SOUND OFF: Tell Us Your Reaction To Osama Bin Laden’s Death

May 2, 2011 8:31 PM

New Yorkers celebrate death of Osama Bin Laden (credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - It was news New Yorkers had been waiting almost 10 long years for: Osama bin Laden is dead.

The terrorist leader was shot dead by U.S. Navy SEALs at his compound in Pakistan, where officials said he was hiding in a million-dollar Abbotabad mansion.

Jubilant New Yorkers spontaneously took to the streets at Ground Zero and Times Square Sunday night, waving American flags and chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A.!” It was an unusual moment for the otherwise solemn Ground Zero site: in moments, it became the site of celebration as people began singing the national anthem.

WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell With The Emotional Overnight Crowd At Ground Zero

Cliff Lichter, who works in Jersey City, can’t look at the skyline of Lower Manhattan without thinking back to September 11, 2001.

“I saw that they were flying and I saw the second plane crash and it was unbelievable. Still think about it all the time,” he told CBS 2′s Kristin Thorne.

Lichter, however, has found a certain sense of peace about the the tragedy with the death of bin Laden.

“It shows that the United States finally got the job done,” Lichter said.

However, New Yorkers instinctively knew that one man’s death did not suddenly make the world a safe place.

“It’s more than just Osama, it’s a whole group of people that we have to be afraid of,” Vanessa Gil of Long Island told CBS 2′ Don Dahler.

“I think it’s going to get worse. I don’t think that just because you killed him that it’s taking away the problem,” Dana Laven said.

In Brooklyn Heights, people also remembered that fateful day when the view from their windows changed forever.

“I just think something’s missing. It’s sort of the…something you’ve always lived with and all of a sudden, it was gone that day,” one resident said.

SEE: Fresh Aerial Photos Of Ground Zero From Chopper 880

Hundreds gathered at Ground Zero following the news. Megan Horan was 13 on September 11, 2001, and had just started high school a few blocks away from Ground Zero.

“It just makes me remember the day, that’s all. When I walk down here normally, I don’t feel any strong emotions,” Horan said, sobbing.

1010 WINS’ John Montone reports: Tears Of Joy At Ground Zero

“It’s good for the world. We took the head off the snake, so to speak,” James Vigliatora said. “It’s a beautiful day to be an American.”

“I remember being 17 and saying, ‘I’ll never forget’ and I’ve never forgotten,” one woman said. “The face of my world changed. I was so relieved. There’s so many people who have been working night and day to find one person and they found him. It’s a positive sign and we’re making progress.”

Sean Sheehan, who comes from a family of firefighters and lost his cousin on 9/11, came to Ground Zero from Rockville Centre the moment he heard the news of bin Laden’s death.

WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond: A New Chapter Begins At Ground Zero

“Before, we were all together for despair and tragedy, now we’re together in unison over a joyful time where someone who caused this pain got what he deserved,” Sheehan said.

“I’m elated. It’s a great victory for the United States and for the civilized world,” Debra Burlingame, co-founder of Families For A Safe and Strong America, told WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell.

Burlingame, who lost her pilot brother, Charles, when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, said the terror threat does not disappear with bin Laden’s death.

WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell With Debra Burlingame

“This is the close of a very big chapter,” Burlingame said. “It doesn’t end it but it’s a great relief.”

Families of the victims of 9/11 have felt a jumble of emotions following the death of bin Laden.

“I just never thought that this kind of closure was in the cards for me. I never thought that we would get justice,” Stacy Pelosi, whose father died at the World Trade Center, said.

1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa reports: 9/11 Families Feel Shock And Relief

Ann Ielpi lost her 29-year-old son, Jonathan, a New York City firefighter who died responding to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

She said bin Laden is “burning in hell right now.”

Katherine Wolf, a classical pianist, died in the Sept. 11 attacks at the World Trade Center just weeks after starting a job with Marsh & McLennan. Her husband, Charles, said he never lost hope that bin Laden would be found.

“We beat them at their own game. We didn’t give up. 10 years,” Wolf said. “This man’s evil energy has been taken off of our planet and God is going to throw his soul into the depths of hell.”

WCBS 880′s Steve Scott With Former Taliban Hostage And Current CBS News Analyst Jere Van Dyk

(Download the full interview HERE)

For John Cartier, who lost his brother James in the Twin Towers, bin Laden’s death is bittersweet.

“It’s an emotional roller coaster,” Cartier said. “Him being dead saves other people but it doesn’t bring my brother back. Closure is not the right word for us. Justice is a politician’s word. So this is all about revenge, revenge for the man who murdered my brother.”

