Like most Americans this week, we were astonished, astounded and gladdened of the news that one of the worst criminal minds in the world had finally been brought to an untimely end.
The fact that Osama bin Laden has been hunted down, routed from his lair and killed can’t be seen in any way but as a positive for the United States. Our admiration goes to all those who planned and executed the successful operation to get the perpetrator of the worst terrorist act on U.S. soil.
Perhaps even more important than bin Laden’s death may be the intelligence the team picked up from his compound. Supposedly, several computer hard drives were taken during the raid, and may help the U.S. prevent further attacks all over the world.
But once the pride in our country over the incident begins to fade, it’s our hope that citizens don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. While the leader of al Qaeda is dead, his organization will probably live on. Who next will take his place as America’s Most Wanted, and what plans are in the works to retaliate for bin Laden’s death?
And while we urge vigilance, we also hope that his death doesn’t trigger a further tightening of invasive security measures. Airport security is already bad enough, we don’t see the need for a new Patriot Act and its attached potential threats to personal freedoms.
In all, however, it’s a good day for the United States. Our hope that the elimination of Osama bin Laden and the capture of his intelligence information signals a good tomorrow too.