Bin Laden's Death Met With Shock, Sense Of Victory
CBS NEWS Coverage of Bin Laden's death
CBSNewYork.com coverage of Reaction to Bin Laden's death
CBSWashington.com coverage of reaction outside of the White House
MIAMI (CBS4) - The death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan was met with shock, surprise and a sense of a psychological victory across South Florida.
The hunt for the al Qaida leader who masterminded the September 11th attacks lasted nearly a decade. The events of that day not only led the United States in wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan the also completely changed the country's national security policy.
At the Versailles restaurant in Miami, those showing up for their morning cup of coffee had mixed reactions to news of bin Laden's death.
"For the world it means a lot, for America it doesn't mean much," said one customer. "It's world problem, not an American problem, it's a world problem."
"It's incredible, I don't believe it," said another customer.
A number of CBS4 viewers also posted their thoughts on bin Laden's death on CBSMiami.com.
"Osama is but one of many dangerous criminals and terrorists threatening our way of life and love of liberty. Although a victory to us, we must always remember the phrase, THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE! May God Bless our American Armed Forces and the US Navy Seals who carried out their mission on this glorious day!"
JLL
"This is just a morale victory for people who have been disillusioned about Middle Eastern conflict, let them have that at least then we can celebrate real strategic victories later."
Zane
The announcement of bin Laden's death came late Sunday evening in a news conference by President Barack Obama who said a small team of Americans launched a targeted operation that he approved. Bin Laden's body was retrieved after a brief firefight and later buried at sea. Four other people were killed in the operation including one of bin Laden's adult sons. No Americans were injured in the assault.
FULL OBAMA STATEMENT Read Full Text
Shalom International, a Jewish organization, said it would gather at noon on Monday at Miami's Torch of Friendship in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks. The group said it would hand out candy, "just as the Arabs did while dancing in the streets after 9/11."
