End of OBL Celebration 5/1/11

It was a very very spontaneous and happy celebration at the White House Sunday night/Monday morning.  The President's announcement came at 11:35 pm, and several thousand of us were in front of his house within 45 minutes.  Here's a video of the craziness taken by a classmate of mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTIUn89FwPY

Initially, it seemed strange to be so exuberant about Navy SEALS putting a bullet through someone's head . . . but not for long.  When you consider the evil brought on the planet by bin Laden, the thousands of innocents killed, the hijacking of a world religion in the name of terror, the amazing and extraordinary efforts the United States and other nations have made to bring him and his terror network to justice, the bullet was justice done. 
The President's message to the nation was pitch-perfect and completely appropriate.  The crowd gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue was a collection of mostly college students from GWU and Georgetown---whose childhoods and adolescence have been defined by 9/11 and the US response to it.  It is no wonder they were so enthusiastic in their celebration of bin Laden's death. 
The nation, too, needs to celebrate.  The last 10 years have been completely shadowed by the horrific events of 9/11/01.  Much has changed in response; history will judge whether the changes are for the better.  
Part of the allure of being in Washington is the ability to easily be part of a spontaneous celebration of history in the making.  I did that on Sunday, and was so glad to be there.