Osama Bin Laden is Dead, Let's Pretend the United States Won the War on Terrorism

As I sit here smelling the sweet and sickening scent of frying meat wafting from the bustling restaurants down the street, the world is rapt over news that Osama bin Laden might be dead. Facebook statuses are exclaiming the news, and the overall online feeling is joyous. But does the death of bin Laden really matter for America?America has been actively hunting Osama since 2001, and in the meantime the United States has spent almost one trillion dollars invading and blowing up countries with terrorist activity, or possible ties to terrorist cells. Bin Laden has been America's official bogeyman, like communism was during the McCarthy era. America needed something to strike out against, and bin Laden was perfect. The most elusive and dangerous man since 9/11.But what does his death mean? Is this news anything other than affirmation that the U.S. can achieve one of its goals, even if that goal strains its economy and its reputation among the world? Terrorism and terrorists will not go away with the death of bin Laden, just like swaggering Texas cowboys will not go extinct when George W. Bush leaves this world.Will the death of Osama give Americans a rally point and reignite enthusiasm to continue the ambiguous war on terror? "We bagged bin Laden, we might as well support the president and keep rolling with the war(s)." What about all of those dead civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan that perished at the hands of U.S. troops, accidentally or otherwise? What about the reignited hatred and loathing for the United States after ten years of solid warfare in the Middle East?Essentially, the U.S. has given inspiration to thousands of new terrorists, and given them reason to hate the West. Every family that has lost a loved one in an attack feels that hatred, and it is hard to blame them for hating the West, for hating America. After all, Iraq and Afghanistan have been continually torn up by American tanks, bombs, and troops. Osama bin Laden may very well be dead, but the dangerous policies of the U.S. are still in place, and the war against terror machine will continue to function like the well-oiled machine it is.