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Subscribe to RSSEditor's note: Msnbc.com is following the online reaction to President Barack Obama's announcement that Osama bin Laden is dead.
Update: 2:00 a.m. ET
Second Life gets in the game as participants dance to "The Angry American." (image below, from Alexandrea Ryada via FirstPerson)
According to NBC's Luke Russert, Twitter user @ReallyVirtual accidentally live tweeted the activity that led to the 9/11 mastermind's death without knowing what was going on. The newsman writes, "Read back 9 hours to see his description of hearing the chopper of 1am. Amazing stuff."
@GhostOsama introduced himself to the world with a groan: "Well this sucks...I accidentally enabled location on my tweets."
1:30 a.m. ET
Reaction to the president's statement (click here to watch it in full) erupted on the Internet within moments.
"Bin Laden dead. My dad died on 911. I feel free," tweeted one woman.
Others, including filmmaker Michael Moore, used Twitter to ask for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of Sept. 11.
On Facebook, users changed their profile pictures. "Change your profile picture to an American flag in honor and recognition of our soldiers who took down Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan! Finally the great terrorist mastermind is dead. God bless the USA," said one user.
Twitter account @osamainhell announced itself to the world with a cheeky "Wait, what?" while @Real_Bin_Laden moaned that he was "watching footage of people partying in NYC," and that "If I didn't know better, I'd think you guys really didn't like me..."
Jack Bauer - the face of Fox's "24" - began trending on Twitter in the hours after the president's speech. "Right now @BarackObama is telling Jack Bauer he will never be able to thank him enough but sadly he must now leave the Country," tweeted one user.
Google Maps wasn't immune to the reaction: The mastermind's mansion hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, about 80 miles north of Islamabad, was mapped within hours. According to the Atlantic's Nicholas Jackson, the site is "about 800 feet to the west is the Cantt Police Station." Foursquare users don't worry: If you're ever in the neighborhood, you can now check in via the location service.
Some - likely still riding high from the correspondent's dinner - took to the the vast spaces of the Internet - for a victory lap of sorts (image below, h/t http://mikerelm.tumblr.com/post/5124100463).
http://mikerelm.tumblr.com/post/5124100463
Many noticed the eerie date of the announcement: May1 is also the day Germany announced Hitler's death.
Leave a Comment:
Good news. Obama killed Osama.
Thank god they killed him. Obama is amazing.
No, Thank the Seal team and the navy personnel, soldiers, marines and airmen along with the CIA out on the ground for that.
...while carrying out orders issued by Obama. A weapon is only as good as the person wielding it.
You freakin' liberals are about as stupid as they come. OBLAMO had NOTHING to do with this. Try as you will... but NOTHING will make crow go down easy; not even cod liver oil.
Right. So if Bush were the one in office when OBL was killed, there would be no credit given to the cowboy, right?
You wrongies have you're own little view of the world... you get your panties bunched up when Obama bowed to the Saudi King and said nothing when Bush kissed him.... you want Obama to investigate the oil companies but cry about free trade... you say Obama did NOTHING to kill OBL, but can you give me the date Bush had him in custody? No matter what, Obama can't do anything right but the Holier then thou Repubs are the greatest....Take the blinders off and stop drinking the KoolAid before it destroys what few brain cells you have left!!!
I guess we know what the new South Park will be about.
Today there were terrorist attacks, tomorrow there will be terrorist attacks...
The CIA finally killed the person that they & Carter helped train and supply weapons to. The thousands of others they trained, will still be promoting the ideals of Osama ben Laden..
The true tragedy, is this will probably enable Obama to be re-elected... The person responsible for almost 1,000+US Troop deaths in Afghanistan. And who knows how many will be killed when Libya is finished...
Ac Robertson,
The truth is that President Obama isn't responsible for the deaths in Afghanistan. That responsibility ALWAYS lies with the person who sent our people there to begin with- in this case that is George Bush Jr. President Obama inherited the military mess Bush/Cheney created, not to mention the financial one. It never ceases to amaze me how republicans are always spouting propaganda and lies without a twinge of conscience and no indication of any sense of morality. Why aren't you mentioning how Bush pulled American troops back when we had Osama bin Laden (the son of a CLOSE Bush family friend/business partner) cornered in Tora Bora and allowed him to escape. Utter friggin TREASON! That single act of Bush's is 100% more likely to be the cause of those 1000+ deaths by prolonging this war he was so keen to have going. But that is an honest evaluation, something not to be expected of republican, especially the ones who use Jeeezus as a cover for all manner of hypocrisy, and consider the republican propaganda ministry (FOX) the place to go to get the "truth". And while I'm mentioning that traitorous last president- you republicans should take a lesson from THIS President. He didn't step out in front of the cameras to claim 'Mission Accomplished!" until the damned mission was actually accomplished.
