Relief, closure and solace

By now you've heard the news that the world's most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden, has been killed in Pakistan. I am sure that every American is experiencing a turmoil of emotions, among them relief, closure and solace. I know I am. I will never, ever forget September 11th, 2001, and how I sat rigidly on the couch for 15 hours straight watching the news in a state of suspended horror, as Peter Jennings' voice grew hoarse and a five o'clock shadow crept slowly across his face. I remember calling in to work to say I wouldn't be coming in that morning because of a plumbing emergency at home, and my boss telling me don't bother, haven't you heard the news? America is under attack, the Pentagon is in flames. And then turning on the television and watching in real time as the World Trade Center just... collapsed. Shock, horror and a sense of helplessness, and not being able to fully grasp what I was seeing unfold before my eyes. It was like some big budget Steven Spielberg movie come to life. It couldn't possibly be true. But it was.

And now the mastermind behind that terrible day is dead. It is horrible to express jubilation over the death of another human being, but I will say it: I'm glad he's dead. Even if it doesn't have a huge impact on the Taliban, al Qaida and other radical terrorist groups, I'm glad he's dead. To think of the pain and destruction he caused... well, this is a man who deserved to die badly. I have nothing but gratitude toward the brave Navy SEALs who carried out the secret operation that resulted in his demise, and toward President Obama, who gave the executive order to do so. Thank you, and to all of our troops who have been fighting this endless war on terror, thank you.