Laden is Dead

President Obama announced Osama Bin Laden is dead on May 1, 2011. Every news source in the nation is reporting on the Navy Seal Operation to capture Laden in a Pakistan residence. It would be nice to say the issue is resolved now that he dyed; however, it feels as though questions are not being asked.

Perhaps in the blaze of media fervor people forgot to ask questions. We know Laden is dead. Is he the master-mind behind 9/11? Were people in Pakistan defending him? Does Osama Bin Laden have a successor?

The CIA uncovered several computers with stored information. We do not know what information is on the hard drives. It might be religious studies, games or a biography of becoming a fugitive over the past decade. Most people are positive Laden is the master-mind behind terrorist attacks. What if he is not?

If it is conclusive he orchestrated 9/11 or even funded the terrorist group who orchestrated 9/11 terrorism it is not over. A growing current of suspicion is developing towards the Pakistani Government. Reasonable to be suspicious, while Laden's appearance is abnormal in the United States, it is not unusual in Pakistan. He maintained a low profile. There is also a chance closer friends and family believed Laden was not guilty of accused crimes. However, if they truly believed he was not guilty why not turn him over to be judged in court by peers?

The most frightening of the three questions is if he has a successor? If Osama Bin Laden is the orchestrator of global terrorism, his successor had years to develop connections and oversea terrorist activities. His death does not equal ending and antiterrorist defense.

With the media blitz and several unanswered questions it is a relief knowing the United States Most Wanted is dead. However, so many questions must be answered. My biggest fear is people will continue acting on instinct, without facts and invade Pakistan. The invasion could spark a war. Too many people are accusing each other without facts. Not enough people are calmly reflecting on the situation and figuring out how to prevent an escalating war.

The United States is already suffering hardship. Perhaps it will not be the USA, but the Pakistan Government taking a preemptive stance against what appears to be a ruthless foe. Initially I was not sure what it meant. It was a shock and then a sense of relief. Now there is a sense of fear. Something or someone needs to halt this escalation before it is uncontrollable.