al-ZARQAWI - DEAD ! JUSTICE IS SERVED !

Al-Zarqawi is dead and justice has been served! Of course this is today's number one news report that Al Qaeda leader al-Zarqawi was killed last night in an air strike by United States forces. Everyone from Arab papers to Al Qaeda to world leaders to Middle East specialists have all stated some type of response to Zarqawi's death. The response has ranged from claims of martyrdom to exuberance or cautious joy to blaming the U.S. for his presence in the first place although it has been proven that Zarqawi was harbored by Saddam Hussein after he fled from Afghanistan and was treated for injuries before the U.S. led invasion. In a twist of irony the USS Cole was deployed to the Middle East theatre today for the first time since repair from a terrorist strike that was planned and executed by Zarqawi. Additionally the very government that Zarqawi was trying to prevent from taking hold in Iraq with the use of murder, bombings, beheadings, etc. at the same time as his murderous life was coming to an end established the last two remaining governmental positions making a fully established free government in operation in Iraq. Many speculate that his death will signal an escalation of attacks in Iraq and the region which is quite possible and though he is but one man he is the top man for Al Qaeda second only to Bin Laden and his influence was very powerful in the terrorist destruction that has taken place in the region. He has in every sense of the word been the operational head of Al Qaeda and the main propagandist for Al Qaeda on the web and other avenues of terrorist recruitment as well as through his actions, even more so than Bin Laden so this is a significant blow to Al Qaeda. His death of course does not bring an end to security problems in Iraq nor does it end the presence of coalition forces in Iraq. What it does signify once again is that there has and continues to be tremendous success in this theatre of the War on Terror and the death of Zarqawi is large enough that the biased press could not hide it as they have other successes in the war especially in Iraq. Additionally this was an intelligence victory as Zarqawi was hunted down from information gathered from his own people and by following his deputy until he led those searching for him to the man himself. Zarqawi's death was described by General Caldwell as a very extensive and detailed intelligence operation and military action. Congratulations to the individuals who took part in this attack, intelligence gathering and the hunt and to the men and women in our Armed Forces who are stepping with an additional dose of pride in accomplishment for a job well done. The task is not complete but Zarqawi's death and the full establishment of a government in Iraq prove that we are on the right track despite set backs from the past and set backs that as in any war situation will come in the future. The Iraqi people are breathing a sigh of relief today as are freedom loving people throughout the world as this twisted and dangerous murderous animal and leader of Al Qaeda has met his justifiable and well earned demise.

Ken Taylor