For just tonight...
I'm not going to be the least bit shy, meek, or mild in expressing my thoughts about today's big news - like y'all expected anything else from me! ;D
As much as I was shocked, horrified, and broken hearted on that beautiful fall day nearly 10 years ago, I was as happy this morning when my morning radio silly guys led their show with the news of OBL's death. If that makes me mean & hateful, then I'm mean & hateful today. I continue to be mindful & grateful to Americans in harm's way, their families, the thousands of people who have died over the last 10+ years, and for the brave men who rid this world of a monster. International terrorism & threats against this country and its people won't go way by a long shot, but I'm going to enjoy this feeling while I have it.
There are actually a few other notable deaths that occurred on this date: Leonardo da Vinci, Senator Joe McCarthy, and J. Edgar Hoover! Ain't THAT quite the trio?!
Now, it's time for SPARK! Here's a great slideshow for the day, boys & girls! The death of a "man" near & dear, I'm sure, to OBL's heart was also announced on this date...in 1945. Finally, in news related to why there was no diary Friday evening... I'm still betting that programming decision was a Phil Griffin one! ;D
On with The Rachel Maddow Show!
"Not in the Border Region, Not in a Cave" - Oh...forgot something I wanted to mention above! No one can tell me that higher - ups in the Pakistan military and/or government didn't know OBL was where he was; I WANT OUR AID MONEY BACK!
Pakistan's top military dude declared victory over terrorism last week?! HA! Pakistan is still trying to claim that the effort to get OBL was a joint effort with us. Yea, let's get them Navy Seals to Pakistan's government!! Wow, I didn't realize and/or remember that a lot of these AQ creeps were found in big 'ol cities in Pakistan.
I wonder if anyone went to OBL's place to ask for a cup of sugar or anything? :D When we helped arm OBL against the Soviets, the "middle man" were intelligence officials from Pakistan. Richard Engel is giving his 2 cents' worth on the day's big news! Rachel asked what happens next with Pakistan. Uh, I don't think my suggestion would be FCC - approved.
How 'bout we at least stop giving them money???!!! Yea, how 'bout the fact that we didn't tell Pakistan what we were planning to do? Huh... Richard thinks the AQ "franchise" efforts will take a hit because OBL's dead. Well, they might, but you might also have a lot of bat$hit AQ all around the world deciding they need to avenge him. Richard also says it's not common for sea burials for Muslims. Well, ya' know, we don't need any sparkin' shrines to him; trying to actually bury him on on the QT would've been damn near impossible. Heck, even Saudi Arabia didn't want him! Richard thinks a lot of thought in the Muslim world concerning OBL's demise is "Good riddance!"
Wow, people in the White House Situation Room saw live video & live audio of what happened in that mission. I can't even imagine.
"Most Wanted" - OBL was on the FBI's Most Wanted list for a long damn time. So, who's gonna get that reward money - the courier dude? Oh, there's Richard Reid - the dude Daniel Pearl was trying to investigate when he was kidnapped & murdered. I wonder what his family's thinking today? Only 1 post - 9/11 attack or attempted attack was in any way directly linked to OBL. So, those behind all the rest of them are still alive & kicking.
"Most Wanted Part Deux" - Ayman Mohyeldin works for AJ - America; he's giving his summation of the reaction to OBL's death in the Middle East. The symbollic nature of AQ has taken a hit, but there are so many factions within that network there's no way to see a unified reaction in that part of the world. Mr. Mohyeldin said Pakistan is & was in a lose - lose situation. Yea, well, I'm crying a river.
"Life During Wartime" - Before 9/11, our military budget was less than half of what it is now, it was a little easier to get on a plane, etc. Oh, and there's that torture & spying on private American citizens, too. Rachel gave a stunning & depressing review of life in our nation & in our government post - 9/11. I had no idea that Paul Rieckhoff was a 9/11 first responder! He went to Ground Zero last night & said it was "sobering." There were lots of firemen, cops, and veterans there, too. Paul thinks there's a great opportunity to maintain the unity so many feel now - especially between those who have sacrificed so much in the last nearly - 10 years & those who have not had to sacrifice nearly as much - like GWB & his damn golf game.
Rachel was in front of the White House last night, too?! NEATO!!
"5/1/11" - Look at all the joyous people from last night from all over the country! :D That national anthem singing may have been off key, but the people knew the words!! :D :D
"We Will Kill Bin Laden" - There's President Clinton chatting up OBL years ago. Wasn't that when the GOBP claimed he was trying to distract the country from the Monica shtick? And, GWB, you didn't get OBL "dead or alive"; YOU LET HIM GET AWAY. And, y'all remember who trashed then - candidate Obama when he said he'd act unilaterally to get OBL if he had the intelligence?! His current SOS!! GGGgggRRRrrr...