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Osama bin Laden death causes emotion on campus
Roundup Staff
As the rest of the world reacts to the death of Osama bin Laden, those who lost loved ones in 9-11 have strong emotions resurface from that day ten years ago when a stunned nation watched as the two towers fell. Students and faculty at Pierce College had their own feelings on the historical day of triumph.
Bin Laden was pronounced dead Sunday night as a result of a U.S. military operation conducted in Pakistan. The rest of the world heaved a sigh of relief.
The CIA led a Seal team into a compound located in Abbottabad, Pakistan in a mission to kill or capture Bin Laden, according to the LA Times.
Bin Laden, who has been on the FBI’s most wanted list since 1999, was considered the world’s most wanted criminal.
He was responsible for founding one of the world’s leading terrorist organizations, al-Qaeda, responsible for 9-11 attacks on the United States.
Security
As a result of Osama Bin Laden’s death there is increased security at airports across the country, although passengers at LAX were not experiencing delays, according to the LA Times.
The County of Los Angeles, and Pierce College is not under a specific threat according to Cristian Valenzuela, Sheriff’s Security Officer from Pierce College.
However, the Sheriff's office at Pierce College has been told to remain vigilant in their mission to preserve peace and property and life.
The Sherriff’s remain ready to respond to anything that may threaten the safety of Pierce College students.
Bin Laden’s death has sparked a world wide alert for possible acts of terrorism from supporters of al-Qaeda.
“Every person here has a duty to perform in an active shooter situation,” said Valenzuela.
Veterans
While scenes of jubilation stream in from Washington and New York City, the Student Veteran Organization, which advocates for the roughly 500 veterans of Pierce College, thought that justice had been served, but little would change in the way of policy:
Juan Pablo Sirri, said word of Bin Laden’s death was “Good news.”
“It’s a good day, it’s a great day to be an American,” he said. Sirri, 24, a U.S. Marine sergeant and Iraq war veteran, serves as the SVO’s “group operations” expert. This gives closure to the people who lost their loved one,” he said.
SVO president Christopher Sorbello, 30, was an Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001-2007.
“Our main goal is that we’re not going to deter from the enemy, and that’s what [this mission] showed,” said Sorbello.
But even with the death of Bin Laden, United States terror policy “is not gonna change at all,” said SVO vice president and veteran Coast Guard petty officer 3rd class Kort Huettinger, 31.
In fact, none of the SVO leaders thought that Osama bin Laden’s death would impact terror policy, but the morale of al Qaeda “was bent,” said Huettinger.
Students weren’t the only ones with opinions on the matter.
Predictions for the future
After 25 years of teaching, Lulu Laing, Adjunct Professor of Economics, sees bin Laden’s death as an opportunity for America to improve its economical status.
Laing learned the news online from her home Sunday night and like other Americans, was excited that he had been killed.
“I was happy about the news and think that it will give us pride as a nation, so that we can move forward,” said Laing.
The economy has many domestic problems and bin Laden’s death will inspire people to focus on them, according to Laing.
“I predict that his death will inspire people, regardless if they are Democrat or Republican,” said Laing.
Some economist are predicting that within the next five years China’s economy will be the number one in the world if we do not rectify our financial problems here at home, according to Laing.
“I think that his death will serve as a reminder to Americans that we can do anything, including improving our economy,” said Laing.
Laing remembered where she was ten years ago, when the twin towers fell as a result of Osama Bin Laden’s world changing attack in New York.
“I was a full-time professor at Osaka Sangyo University [a private university in Daito, Osaka Japan], my heart sunk and I was furious and wanted the government to bring us justice,” said Laing. “We are a great nation and should look forward to a bright and prosperous future.”
Dr. Kassem Nabulsi, Assistant Professor of Political Science explains what he thinks the political outcome of the United States killing Osama bin Laden will be.
“On an international level, one may argue that America’s accountability has been restored,” said Nabulsi.
He explained how there are some immediate changes that he has noticed since the announcement of bin Laden’s death.
“I looked at the Stock Market today and noticed that the American dollar has been strengthened compared to other currencies and I believe that this is an instant result of his death,” said Nabulsi.
Nabulski elaborated on how his death will hopefully discourage future terrorist action.
“By taking away their spiritual leader may deter their recruitment and in the long run violence will eventually decrease,” said Nabulsi. “I was extremely pleased with our President’s remarks about how our fight against extremist isn’t over, it existed before Osama bin Laden and it will after him, so we must continue to fight against it.”