Many tears have been shed at Ground Zero over the past decade but Monday morning the site was filled with tears of joy.

“I saw a lot of people really happy that a murderer is dead; someone who took too many lives and lasted too long to get taken care of. He’s gone now,” one man said. “I am so proud of our men and women in uniform.”

WCBS 880′s Steve Knight At FDNY Engine Company 6 Station 49 on Beekman Street

“On Sept. 11 this country changed forever and being here this morning gives me hope and belief that we will be that same country we were before Sept. 11,” Bryan Mannix, of Rockville Centre, said.

One person climbed a street sign on Church and Vesey street, waving an American flag.

1010 WINS’ Steve Sandberg reports: Witnessing History At Ground Zero

A similar scene played out in Times Square, with some celebrating bin Laden’s death by carrying posters.

“It’s really a terrific day for not just America but for the world. To have this cancer pulled from us is the right thing,” said Guy Madsen, 49, who drove to the city from Clifton, N.J., when he heard of bin Laden’s death. “This is judgment day, and we’re winning.”

What’s your reaction to Osama bin Laden’s death? Sound off in our comments section.

SOUND OFF: Tell Us Your Reaction To Osama Bin Ladens Death

TheRealTruth

Osama is finally met his justice. Good News. Credit goes to the SEAL teams who executed a flawless operation!! Obama did nothing but give us a speech riddled with adjectives, flowery useless rhetoric. News which could have been stated in 3 sentences and under 60 seconds. Obama does NOT deserve one gram of credit for the killing of Osama Bin Laden!!! In 2012 I want to see Obama GONE!!!!
Jade

I am disturbed at the amount of people exhaulting in the death of another human being regardless to who they were. We in fact as a nation condemned the cheers and jeers of Islamic Nations when Americans were killed, refering to them as animals…well aren’t we doing the same thing. Furthermore, we did we start executing people without a trial? Are we now sanctioning execuations of people that have committied atrocities? If so, how can we stand before the International Community and tell them NOT to do the same!

CK Wilson

Sometimes we make exceptions… you must understand that. It’s not a black and white world we live in.
Marina Ruszkowski

I agree!!! I wish they would have gotten him alive. He should have gotten a house somewhere in the states and live with us and see that we are not all that bad. To forgive is the first step and you will be forgiven is the beginning.

Michael H.

Personally, I’d like to defecate on his corpse.

Denise

Jade, did you lose a close family member on 09/11? If you did then i am sorry but if not then you totally do not understand what this day means to those of us who did.
My brother was murdered on 09/11. I am so happy that the bastard who was responsible for his murder has been killed. He deserves to burn in hell for eternity. Instead of being disturbed you should be happy like the rest of us.

Rod in

There our military goes, killing people again, making enemies again. Dismantle this murder machine. We don’t need it. All it ever gets us is hatred from other people. We should just have a diplomatic corps like the French. And make friends.

CK Wilson

You don’t deserve to live in a free country.
IH8LIBERALS

go live overthere then you piece of liberal sewer slim
Shakra

The French has laid down and had the enemy wipe their boots on them every time there was a threat to France. How is that diplomatic? Besides, you obviously do not realize that it was the French who went into the Libyan conflict first. Yeah, it shocked all of us over here in Europe, but they did. Now what can you say?

HooDatIS?

i was sick last night and i stayed up to hear the president, i prayed and i cried, i thanked the lord for America’s intelligence and its power, because OSAMA needed to die
I dont condone death but he really destroyed our country now i feel a since of pride! like we can move on a little further as American people, we killed our enemy
http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/annual-black-female-40oz-drinking-and-chicken-wing-eating-contest/
MMMMMM

more questions

how is it that at 11 in the evening, there are throngs of people outside the white house carrying banners and cute little American flags, as if they had advanced notice.
Also, why bury him at sea?

Also, the death photo issued looks remarkably lik ethe standard phot we’ve seen through the years- just bloodied up.

Nice timing also, as the 10th year anniversary approaches and we have NOTHING to show for it at ground zero.

2 many questions for me.

911 WAS AN INSIDE JOB

911 was an inside job alCIAda is a creation of the military, building 7 just fell down on its own, You must report on all Americans for suspicious activity.Welcome to the new America

Ed

What a f–king idiot you are.

Marina Ruszkowski

I have the same thought!

MCK

Do you 2 share the same brain? IDIOTS!!! With a name like yours…if you’re not happy here…go back where you came from!

