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The Spectacle Blog
Well, it took nearly 10 years, but we did it: Our military forces have killed and captured the undisputed leader of a transnational terrorist army committed to our destruction. Yes, Osama bin Laden is dead.
Of course, for all practical intents and purposes, bin Laden has been dead for some time. He’s been operationally neutered and forced to hide in distant, underground caves without any real ability to communicate or to exercise command and control.
Still, the psychological effects of bin Laden’s confirmed death cannot be overstated. He loomed large in the Islamist imagination. And the fact that the United States seemed unable to kill or capture him for so long emboldened our enemies and instilled fear and apprehension in our friends and allies.
I saw this firsthand while serving as a Marine in Iraq in 2003. Not infrequently, Iraqis would ask me about bin Laden. “Where was he?” they asked. “Why couldn’t the mighty United States of America defeat him?”
Thus to some Iraqis — and not only Iraqis, but to many ordinary Muslims throughout the Middle East and North Africa — bin Laden took on an almost mythical status. He was viewed as a sort of Jesse James figure — as a wily and rebellious outlaw who cunningly and miraculously defied the awesome military might of the United States of America.
This gave bin Laden and the Islamists tremendous political power, despite their manifest military weakness. And so it is that bin Laden’s death, likewise, will strike a tremendous blow against America’s enemies: Because the message that has been sent now to everyone worldwide is clear and devastating: The United States won’t quit, and the United States will not be defeated.
Oh, it might take the Americans some time to get their bearings; it might take some time for them to turn things around and to win. But make no mistake: those Americans are unrelenting and indomitable. And if you rain destruction down upon them, they will kill you and all those who are allied with you — maybe not right away, but in time. You can count on it. So act accordingly.
Tonight we pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States, and especially our fighting men who engage in ground combat: because they are the ones who killed and captured bin Laden.
But we also pay tribute to the American spirit, which demonstrated once again, to both ourselves and the world, that the United States truly is the indispensable nation, the guardian of justice, and the champion of what is right. It was so 235 years ago; it is true today; and, God willing, it will be true a century from now. God bless America.
View all comments (22) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by John R. Guardiano
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/05/02/the-significance-of-bin-ladens
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Jocon307| 5.2.11 @ 12:48AM
Agreed.
God bless America.
And thanks to all who helped make this happen.
Timothy L. Pennell| 5.2.11 @ 7:14AM
Where's the BODY?
Kitty| 5.2.11 @ 7:49AM
I'd like to see the video as confirmation. We got to see Saddam Hussein hang.
MarkR| 5.2.11 @ 1:07AM
Good news. And yet... Gotta be honest this is symbolically good and yet potentially we could be entering a very perilous time in the war on terror. It is and has been much more than Bin Laden for a long time now. The global Jihad had a face 15-20 years ago in the face of Osama Bin Laden- and the acts of 9/11 were only the beginning salvo of the war on terror- and Islamo Fascism. People may easily think- We got em- we win- wrong. This war will go on for decades. --But it does show the overwhelming ability of US forces- but I knew that from experience- having served and a son who has done three tours. I love our military and they deserve to celebrate tonight. My only caveat would be a sort of premature elation by many in the civilian ranks over an event more symbolic than strategically significant. My 2 cents.
Occam's Tool| 5.2.11 @ 1:10AM
Now it's time to bury him in Lard.
Timothy L. Pennell| 5.2.11 @ 7:14AM
We can't bury him in Lard. There's NO BODY.
Jeff Perren | 5.2.11 @ 1:39AM
We could have solved the problem you discuss 30 years ago by invading Iran.
Occam's Tool| 5.4.11 @ 1:54AM
Correct. We should have nuked Tehran in 1979.
But the President when we had casus belli was CARTER, who is still #1 for worst US Presidents of the last 100 years (but the all time worst EX-President.).
Tina B| 5.2.11 @ 3:17AM
And then we could have solved it again in 1999, when little billy clinton was asleep at the wheel and OBL was in their sights. But ridiculous rules of engagement and a chicken-weanie afraid of bad PR if we killed civilians along with the murderer prevented this and gave way to 9-11. God bless America. Thanks U.S. Military and families.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.2.11 @ 6:42AM
I wonder if this will upset Senator Durbin?
Occam's Tool| 5.4.11 @ 1:52AM
You mean, "Turban" Durbin?
