One Man's Death

   I know it has been a long while since I have done anything on this blog.  I don't apologize, and I won't make excuses, I just didn't feel like messing with it.  But yesterday, as I got to work and set up my computer, there on my homepage, in a bright red box, was news that both made me very happy, and filled me with a sense of dread.

   The news that gave me such feelings was that the arch-terrorist, Osama bin Laden, was dead.  Killed by our own Military Professionals in Pakistan, and only 30, to 60 miles, depending on the news story, from the Pakistani capital of Islamibad.  And all without the knowledge of the Pakistani government.  At first, I could hardly believe that this was true.  After all, we have been hunting this man for 9 1/2 years, with more than a few "We may have gotten him this time." statements being released.  Then, as the news started filtering out, I came to believe it, and finally was fully on board with the news by the time Obama made his statement about the operation.  (Which, being in Afghanistan, I didn't get to see.  I don't have regular access to TV, and the internet is too slow for any real streaming video.  Hell, it took almost an hour and a half just to watch the speech.  3-5 seconds at a time.)

   At first, I was happy about the news.  The man that orchestrated the deaths of over 3000 Americans in a single incident, and was at the head of an organization responsible for the deaths of thousands more American, and Coalition, Servicemembers, was finally on his way to God to answer for his actions.  This one man, became our symbol of terrorism, of True Evil manifest in flesh.  And here it was that we, Americans, had finally taken him down.  I wasn't the only one to want to celebrate this man's death. 

New York

Washington D.C.

All Americans were celebrating!

Arab-Americans, much maligned in the US for suspicion against them, celebrate.

   People across the world celebrated this one man's death.

India

  Was it like this during WWII when news of Hitler's death got out?  I have no idea.  And that is the only example that I could think of that is even close to Osama's death to compare against.  But this death, and where he was hiding, raises some questions.

   The first one is, how was he able to be, for all intents and purposes, right outside the capital of Pakistan, in an neighborhood that has numerous retired Pakistani Military officials living in it?  In a HUGE, and expensive, compound within walking distance of Pakistan's version of West Point, and the Pakistani Intelligence and Military didn't know?  (Yes, technically two questions, but too related to each other to be separate.)  These guys are supposed to be our resolute allies against al Queda.  We GIVE then a few BILLION dollars every year to help in the War against Terror.  (How much of that money was siphoned to the fight against us?)  There is no way that they could have not known.  Everyone knows who their neighbors are, even if they don't know them personally.  Its just something you kind of notice.  I say that this is proof of Islamibad's duplicity, in and of itself.  Stop sending our supplies through Pakistan, and strengthen our airlift capability, then cut of the money.  Let's see how that goes over.  There have to be repercussions for their actions against us, ally, or not.

   Next question is, who is going to take his place, at least as a figurehead?  We knew who he was, and his position in the organization.  But the man that replaces him, may well be unknown for years to come.  Or the one presented to us will be just for show, so that we target him, and not the real replacement.  (They are not stupid, if they were, things would be much easier.)  

   Question Number Three.  What are the repercussions to this going to be? Because, unlike most people, the Islamic Extremists idolized Osama.  He was their symbol against the evils of the West, led by us Americans.  

 Angry PAKISTANIS (Our Allies?)

There is going to be a rise in violence against us, you can count on that.  But when will it come?  They have learned that Western populations have extremely fickle, and short, attention spans.  I think they will wait until we let our guard down because "nothing has happened."  After this, we can never let our guard down, until the last rat has been exterminated.  After all, we have to be lucky 100% of the time, the terrorists, just once.

 Death Waits in the Dark

   Finally, hats off to our CIA, and Military, that were involved in this operation.  Excellent work!  While I have not seen any reports about any casualties from our side during this, with the exception of one Blackhawk, that had to be destroyed, I am hoping there were none.

   To my brother Nightstalkers, NSDQ!  You have shown, time and time again, why you are needed.  And you do it all shunning attention for it.  Just know there are some of us that know and pray for you.

   For the SEALs, God Bless You.  The world can sleep securely at night because of you.  

   And the CIA, well, I normally can't stand to say anything good about them, but in this case, I have to admit it.  It was your hard work and dedication that really made this operation possible.  Without your efforts, around the world, we would live in a more dangerous place.  A heartfelt "Thank you."

   To those of you vowing vengeance on America because we made true on Pres. Bush's promise of no matter how long, or where you hide, we will find you, piss off!  And in the immortal words of Ash, from Army of Darkness, "Come get some!"  We are ready and waiting.