American fellow-feeling has been going down the shittah since mid-2009 or so, and for those few remaining true believers in the power of rational discourse and basic human decency, it's been a bum ride. Everything is political lately, it seems, and in the worst way. Left and right America agree on almost nothing, and even when they do agree, they've got to pretend they don't.
So I was nervous when I opened my Google alerts this morning. In less-divided times, certain moments are too big, too awesome to be press-ganged into partisan bitchery. The first free elections in Iraq; the capture of Saddam Hussein; 9/11. But I had a queasy fear that in these supremely divided times, Florida's more colorful politicians would find a way to spin last night's stupendous news into something ugly.
They didn't.
I feel like giving Lt. Col. Allen West a hug. On his website, his statement reads:
Congratulations to President Obama and his National Security Team for the capture and killing of the world's most dangerous and evil criminal mastermind, Osama bin Laden.Sen. Marco Rubio issued a similarly measured and supportive response, to which one can only say: Here, here. Thanks, guys.
Our appreciation and gratitude goes out to General Petreaus and the brave men and women in theater. Our Special Operations team executed a flawless, cross border operation, proving once again, our American Armed Forces are the most highly skilled, organized and highly trained forces in the world.
Although this is a time of exuberance, rejoicing and healing, America, as well as our allies, must be vigilant and on guard for retaliatory attacks from the extreme Islamic world. What strongly concerns me is that bin Laden was not found hiding in a remote cave, but in an urban area of Pakistan where the Pakistan Army's premier training institution operates. This is a war that is no where close to being over. [sic]
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