Timothy L. Pennell| 5.2.11 @ 7:27AM
We are informed by the "I" President, that "HE" got Bin Laden.
"I" ordered the strike against Bin Laden. "I" gave the orders. "I" was in constant contact, at all times. "I" should get all the credit. "I", "ME", "MY".
What? You say you want Confirmation? You want proof?
As is always the case, with The Most Transparent Administration EVER, there will be no Confirmation. There is no Proof. The is NO BODY. It was Buried at Sea, as is Muslim Tradition.
You should be very proud of "ME".
The Economy, the Price of Gas and Food, No Jobs, Record Foreclosures, Bankruptcies, Bank Failures, and the Collapse of the U.S. Dollar, and a Record nuumber of Americans on FOOD STAMPS?
"Don't blame ME".
He's a LYING PUNK, and I don't believe a GODD*MN thing that comes out of his LYING MOUTH.
SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS.
WeMustResist| 5.2.11 @ 8:08AM
You have already overstated the importance of bin Laden's death. It is the life of Muhammed that matters to Muslims, not the life of bin Laden. The latter was temporary. Muhammed is permanent.
Allah's rules are permanent. The eventual triumph of Islam by war is a religious duty. That cannot be overstated.
Ken (Old Texican)| 5.2.11 @ 8:33AM
We Must Resist,
You are going to love my new book.
www.americaalonesaidno.com
In another article I read today, Rick Santorum said "War on Terror is a mistaken focus. Terrorism is merely a tactic."
Sooner or later we have to grasp that we are at war with Islam....paragraph..
Paul Kotik| 5.2.11 @ 8:26AM
Let me get this straight: this is a big win for the USA? Are you kidding?
Osama Bin Laden directed an operation that killed 3,000 Americans and destroyed the iconic center of American capitalist vitality. He triggered two large-scale American expeditionary campaigns ( Iraq and Afghanistan) which have cost thousands more American lives and over a trillion American dollars, and have not been conspicuously succesful. He - one man - eluded the entire American military and intelligence machine for ten years, apparently living in luxury in a charming mansion.
I'd say UBLhas won big-time, and that his death in combat with SEAL's will seal his stature as an Islamist hero, perhaps one of the greatest in all Islamist history.
And, if one perceives that Barack Obama's election was a consequence of the electorate's reaction to the Bush policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, then to that degree Bin Laden also succeeded in bringing down America.
Dan Hirsch| 5.2.11 @ 9:04AM
So they have reported that this was based on intel they got from a Gitmo detainee.
I hope that Barack will "GITMO INTEL FROM GITMO!!!!"
"Ready to lead, ready to follow, never quit!"
And the SEALS gotta get serious about a motto.
Congrats to the SEALS!!! Thanks for your service, men!
Tenn Slim| 5.2.11 @ 9:23AM
Well Said.
Semper FI
end
Tenn Slim| 5.2.11 @ 9:28AM
Comments review
1. Take pleasure in the Military accomplishments. It is no small feat to overwhelm a fortress.
2. Give the 2nd and 3rd level operators in the CIA, USN, DOD some credit. Ops like these are planning nightmares.
3. Give the Obama pols some credit. Understand that this will enhance the 2012 election, but the Lefties certainly played this one to their advantage.
Finally, the article, Justice was served. The USA muddles along but never, ever forgets.
Semper Fi
Karl| 5.2.11 @ 11:12AM
@TLP: There was a little too much 'I' in the speech. 'I' wonder if that will backfire.
Great day to be an American, however. Although no one where I live (Europe) even asked about it (cf. actually receiving congratulations from strangers here on the election of Obama!).
MikEN| 5.2.11 @ 12:48PM
>He's been operationally neutered and forced to hide in distant, underground caves
Did you even read the news reports?
VjRizzo| 5.2.11 @ 1:33PM
Ironic thought to all this: 9/11 was justified by UBL as an anti-western strike on our arrogant and decadent lifestyle. Yet he was killed in his own custom-built, million dollar compound.
How many of his terrorist followers will be killed in similar surroundings? I think this points to how irrelevant he had become to the "movement".
Occam's Tool| 5.4.11 @ 1:52AM
They dumped him in the sea to avoid giving the asshats a place to worship. That's OK, I guess.