Really the only bad news here is that he died of a head shot.  That’s too quick.  Not enough suffering.  But our Navy Seal Team 6 ended a decade-long manhunt this morning in Pakistan in a brief firefight that ended with Osama bin Laden and one of his sons dead.  More good news?  Not one of our Seals was lost in the operation.  And just as Muslims celebrated the attacks of 9/11, flag-waving Americans gathered outside the White House to cheer the news last night. 

We’re going to be hearing more details of last night’s raid as the day goes on.  I was particularly heartened by the news that bin Laden was given the chance to surrender to the Navy Seals.  He refused, and was promptly shot in the head.  I’m hoping that the gun was pointed to his head when the invitation was issued and declined, and that the last thing bin Laden saw was a muzzle flash. 

While were celebrating the death of this Muslim goon, and as the details of the raid continue to come in, there are a few things to consider:  The threat of revenge and opportunities to advance the cause of peace with the Islamic world.

Revenge?  Of course!  Amid the celebration it doesn’t take long to realize that various factions of radical Islam are going to want to respond to the death of bin Laden with attacks on America and Americans.  The State Department has already issued a warning to Americans traveling around the world … telling them, in essence, to watch their backs.  Homeland Security forces will be on high alert for any threats or attacks domestically.  Radical Islamists are going to want to exact revenge … and they know they need to strike quickly.  Why quickly?  Because they know that our Navy Seals came out of that bin Laden compound in Pakistan with boatloads of intelligence in the form of documents and computers.  Al Qaeda operatives around the world know that they may well have been identified and located through the intelligence gathered during the raid.  They are all now targets.  In fact, my guess is that there are operations going on around the world right now to take these people out.  Perhaps they feel that they need to strike while they’re still able.

And what’s this about an opportunity for peace?  I haven’t heard this thought from anyone else, but perhaps this might be the time to reach out to the Islamic world with a message that the United States has achieved its goal of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice … and that now would be a good time to try to move toward peace and cooperation.  Who knows … it’s just a thought.  Perhaps the bigger question here is whether or not this particular president is capable of pulling this off. 

Now … conspiracy theories?  I already heard a few.  Some are suggesting that bin Laden was actually captured some time ago and the announcement is just now being made.  Others will make a big deal out of the fact that there is no body.  Give us a break, folks.  First of all … do you think our military and every military man involved is going to go along with this type of a ruse?  No chance.  And a body?  That’s all we need right now is a body … a focal point for Islamic protests.  The word is that bin Laden was buried at sea.  If so, this was a brilliant move.  If he was captured and held, or if he was buried in a grave anywhere, then the place of his detainment or burial would become a focal point for radical Islam for years to come.  I’m sure there are pictures – and it would be great to see them.  Osama bin Laden with a nice round little red dot in his forehead.

Pakistan?  Bin Laden was discovered in a military town in Pakistan.  He was located less than a quarter-mile from a Pakistani army training facility.  I think we know that Pakistan knew where he was all along … now we find out just how helpful Pakistan was in bringing him to justice.   

We’re going to do an entire hour with Jamie Dupree from Washington on the air today.  Much more information will be available and that’s an hour you won’t want to miss.

By the way … I just loved the chants of USA USA USA from the midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-GTUyUNVjE