<p>He was not killed today. They didn’t announce it until they were sure. President Obama didn’t say it happened today. He said he was announcing it today.</p>
<p>Yes, the news I have on right now reiterates this happened “today”… would that be May 1st or is that April 30th Pakistan time?</p>
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Seems pretty clear.</p>
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They’re nine hours ahead, so probably May 1st.</p>
<p>I went back and listened again and he did say he ordered it today - I guess they made a visual ID.</p>
<p>They were able to make a DNA confirmation so soon? Wow…</p>
<p>Amesie, I don’t either. I have mixed emotions. I guess the one thing I do feel is pride in our president and armed forces for their persistence, pride in our country for not forgetting.</p>
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Well, I think it’s a good thing. Definitely a thing worth celebrating. It makes me happy.</p>
<p>MSNBC just restarted the speech, if you want to hear it again.</p>
<p>I wonder why it took so long to cap this man. How long have we known of his whereabouts? It’s been rumored that he’s been in Pakistan for years and years. Has he just constantly been on the move? Cave one night, mansion in the suburbs of Abbottabod the next?</p>
<p>"This wasn’t the work of a single president but rather, the work of a large number of individuals including 2 presidents although it would have been more if it came to that. That’s something the terrorists need to understand - in this country they’re not up against a single dictator or personality as they might be familiar with given their own background - they’re up against an entire country that’s largely united in this area and enduring through all of the personalities who may happen to be president, CIA chief, military chiefs, etc.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all of the Americans, including many whose names we’ll never know, and allies who took part in this achievement. There’s more work to do and the danger isn’t over but this was nevertheless an achievement. "</p>
<p>Actually it even spanned three presidents! Clinton, Bush, Obama - democrat and republican unified to fight against terror</p>
<p>9/11 did NOT happen while clinton was president! please stop.</p>
<p>new york city folks (especially those who lost loved ones on that day) deserve to feel some modicum of ‘happiness’ tonight. let them have their celebration! and let this president (and his troops, intelligence staff) have the victory!</p>
<p>as i said, the minimization will be covered by the news media. i’m sure they’re working overtime as we type…</p>
<p>Lurker - You’re right that Osama’s involvement against the USA spanned more than the last 2 presidents but the USA wasn’t as serious about getting him until after 9/11.</p>
<p>If he was killed a week ago, his body cannot be “dealt with in accordance with the Islamic law”. I think he should face the same fate as Hitler did.</p>
<p>I think Lurker was referring to the fact that Clinton authorized the CIA to try to kill Bin Laden – but unfortunately the operation under Clinton was not successful.</p>
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<p>Al Qaeda’s first pass at the Twin Towers was while Clinton was President. We’ve been bedeviled by Bin Laden for three administrations. I wonder if this blow will significantly weaken Al Qaeda. It would be wonderful if this really did serve to sever the head of the snake.</p>
<p>A national news report just stated this happened today (May 1st) at 3:30pm EST.</p>
<p>yes, but the concept of ‘terrorism’ didn’t come to the forefront of the average americans’ consciousness (despite timothy mc veigh and the numerous plane hijackings) until 9/11 happened. so let’s not get it twisted.</p>
<p>" It would be wonderful if this really did serve to sever the head of the snake."</p>
<p>We can only hope it does. I fear there may be an outbreak of further violence in response to this, but it is a good day today anyways. Great speech by the president. One of the first times I’ve felt really proud of him.</p>
<p>My prediction is that the group called “Al Qaeda” will further break up into separate groups. Those in Yemen are different from those in Pakistan, who are different from those in Africa. It was the one leader who had been seen as “striking the blow” that kept them together (in name, at least). There will still be groups called Al Qaeda, but there may be less camaraderie between them. There are no other world-famous figures to take his place; he was a figure-head (hadn’t been a practical leader for a bit), and now the movement has no definitive symbol.</p>
<p>BTW, I have no problem celebrating the actual assassination of Bin Ladin. After the heartbreaking massacre of eight of our troops on a military base in Afghanistan earlier this week, I couldn’t be happier.</p>