Eight years to the day after George W. Bush declared “Mission Accomplished”, President Obama tells us tonight that one huge mission is indeed accomplished. And this time with more hard evidence than last time – and no embarrassing looking bomber jacket. A small U.S. team attacked and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and confirmed his DNA. The president acknowledged the young generation of soldiers who has felt this long-lasting war on terror directly at the front lines, which culminated with some victory today.
Today’s events will probably not end terror, nor religious extremism. Nor will it end the crisis era for the United States. Yet, I feel that this was very well timed. Not only for the president hoping to win a new term in 2012, but also as a moral and dignifying incentive to the brave, democracy seeking citizens who are currently fighting against their tyrants in several countries in the Middle East. For what has bin Laden really done for muslims other than vilifying their reputation and killing them in droves?
In conjunction with the Nobel Peace Price ceremony in 2009, I wrote an op-ed about American presidents and their characteristics, which seem to follow Strauss and Howe’s cycle theory. Unlike his 19th century predecessor Lincoln, Obama’s people didn’t end slavery today. But he did at least put an end to many people’s enslavement to fear. Only history will tell if the threat of terrorism really was embodied in only this one person or if the attack only will breed new Osamas with even more vile plans. Until then, I extend a morbid cheers!
Image: Filipão 28, Flickr