Give Unto Ceasar What is His (Comeuppance)

I know the removal of Bin Laden was necessary, but I can't get excited about a murder that should have happened nine years ago for a few reasons.

First, Bin Laden has had ten years to watch as an entire country adjusted itself and live in fear based on his cowardly, horrifying acts of terror. He's also had plenty of time to name and indoctrinate a successor. I have a hard time believing that Al Quaeda has shrunk despite the "war on terror".

Second, when 9/11 happened, there were many horrifying news reports. One of the most disturbing (to me) was the video afterward of people in the middle east reveling in the deaths of Americans. My cynicism tells me that it could have been unrelated footage or even propaganda footage, staged for effect.

I'm not sure we're offering up similar fodder to the rest of the world; I'm not sure Bin Laden had any sympathizers outside of his organization. I do know that I would much prefer a simple headline to a day long celebration.

Finally, I wish we weren't lionizing this guy. He was a coward who hid behind his faithful and brainwashed soldiers and took credit for their despicable deeds. Such focus on him likely sparks a fire in others with a similar mindset. Worse, airport security is more and more ridiculous, our government is systematically removing teachers but adding soldiers, and I am more concerned about a terrorist attack today than I was on Saturday.