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    Death of Bin Laden Inspires Americans to Put Aside Differences

    By Roy A. Barnes | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, May 2, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    COMMENTARY | The long-awaited death of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in Pakistan Sunday broke during the prime time television viewing hours, with President Obama reconfirming this event just after 11:30 p.m. ET. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens got some news that was almost 10 years in the making, and which immediately caused celebrations in the nation's capital and on the streets of the Big Apple.

    Watching Americans on TV in the nighttime gather en masse in front of the White House and in Times Square, the latter with FDNY personnel, showed that despite our political differences, when it comes to getting rid of one of the masterminds of terrorism, Americans are very united. Even from distances far from Washington and New York City, the sights of people cheering, waving Old Glory, singing songs like "Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye," and chanting "USA, USA, USA," the patriotic enthusiasm conveyed electronically was touching indeed.

    How many people thought the leader of al-Qaida would just keep on hiding in the nooks and crannies of Pakistan without ever being brought to some old-fashioned justice? But President Reagan's words of 26 years ago ring so true to be applied to this monumental happening as he once stressed that our nation "sent a message to terrorists everywhere. The message: 'You can run, but you can't hide.' "

    What's been forgotten, at least temporarily, is the fussing over economic conditions, birth certificates, and partisan politics. Just like the post-horrific happenings of 9/11, Americans have once again come together and reaffirmed their pride and belief in this country.

    But with the death of bin Laden comes the issuing of a State Department worldwide travel alert for Americans everywhere on the globe because the al-Qaida terrorist network could very well strike back in retaliation with anti-American fervor. Those planning travel need to be more aware and observant of their surroundings, but we must strive to not allow murderous fanatics to keep us from going about our business.

    Americans are empowered by democracy and freedom, which has struck a blow to the forces of terrorism.

     

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