Classic Rant #495 (May 2, 2011): Osama, Obama ... Osama, Obama

I woke up this morning to hear the news that according to President Obama, public enemy No. 1 Osama bin Laden has been killed in Pakistan.

He was the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorists acts, and his death has brought joy to the streets.

In New York alone, thousands came to Ground Zero, site of the former World Trade Center, and danced and sung the night away.

People are rejoicing all over the world at this announcement.

So, what does this really mean?

Well, for one, I think the U.S. should be on the highest terror watch now. A lot of people, sick as they are, think that bin Laden was a hero--including many poor, sick souls in this country--so we better be really careful over the next few hours, days and weeks.

Another thing. We always assumed we knew where he was hiding out. Pakistan is supposed to be a country that is friendly to the U.S., especially when it comes to hunting down terrorists. Are you telling me they couldn't have weeded this guy out years ago? I would question Pakistan's resolve against terrorism, and withhold any money from them until they fess up.

For a lot of people, the circle has closed. He was the guy behind this horrible plot, and his actions, and the actions of his henchman, changed the way we live.

Prior to this day, did you ever see armed guards on every street corner?

Did you have to go through a screening process at the airport that was akin to getting a physical at the doctor's office?

Did we ever live where we had to keep one eye forward and one eye on our backs?

He, and the actions of others, changed everything.

Wiping this guy out isn't going to necessarily change anything, it actually might make things worse.

But he had to be found, and since he put up a fight, he had to be killed.

No, it won't bring back those that perished during that horrible day, but it does amount to some retribution.

Those people did not die in vain, whether bin Laden is alive or dead.

But now that he is gone, well, I believe we are all better off, even if it might not appear on the surface that we are.

And bravo to our servicemembers, who put their own lives on the line by weeding this guy out.

Let's all celebrate their efforts.