MCK

You’re kidding right? You think the government have people waiting for news to break and then they are told to go celebrate with little American flags for hours as if it was their own idea? I mean…really!!! You really need to stop watching the twilight zone….or move!
Richk

Ed, YOU are the idiot. Buried at sea, how stupid can you be to believe that?

Shakra

Of course, Richk, we needed to bury him in a place where people can congregate and go to worship him. Burial at sea? Burial in the ground? What difference does it make? Maybe now the extremists will jump in the ocean to worship him. Good way to get rid of the others. Besides, I think that Ed was commenting on 911′s post.
ED IS REAL DUMB

It is too late for ED, If he saw the Government push the plunger, he’d still curse you. Maybe someday e will decide to think instead of curse at the Truth

david in new jersey

Good news, bad news! The Republican party better hang up their jocks unless they can convince Colin Powell to run! (What an irony! Sort of a reversal of the Jimmy Carter events in Iran so many years ago….
May 1st should be declared a national holiday right away.

bf

Did Obama come in with his Fatigues on last night… Maybe I missed something. He took the glory that does not belong to him. Our hard working men and women fought and risked their lives to put this monster to death.

gtrleyshon

http://gtrleyshon.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/taking-the-bin-out-a-conversation/
HDB

The “death” of Osama bin Laden recalls the recent brew over the President’s birth certificate: bring an end to the controversy after the opposing veiwpoint has made known all of his cards. This must be a poker play on the part of the present administration, a move made in conjunction with the recent securtiy apparatus appointments. The killing of this wanted fugitive took place over a week ago and there has yet to be any photos shown to the public, who seem to be dancing over air rather than fact. Furthermore, the body was not brought back for proof – even the rebels of Libya seek proof of Ghadaffis son’s death! If he were brought back alive, then we can have proof. We the people shall be “trumped” again: you shall see proof when all of the skeptics have their cards on the table. This is a good strategy for the present – blame upcoming terrorist attacks on “Al – Queda” reprisals, and not the unjust war we fight in Libya. President Nixon was too a great poker player.

A ROYAL WEDDING OF EFFORTS

Kind of reminds me of The novel, ’1984′, Very Orwellian.

You know this is about global corporatism, being in collusion with the U.S. Government, in order to bring on the enslavement of the world’s population under the UN Sanctioned NEW WORLD ORDER.

Remember when the media told us that Osama did this to us because they were jealous of OUR FREEDOM & PROSPERITY?

So now where is our liberty, as we watch the TSA grope a 6 year old, gas $5 a gallon, and every 5 minutes we are told to report suspicious activity?

The only suspicious activity seems to be state sponsored, by our own tax dollars

Dale Auburn

Some questions:

- If the U.S. Government knew all along that he was in Pakistan, why have our troops spent all these years in Afghanistan?

- Why didn’t Obama keep OBL in captivity and wait for a slow news day next year to kill him and announce the news (just the way Bush did with Saddam Hussein)?

- Why didn’t anybody photograph the body? What proof do we have that he’s really dead (or that it really was him)?

AFGANI PIPELINE

THIS IS THE REL REASON TO BE IN AFGANISTAN……OIL

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/oil_war.htm

Mark

U know its was 10 yrs ago he was a alive and now he dead its kind of scare for us what will happend next

Miss Hautch

Mark,

Hopefully, what will happen next is that you learn to speak and write in English.

MIKE

GET REAL PEOPLE…YOU CANNOT KILL A BOOGEY MAN!!
WHEN WILL AMERICA WAKE UP!!!

BURIED THE BODY AT SEA>>>PUHLEEZZ!
jerseyjoey

Next take care of CBS and its liberal idiots
jerseyjoey

Good job Seals , well done. I will never be totally happy till i see the body myself and till the #2–infinity other terroists are dead also. For now we all take our hats off to the navy seals and to All American service men, thankyou for being there and keep up the good work. Tho as being me, why would you give that piece of trash any service at all, bring me the corpse we want closure, no one trusts this liar Gov anyway, i want to see the corpse in person, Obama this screwup is on your shoulders you idiot
osama hater

ROT IN HELL YOU GODDLESS SCUMBAG. THEY SHOULD HAVE BURIED HIM WITH A PIG ON HIS FACE
Susan R.

Of course I am estatic that the madman is finally dead, but I don’t see why they handled his corpse in reverent Islamic tradition and buried him at sea. They should have done so in the ancient Egyptian style reserved for criminals: burn his body and spread his ashes over the dirt path for donkeys to tread on—then he is finished for all eternity!

LG

yeah, and unnecessarily alienate every single muslim in the world regardless of whether they were supported him or not. what a truly stupid idea
RBP

I do not believe it is any coincidence that he was killed on Holocaust Rememberance day.

