A day of courage and valor

Opinion: May 3, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Idaho Statesman: Al-Qaida’s war against America did not begin on Sept. 11, 2001, with the terrorist attacks that left nearly 3,000 people dead.

America’s job of defending herself from terrorism did not end on May 1, 2011, when a small team of U.S. special forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in a mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

But on this one day, justice was delivered — with one tactical strike, with the polar opposite of the indiscriminate attacks engineered by bin Laden and carried out by his like-minded zealots.

Bin Laden’s death does not bring a conflict to conclusion, but it does provide a measure of closure.

Job not finished

Miami Herald: The world is a safer place without Osama bin Laden.

His death brings both a strong dose of relief and understandable satisfaction. Bin Laden was a mass murderer who lived by violence. Deservedly, he met a violent end. The man whose ideas launched a thousand deadly attacks and spawned scores of terrorist cells has been brought to justice at last.

The death of bin Laden should reinforce the U.S. determination to stand with the advocates of democracy in the Middle East and elsewhere. It should also give heart to the guardians of our safety on whose vigilance and dedication we rely. They must persevere until the rest of al-Qaida is buried along with bin Laden.

Justice has been done

Newsday: Justice has been done. Enough said.

Yet it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the sheer triumph contained in the news — out of the blue — that Osama bin Laden has been slain by American forces in Pakistan.

Nearly 10 years ago, after the 9/11 attacks, it was common wisdom that there would be many more, but since then al-Qaida has mounted none of significance on American soil. And while the focus for too long had shifted to the costly sideshow in Iraq — the pursuit of which contributed to the mess in Afghanistan — behind the scenes, the hunt for bin Laden continued unabated. Persistence paid off. The dispatch of this evil megalomaniac to his overdue martyrdom will not end the war against al-Qaida. Yet it’s a gigantic blow against a vicious enemy. And it puts other al-Qaida leaders on notice that, even though they aren’t strapping on any explosive vests, they too have volunteered for a suicide mission, for no one is beyond the reach of our wrath.

There may be further attacks by al-Qaida. And no doubt new leaders will spring up to replace the one whose death was so long in coming. But ultimately all of them are destined to fail, for al-Qaida’s mission is as futile as it is quixotic. Death should never be a reason for joy. But justice, at least, is worth celebrating.