Osama Bin Laden has been confirmed dead…. No one can deny that the events of September 11th took their toll on the hearts of the American people. Undoubtedly, this new development will ring loudly enough to awaken the emotions of many, as we move to heal from the loss of the thousands of lives that were lost on that tragic day. So, should we rejoice and wave flags, hang from lamp posts and boast our victory? When can we go back to feeling as safe as we did on September 10th, 2001?

Will the death of this enemy of our country mean the return of our freedoms? Will this mean that we can abandon our fears of being groped at airports and having our privacy violated, adding insult to the injuries already inflicted by terrorists? Or will this be yet another opportunity for the federal government to use our emotions against us and scare us into giving up even more of our civil liberties?

Surely, there will be announcements of new threats and new fears to harbor. We will be encouraged to accept living with heightened security restrictions and with Big Brother more than ever breathing down our necks. Likely, we will also very soon be introduced to the new face of terror, for evil in this world is not likely to suddenly disappear and it is also unlikely that the government will suddenly retract its overreaching arm that pokes, fondles and prods at our privacy. Be careful America! Vigilance of our freedom is equally important for protection against threats from within as from without.

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he is vigilant in its preservation.” ~Douglas Macarthur