I wonder if the news just announced of an event that took place on direct order of the President of the United States, will change the mind of this guy I know, and so many others like him, who believe that our president is a secret Muslim terrorist who wishes to destroy our country.
My guess: no.
As was said, as I listened, by a woman whose husband was killed on 9/11, it doesn't seem right to celebrate the death of a person, but in this case it most certainly does. I await with great interest learning more details of the intelligence gathering, the mission, and the orders that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden.
No way to know, at this point, to what extent various factors were at play; but I've argued here many times that, in the battle against terrorism, having friends abroad is an important factor. Despite the way it's been characterized by the RWS™ and this guy I know, the extent to which Barack Obama has reached out to mainstream Muslims can only be a good thing; and since the early word is that the operation began with a "tip," one might be correct in assuming that our perception as willing to work with moderate Muslims, and not at war will all of Islam since Obama took office, could have been a factor in the willingness of whoever it was to cooperate. To all but the teabaggRs and the entire class of RWS™, it would seem an obvious point. (That guy I know considers Obama's statement that we're not at war with Islam to be damning. I consider it to be the opposite, obvious, and wise.) Was it a factor here? Who knows?
Another thought: Obama knew all of this was afoot, remaining silent, while all the bullshit attention was being paid to the Trumped-up birtherism.
Likely, there will be threats of reprisals, increased security measures -- maybe even attacks of retaliation. But -- too easy to say, maybe -- worth it.
And, given the poison suffusing our politics since the election of a black man as president, I await with a certain paradoxical eagerness the response from the RWS™; how Fox "news" will spin it. (They won't be able to erase this, though.)
No question: an amazing occurrence. Stunning. Needed. Deserved. Requiring further reflection.
