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Garrett Fogerlie

World Religious News

Osama Bin Laden is Dead, Transcript

Below is a transcript of remarks by President Barack Obama on Sunday night, announcing the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden, as provided by The White House:
11:35 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history.  The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world.  The empty seat at the dinner table.  Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father.  Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace.  Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together.  We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood.  We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country.  On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice.  We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe.  And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort.  We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense.  In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support.  And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan.  Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.  It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground.  I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan.  And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.  A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability.  No Americans were harmed.  They took care to avoid civilian casualties.  After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies.  The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort.  There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us.  We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam.  I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam.  Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was.  That is what we've done.  But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding.  Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts.  They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations.  And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight.  It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens.  After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.  These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war.  Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed.  We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies.  We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror:  Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome.  The American people do not see their work, nor know their names.  But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country.  And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11.  I know that it has, at times, frayed.  Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete.  But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.  That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are:  one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.  May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.

Osama Bin Laden Is Now Dead

It's hard to think of the right word to use, I guess I'll go with Finally.

Osama Bin Laden if finally dead! A religiously motivated leader of some of the worst religious inspired heinous acts of this century is now finally dead.

Take a look at this article by Liz Sidoti from The Associated Press:


WASHINGTON (AP) — At last, something big to celebrate and lift America's mood.
A nation surly over rising gas prices, stubbornly high unemployment and nasty partisan politics poured into the streets to wildly cheer President Barack Obama's announcement that Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted man, had been killed by U.S. forces after a decade-long manhunt.
The outcome could not have come at a better time for Obama, sagging in the polls as he embarks on his re-election campaign. For now, at least, he is assured of a big political boost, something that could strengthen his hand as he heads into a big battle over federal spending with Republicans who control the House.
Outside the White House, hundreds of people chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" and waved American flags. And in New York City at ground zero, where al-Qaida downed the twin towers, a crowd broke out into song, including renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "I'm Proud to be an American."
The joyous response won't last forever but on this day, the nation's spirits were lifted and a country sharply divided along partisan lines seemed united much as it was in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that bin Laden orchestrated.
That was not lost on Obama.
"Let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people," Obama said Sunday in a late night statement urging the nation to come together again.
Former President George W. Bush had promised to get bin Laden dead or alive but wasn't able to achieve his goal. Obama picked up the challenge and, as a candidate for president, vowed that "We will kill bin Laden."
Obama's persistence — and success — makes it more difficult for political foes to question whether he is tough enough to do whatever it takes to keep America safe, and whether he's experienced enough to be commander in chief.
For Republicans seeking the presidency, it will more difficult to question his strength on national security and foreign policy.
Perhaps reflecting Obama's enhanced standing if not newfound respect, even Republicans praised him.
Said Rep. Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House: "I commend President Obama who has followed the vigilance of President Bush in bringing bin Laden to justice." And former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an all-but-declared presidential candidate, congratulated Obama for "a job well done."
Beyond America, bin Laden's death sends a clear signal to the rest of the world about the persistence of U.S. power and that no one is beyond the United States' reach.
To that end, Obama put the world on notice, saying: "We will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies."
But while bin Laden's death closes one chapter in the U.S. war against terrorism, it also opens others and raises a slew of questions.
—Will the relationship between Pakistan and the United States be strong or weak once the dust settles? The United States did not give Pakistan advance notice that American forces would stage the raid.
Bin Laden was found living in a huge fortified compound in an affluent Pakistani town about 60 miles from Islamabad. The compound was located about 100 yards from the gates of a Pakistani military academy — certain to raise questions about al-Qaida's ability to build a custom-made hideout in such proximity.
—Will bin Laden's killing make the United States more likely to pull its troops out of Afghanistan?
The 2001 attacks occurred on George W. Bush's watch, and triggered the war in Afghanistan as the United States went after bin Laden. As president, Obama made the Afghanistan war a top priority, and boosted the numbers of troops there. But many Democrats no longer support that war, and even some Republicans want to withdraw troops.
—Will al-Qaida try to exact revenge on the country that killed its leader and hit U.S. soil again?
Bin Laden's death was a major blow to al-Qaida foot soldiers. Even so, the State Department put U.S. embassies on alert and warned of the "enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan."
Said Obama: "There's no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must — and we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad."
And, for now, at least united.
Liz Sidoti has covered national politics for The Associated Press since 2003.