Bush didnt pull troops back Merlin. The theater commander wasnt allowed to use troops in a rear guard capacity because that would put armed Americans in Pakistan, which didnt authorize that scenario. Bush had very little to do with this and is subject to the desires of a sovereign nation in regards to American troops on their soil. Please get a clue and take your soapbox and political rants elsewhere.
Bush II and the UK turned the 'Nation Building' over to the UN and 42 other countries during Dec 2001... From that point on the US and UK just had a support role.
It was Obama during 2009 that ESCALATED the Afghanistan Conflict and CHANGED the Chain of Command. It is during the last 24+months that almost 1,000+Additional US Troops have been KILLED...
Robert Gates and the CIA during this time stated that there were less than 100+al Qaida in Afghanistan...
According to the US News, it was the CIA that located ben Laden and the US Navy(SEALS) that Killed him... Other World Meda outlets have reported different stories, so who really knows...
DNA testing requires severial days if not weeks to verify...
A DNA paternity test will generally take three to five business days from the time samples start testing in the laboratory.
Sibling DNA Testing. This type of testing can take anywhere between three to four weeks. This is because the analysis that is required for siblings is more complex and is calculated differently than DNA Paternity Testing. The same time frames apply to Aunt/Uncle DNA Testing also known as Avuncular DNA Testing and Grandparent DNA Testing.
Plus, they require verified samples from family relatives...
So far the information being released by ALL the Media outlets, does not add-up... Just like the Mustard Gas (Hillary Clinton) or the Viagra (Susan Rice) in Libya...
Wow...I wondered how long it would take before the 'pugs ramped up for fresh attacks on our president and even espoused conspiracy theories on this. I thought probably 2 days. Great job, AC Robertson. I clearly underestimated the degree of vitriole you guys carry. Doesn't it ever get heavy?
and congrats to Mr. Obama and our SEAL heroes as well as the diligent work by the CIA for years of dogged grit and determination.
Hey AC, Here's your
New Birther Tack:
We've always known where Osama bin Laden was, but President Obama had him killed now because he had threatened to reveal Obama's REAL Kenyan birth certificate.
Yahoo-ockbar, good buddy. Remember that in your sad little redneck world, in front of every silver lining, there's always a cloud.
You Sir are an idiot! You never get it and never will.
Wrong!!!!
He gets it daily from your wife.
Donald Trump!! We will get you Osama bin Ladens death certificate. That way you know he is dead. Do you want the long form or is the short one ok?
Osama in Pakistan and he is killed. The death place is evident that the real devil is Pakistan sheltering many Ladens' and this country is said to be the favoured nation to USA. Nothing won but personal death of a tiny terrorist-of course he was great terrorist and only w..a..s. He is no more active with BP Sugar and arthritis etc. he is half dead. But the real ghost behind small one is Pakistan. US knows this but pretends as if not known. Now it is upto USA to decide to conclude the continuation of arms supply and money to Paki.
Im not excited yet... I want to see the body. I know it sounds gruesome, but so what... I want to see it
well, it was smart, I think to bring the body out of Pakistan but for whatever reason- perhaps something in Muslin law or tradition, it was buried at sea. But I'm sure there will be ample proof.
RIGHT ON!!! It's a GREAT day to be an American!
GOOD JOB and CONGRATULATIONS to our troops, intelligence people, and President Obama for finding Osama Bin Laden and giving him the justice he so richly deserves!
I want to see the reaction of Pakistan Rulers. What they will say? If they appreciate the death they have to face the wrath of hardcore religious terrorists and if condemns the curse of Uncle Sam. I am eager to see the faces of generals and puppet rulers of Paki when they deliver their message in this regard
yes. It is very interesting that acoording to reports, they kept EVERYONE out of the loop on this until it was a done deal. This must say something about how much Pakistan's leaders are trusted. This was also smart by Obama and his advisors. No chance for someone to tip off the cowardly snake so he could slither away.
Trump Trumped
U.S. PRESIDENT Barack Hussein Obama KICKEDASS andtook OssamaandDonaldTrumpsNames.
Now Donald Trump will come up with a new group. Instead of the Bearthers, it will be the Deathers and they will go after Obama saying he faked Osama bin Ladin's death. SHOW ME THE DEATH CERTIFICATE.
