Bin Ladin Dead

Last night in Abbottabad, Pakistan, United States Naval Seals, the same group once called Cheney's "death squad" and while there are mixed accounts of what actually happened, the death of the figure head of Al Qaeda will obviously have some implications.



The death of Osama bin Laden means a lot, mainly closure to victims of 9/11 and some political clout for Obama. On the other hand the death of this one man, it did not end America's "war on terror" though there are many that believe that this should be the end. Osama's death did not mean increased financial future for the united states, nor did it change our terror alert and above all else it does not make America Great. The world seems to be in a bit of a state of shock, like the strange silence in Boston the first hour after the Sox won the series for the first time in memory so many years ago. Some have a sigh of relief like certain moderate Muslim leaders and some are happy yet hesitant to celebrate for fear of the upcoming retaliation. My big question, what's next? This has been the highest priority of the intelligence community of the United States' since Bush's first term. Now that they have accomplished this task they have to be looking further down the list of "Most Wanted." There is obviously still a lot to do but my wonder is how to repair our ailed relationship with the Arab world and how to steer the course with that changing world since the Arab Spring which has been amazing and awe inspiring.

I find it very amazing that this hopeful revolution has gone throughout the Arab world and affected so many areas. While I am Jewish and support the State of Israel, unlike my Israeli friends I am overjoyed by the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah in Palestine as a result of the push of the people. I really hope that all players realize that legitimization also means responsibility and expectations, I am excited and on pins and needles and hope that the Osama death will fall to the waysides to the bigger and more important story of the changing of the face of the Arab world.

There is this really great fake Martin Luther King quote spreading around the internet, and while it is not a good or direct quote, it is poignant none the less.

"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
~ (not) Martin Luther King Jr