JNB

Now that Osama Bin Laden to rest.. One would hope that it would begin to lessen the problems.. Unfortunately in a war waged by suicidal acts of small groups of people versus an army it is a different war. And there are still people who use hate to inspire others to kill themselves in the name of honor. Until all the Muslims learn that the opression comes not from the Westerners but from their own people, peace will be hard fought.. Most of the wealthiest people in the world are their breatheren who live like westerners in luxury and support terrorism to deflect the scrutiny of their own lives.
No Cause

There is no cause for celabration unless you are an idiot. The world is still a dangerous place, our childrens futures are burdned with debt, the rich politicians only care about themselves, families are destroyed from divorce, the employment picture is still a problem and I could go on indefinitly……………..
NoMoreTerrorists

You are right: He believed in “piece,” cutting the world into pieces, NOT peace.

Don’t rely on your spell-check. Use a dictionary!
Roberta

He was a COWARD and a LOW LIFE. You did say one thing correctly in your e-mail “believed in PIECE” – yes PIECES of other human beings. Thank you to the U.S. Navy Seals and the United States of America for destroying this piece of CRAP. As a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer – it could not have happened to a more deserving threat to our country – MAYBE YOU COULD BE NEXT..
THANK YOU TO OUR NAVY SEAL TEAMS
GOD BLESS THE U.S. NAVY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BF

You got a symbol for terror and that is good. However after 10 years that cancer is so large that his absence will make little or no difference. A lot of people hate the USA.

janette

thanks to president Obama, no other president could do such a great job, by giving the troops the ok to find and kill Osama Bin Laden, we did it great job TROOPmay god continue to bless America, I love this Country and president Obamahe will surley get my vote next election

jerseyjoey

Obama did nothing, hes a terroist on America Wallets. you liberals are a discrace taking credit for this, this is why liberals are kookslike you jannette, stupid people vote for stiupid presidents
Ivan

bin laden got exactly what he deserved and I have no remorse for his death. I for one do not understand cheering, flag waving or celebratory drinking is really justified. I personally believe it is a somber occasion.
I am also happy it happened on President Obama’s watch.
When people like jerseyjoey cannot spell of place spaces between words and just want to call people stupid, therein lies the stupidity….
Charlotte

I agree with Jerseyjoey. Bush started all this and Obama is patting himself on the back again with his teleprompter.
MCK

Charlotte you are so right! Bush and his father started all this and had thousands of our young kids killed in the mideast just for their gratification of having a war! Bush couldn’t catch Osama if he was in his backyard! Obama got the job done like he said he would…unfortunately that can’t bring back all the senseless lives lost at the hands of the Bush presidencies! Nice call Charlotte….IDIOT!!!

Richard Bocchiano

GOOD, GOOD GOOD!
Jared

What a day!! This better be real.

Why the need to dispose of the body so quickly?? Pictures and videos have to emerge which are more convincing than the photograph in today’s Daily News. Yeah, I know if he’s still alive he’d liet us know in one of his silly videos, but still not certain the devil is dead. Sorry, guys, but I know what country I live in, and I really hope this isn’t like 1963, Dallas all over again. There, they quickly took JFK’s body from the hospital and got it on Air Force One, while LBJ was sworn in. Post the photos. Post the videos. I wanna see his head on a stick.

Charlotte

Things are questionable for me. On the ticker before the “President’s” speech, it was on the ticker that OBL was killed last week but they kept the body in order to verify with DNA. NOW — news media is reporting that this happened recently. Are we getting the right news? No reference on the ticker now to what I read before. I want pictures — I want verification.

midi-man

I am happy that he is dead, but reality is One Less crazy person dead, There is always another in line to replace him
Glenn

2 comments: I cannot believe Obama had the balls to order the strike that killed Bin Laden and I would have swore Bin Laden was driving a cab in NYC.

MCK

LOLOLOLOL! That was him in the cab….and Ghadafi was driving the other one! Bu then again…you know…they all look alike and smell alike!

Glenn

True, true, true.

injun93

nothing changes in my life. gasoline is still over $4. the police will protect manhattan but we can’t find a cop in queens .

1984

Don’t you forget now, to report on all your friends and neighbor’s suspicious activities!
M.A.D

Nothing changes for me either, I am still unemployed and my unemployment insurance is running out soon.
Wingnuts

…you try Dunkin donuts?

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SOUND OFF: Tell Us Your Reaction To Osama Bin Laden’s Death

May 2, 2011 8:31 PM

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