I find it funny that some of you use this moment to build up the President and knock down anyone who isnt a democrate or a republican .It was the men and women who serve in our armed forces who got the job done. As a recent retired vet that lost an eye and an arm and watched my buddies die or go home disfigured in these last three wars that I consider it a slap in the face to hear "Good job Mr.President" He and the congress and senate were all relaxing at home in freedom and received a call from an aide that the military finally found Bin Laden. Good Job Mr. Presedent indeed, you all should be thanking those who give up everthing so that you sleep in very little if any fear every night while they sweat their #sses of during the day and freeze them off at night wondering when it will be their turn to get shot or get blown up by cowards. These men and wemon who fighting for what we ALL are suposed to believe in. Let me hear someone thank the President for what are brave men and wemon did over there. I'll give you a swift kick in the ass and ask you when did you serve for this country. When was the last time you laid your life on the line for what you believe in? I can tell you, statistically not to many of you. I bet if the government passed a law that every american that graduated high school had to serve at least two years in the military, this would be at totally different country. It's funny how people who have lost nothing but yet have an opinion about everything hit behind our Constitution but wouldnt shed a drop of their own blood to defend it. To all of you who take the time to thank our military personel, God Bless you. To the rest of you, well you know where you can go and I know the place to send you to make sure you make it there quickly or maybe, just maybe it would make you change your mind about your present ideas about the government and who is truly fighting for your rights and freedom.
Maco- thank you for your service and sacrifice and your points are well taken. I didn't serve- too young for nam. But my son did 2 tours in Iraq. My dad was a war vet in WWII. You are right about almost all you say. But thank you. I hope we can all put away our differences for at least a short while and be glad that the world has one less killer of innocent children in it today, thanks in largest part to the SEALs who went in and got him. I can't help wondering if they know which SEAL popped him in the head...must be a good feeling to know that you finally got someone who killed so many. I am even more happy that none of our SEALs died in this. And you may disagree, but I do think that from the initial reports that Obama made some pretty good calls, like cutting out the Pakistanis and not telling them anything until it was done. Thanks again, Maco. You are my son's brother. That must make you something to me.
I must say, you type very well and long winded for a one armed man with one eye.
Amen Maco367. Our military is the only protector of this country. The president did not locate OBL, he had people who who had informers who knew other people that passed along information to the possible location. He had nothing to do with this whole event unfolding. He couldn't find his a** with both hands nor his birth certificate. THANK YOU NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, ARMY AND COAST GUARDS.
I wonder who made the decision to not inform the Pakistanis of this action that was about to unfold and decided to take whatever political heat came from it. Whoever made that call was pretty smart and surely made a decision that help result in a good conclusion. Don't you think so, 3405616? Hmm. I wonder who...
3405616 um, sorry, gotta dissagree with you on this one. Obama is the one that started looking for him again after Bush said he could care a less. Obama gave the order for the strike. Nothing would have happened if Obama decided not to give the order for the strike. Obama is like the brain of the body and his army's are his arms and legs. They dont do anything without his say so.
Obama Honors Bin Laden With Funeral
Why did the Obama administration honor Osama bin Laden with a burial? His remains should have been put on ice and shipped to some research center for further studies. So what if that desecrates his Muslim heritage! We need to know what was inside the guy, and more importantly was he already or very close to death, from natural causes, when he was killed. If there was evidence that Bin Laden was dying, then a conspiracy theory would be applicable.
If you were one of Bin Ladens commanders, and you knew he was dying of a disease, would you consider leaking info to the Americans, and set up a scenario that would end his life, so that he could be remembered as a martyr? The answer is simply “yes”, most people would agree! Better for us that he die at the hands of the enemy than of natural causes! So lets find a place the Americans won’t have trouble finding, a mansion on the outskirts of a major city, and spread info that he is hiding there. Add a few expendable men to offer a façade of defense, and presto, instant hero’s death.
This all smells of Obama, the one man who could have ordered Bin Ladens corpse to be sent to Germany for further analysis. Bury him quick to hide the evidence, and use his death by American hands in his bid for reelection. Everybody is happy, that is every Muslim is happy.
I can't believe you're finding something to bitch about regarding this great turn of events. It may "smell of Obama," but today Obama smells like Victory.
Good gosh...seek help.
Paybacks a bitch. GOBama!
They had better hope that was Ossama that they killed or he will make a mockery of our intelligence. Just because you take out the head of the hydra don't think it is dead.
As usual, the far-right wing Republicans, Mr. Rumsfeld and Rudy Giuliani are not really elated of Osama Bin Laden's death news. Had it happened under the watch of Bush the Junior, it would be a different portrayal. They are near death-beds (age-wise), but still show evidence of immaturity.
They found Osama ben Laden--that's great.
Now, how are the Republicans coming on their search for Weapons of Mass Destruction?
Maybe all they have to do is go back and concoct some weapons somewhere or get some reporter to write a fake story or just re-write the history books to reflect that they got them and the war was legitimate!
Obama has his own birth certificate and Osama's death certificate (Osama Seal-ed at bottom of sea!!)