into something better for us and the world.

Doubtful, I know.

He can just move the troops over to Libya.

"Osama bin Laden is dead. This decreases the number of dangerous terrorists who want to kill us to 99,999,999."

The irony is that the US gave Osama bin Laden his start in order to undermine the Soviet war in Afghanistan, which the Soviets were fighting in order to quell rising Islamic fundamentalism on its borders. This long arc of history is far from over and hasn't exactly gone well or according to our plans, has it?

"Why do I have the feeling some people would be more elated if Dick Cheney were found dead?"

Probably has something to do with the relative seriousness of their respective crimes.

bin Laden was killed, "positively identified using DNA", transported hundreds of miles, mysteriously buried "at sea", then a Presidential statement was prepared and read--all in a matter of hours?

When do we get to see the manipulated photos of the "compound" and the "dead" bin Laden? Uh huh.

Honestly, I keep underestimating the stupidity of the average American. My bad.

Hell, even Fox News has repeatedly reported on the fact that bin Laden was never the "mastermind" of anything--he was a financier and figurehead. Others ran (and still run) the al Quaeda show. Those of you who depend on Wikipedia for your college education can even read the story there.

towm,

ObL: Greatest Bad Man or only Great Bad Man?

CNN reports that some of the central intelligence came about because of "enhanced interrogation" techniques over the past several years. Any guess whether Bush's torture policies will be somewhat redeemed by this result?