I was sitting at my computer doing some video editing late last night when I got a text from my Mom saying that President Obama was going to speak at 10:30 or 11:00.  Obviously this seemed to signify that it was something certainly out of the ordinary and that it was of a "breaking news" nature.  So I quickly logged onto the internet to see what was happening.

The headlines on all the major news sites were talking about the Libyan riots over the bombs that killed Qaddaffi's son.  I assumed that was what it was about and texted that back to Mom who replied by saying that Geraldo was going nuts on Fox.  The thought of Geraldo going nuts didn't cause me any undo surprise, so I went on about my business. 

Then I got the text: bin Laden is dead. 

Maybe it's morbid, maybe it's a character flaw, maybe it's unprincipled to admit it, but I immediately pictured those poor people in the upper floors of the World Trade Center...those poor innocent and scared children on the airliners...and my heart leapt with anticipation for the news to be true.

The media had confirmed the story before the president spoke, but it didn't matter.  I wanted to hear it from him.  And when I did, I'd have to admit that it made me a little emotional with a feeling of contentment, pride and satisfaction for all the sacrifice that has been made these last several years. 

And I am beyond thrilled that it was a U.S. military operation, carried out by our best and most skilled, that conducted the operation. 

Word is now emerging that President Obama turned down a March bombing of the compound that could have gotten him because he wanted to be able to confirm Osama's death.  Good call.  And further word has surfaced that this wasn't to be a capture attempt.  Good call.  This wasn't to be a drone bombing or a kidnapping escapade.  It needed to be exactly what it was.  Our boys against him and his minions...with us - every last one of us - left standing.

The war on terror will obviously go on.  In fact, it is entirely likely that al-Qaeda will seek to ramp up their activities and their violence in the near term to show the world that they are still relevant.  As a result, our vigilance must remain undaunted.  But there can be no mistake that this is a crushing blow to the enemies of America.  This is a tremendous victory for our military, our intelligence agencies, our administrations past and present, and our people.