Death of Bin Laden's a turning point

At a time when it is, for some reason, fashionable or trendy to consign the United States of America to second-class status, once again our strength and leadership are on display for all the world to see. Whether it is leading a rescue mission to save trapped miners in Chile or killing the most notorious terrorist in the history of the world, the United States of America will always be a beacon of strength and a force for good throughout the world.

Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn
 

With Osama bin Laden's death comes a wave of relief for Muslim Americans. Bin Laden was an enemy to America and, consequently, an enemy to Muslim-Americans.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA has long conducted a Muslims for Loyalty grassroots campaign to inform tens of thousands of Americans that Muslim Americans are loyal Americans. And this sense of loyalty must be spread across America.

On this day, as any other day, I am proud to be an American.

Salaam Bhatti, Bay Shore

Editor's note: The writer is a member of the Muslim Writers Guild of America.
 

While I'm very happy that bin Laden has been neutralized, I don't get it. They immediately buried him at sea? There are going to be more Osama sightings than there were Elvis sightings.

Now that the Donald Trumps of the world don't have the birth certificate issue, they are going to have a field day with this. I hope more comes out about this story.

Micky Curry, Massapequa Park
 

While the tragic events of 9/11 will never fully have closure, let's hope that the families of those who have lost loved ones will finally feel some semblance of justice.

Bob Buscavage, Moriches
 

My beautiful sister Dianne T. Signer was murdered by this man on Sept. 11, 2001, but to see Americans climbing telephone poles, screaming and raising fists in the air reminds me too much of the way animals kill and celebrate.

As Americans, we are better than that. This is something that needed to be done and finally was achieved. We must find a better way to celebrate this victory in a more civil, classier and American way.

John F. Signer, Holbrook
 

The news about the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of special U.S. military teams is the best news that we have had relating to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The United States vowed that it would hunt him down and bring him to justice dead or alive.

While this will not bring back the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who died on that terrible day, at least it is sending a message that our country will never allow terrorists to escape unpunished for their horrific crimes. President Barack Obama is to be commended for executing this military operation, which eliminated this mass-murdering fiend.

Our nation and its citizens still need to be vigilant; there is no doubt that al-Qaida will attempt to strike back to avenge their leader's death. We will be ready for them.

We owe all of our brave servicemen and women a deep debt of thanks for all that they are doing, and a special thanks to those brave soldiers who were involved.

John Amato, Fresh Meadows
 

What I got out of this was how powerful new media is. Twitter users knew about and started discussing the death before it was even public on TV or other websites. It almost made Obama's speech seem like old news when he finally got on TV.

Ben Ratner, Great Neck
 

President Barack Obama said the remains had been handled in accordance with Islamic custom, which requires speedy burial.

On Sept. 11, 2001, I guess our nearly 3,000 victims were also buried in accordance with this custom.

Viviane Koenig, East Northport
 

Some might call it buried at sea. That term should only be used for deserving persons. I prefer to think of bin Laden as being flushed, like a rat.

Andrew Colen, Coram
 

Sunday evening brought great news for the United States of America and its citizens. As Americans gathered around their televisions, a tremendous sense of pride swelled throughout our country. So much so, that Americans throughout our nation took to the streets to celebrate our freedom and remind our enemies that we fear nothing and will never rest in the global war on terrorism.

There is simply no barrier or amount of time that will keep us from hunting down our enemies and either dragging them kicking and screaming to justice or sending them straight to hell. Over the last decade, many Americans have claimed that too many of us have forgotten the atrocities that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. In fact, the feelings of sadness, anger and even rage have simply been lying dormant.

At a time when there is a great deal of domestic unrest due to a struggling economy and opposing political views in America, the actions of a handful of brave American warriors halfway across the globe have united us.

Ken Bombace, Manorville

Editor's note: The writer is the president of the Suffolk Police Veterans Association.
 

Osama is dead. Long overdue and too many years have passed, diminishing the effect of killing the monster. Al-Qaida has diversified since 9/11 with affiliates throughout the world. The United States and other nations have seen the results of homegrown terrorists who came of age during the manhunt for bin Laden. The terrorist threat unfortunately continues.

The compound that became bin Laden's cemetery was close to Pakistan's capital and near a military installation. The numerous claims by Pakistan's intelligence service and government that bin Laden's location was unknown to them must be questioned. Reports that the United States acted without prior notification to the Pakistanis clearly indicates our government's lack of belief or trust in them.

It is time to realize Pakistan for what it is, a terrorist threat to western nations.

Edward Horn, Baldwin