Happy May Day!

I know some people are conflicted, but personally, I think it's a glorious day.

I lived in Flagstaff in 2001. I remember a semi trailer that sat in a field alongside I-17, just north of Phoenix. There were streamers waving from poles on each corner, and stencilled across the white side was "THE YANKS ARE COMIN, BIN LADEN - KISS YOUR BUTT GOODBYE!"

It has taken nearly ten years, but we have delivered, in an operation nearly elegant in its precision. Osama Bin Laden is dead. The message is clear: no matter where you go, no matter how long it takes, WE WILL FIND YOU. Justice is inescapable.

A cloud that has hung over this country for almost ten years has dissipated. Now, I'm sure no one thinks the terrorist threat is over. But I'm confident that our military is steeled for the retalitory blows we anticipate. I believe that we are in no greater danger than we have been.

I don't speak for those most deeply affected by the September 11th attacks. But we as a nation were attacked, and I believe each of us was wounded. For me, the death of Bin Laden feels like the debridement of that wound, that now it may heal properly. We have closure.

This is not just a victory for Americans, but for Muslims. Not only because the vast majority of Al Qaeda's victims post-9/11 have been Muslim, but because Bin Laden has soiled the Islamic faith with his atrocities.

I feel no guilt at celebrating the death of a man-turned-monster. Justice has been served. A reign of terror has ended. Though I don't expect we'll see immediate effects, I have no doubt that this is a turning point in our war on terrorism.

I'm also pleased that his remains were disposed of respectfully. There was a point when he was without sin, just another child of God. Though the lesser parts of us may have wished for capture, torture, for a body dragged through the streets, I'm glad that we rose above that. That we showed the nation of Islam our respect.

I respect those who disagree with me. It's okay if you don't want to celebrate this death. It's okay if you don't feel safer in a world without Bin Laden. It's even okay if you're disappointed that his death was quick and clean, or that his remains weren't desecrated. But please respect my right to my opinions.

Let's not use this as a reason to fight. Let us be one nation, under God.