Osama bin Laden's death a victory, but "this war goes on," says GOP Rep. Peter King

The death of Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden represents a significant milestone in the war against al Qaeda, but officials say it's far from the end of the fight. They are warning of the risk posed by potential retaliation for bin Laden's killing.

"We have to make it clear, this is going to be a long, hard war," Republican Rep. Peter King of New York said on CBS' "The Early Show" this morning. "We won a very significant victory in the last several days by killing bin Laden, and this will put al Qaeda on defense for a while... But the fact is that al Qaeda has morphed, it's all around the world."

King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the terrorist network that claimed bin Laden as its figurehead has spread its influence to various countries, including Yemen, and is recruiting potential terrorists within the United States.

"So, no, this war goes on," he said. "We scored a victory. We have to make as much of it as we possibly can, and move forward. But no, we can never let our guard down. Al Qaeda, Islamic terrorism, they are committed to destroying our nation, our culture and our way of life."

President Obama indicated as much when he announced bin Laden's death on Sunday night.

"The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda," Mr. Obama said. "Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us."

Immediate retaliation for bin Laden's death could come on U.S. soil or against U.S. installations overseas, King said.

"We know that al Qaeda will try to avenge the death of bin Laden," he said. "And I can assure you that the American intelligence agencies, the counter-terrorism agencies here in New York, the NYPD and Joint Terrorism Task Force are all monitoring this extremely carefully trying to anticipate what could happen next -- anticipate what, in fact, al Qaeda might try to carry out and how we can head that off, how we can stop it, how we can prevent it."

The Homeland Security Department issued an alert on Sunday, obtained by the Associated Press, that says bin Laden's death could inspire retaliatory attacks from members of al Qaeda's core branch in the tribal areas of Pakistan, al Qaeda franchises in other countries or radicalized individuals in the U.S. with al Qaeda sympathies.

CBS News Homeland Security correspondent Bob Orr said this morning on "The Early Show" that the terror threat level is not being raised in the traditional sense - there are no color-coded terror threat levels any more - but that "significant portions of the U.S. government and military installations, and law enforcement agencies are kind of raising their guard."

Several other political leaders, both Democrat and Republican, have given similar warnings that the fight against al Qaeda continues.

"We must be mindful that al Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal and determined enemies," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) added, "Because bin Laden's evil dogma has poisoned the minds of so many others, we cannot let up in the war on terror."

On "The Early Show," King said this morning that Mr. Obama deserves "tremendous credit" for an "amazingly successful military operation."

He added that those directly impacted by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks -- many of whom are his constituents -- have a "sense of closure" now.

"Nothing will ever erase the torment or the agony which they went through, but, no, they feel that they've definitely turned a corner, and the country, hopefully the country can now come together," he said.

[slatep]

TO: Rep. Peter King

It should ABSOLUTELY not continue.

Our objective in Afghanistan was to get Bib Laden.

WE GOT HIM.!!

WAR OVER.!!!

[pasha128]

Rep King your about 12 hours late with this analysis -- President Obama already had this covered last night with heightened security directives / orders ready, communicated and executed in accordance with the operational plan to kill or capture Osama Bin Laden. A coordinated effort of multiple federal agencies that spanned the earth. While you naysayers were on the sidelines unaware of the significant events occurring in accordance with a truly coordinated plan involving multiple agencies actually conducted in a covert manner. Unlike the Bush administration that leaked more intelligence or alleged intelligence than they actually effectively acted upon.

[smcecil]

Flash foward a few years from now, from Wikkileaks (or whatever the leading honests journalistic source is at the time):

Obama: It's Osama right? -- it matches the sister's DNA, right?
Pinetta: Well, not sure, the brother lived there too.
Obama: OK, then, just throw that sucker in the sea and no one 'll know the difference. I need to make this announcement RIGHT NOW and cut off that SOB Trump's show! Forget about Osama bin Laden,
it's Trump I need to get.

[user000049586849302948603]

I'm sure they did get plenty of photos, finger prints, dental x-rays and DNA samples just to be able to quell the conspiracy nutjobs who will inevitably arrive on the scene. The SEALs probably all had their photos taken with him, sticking their fingers in the holes in his head.

[lovethyneighbor]

I have to wonder why the hurry..to bury at sea? Dispose of the DNA? Or lack of the right DNA. ..before news people get too involved and start looking into it...Have to question this whole issue. The government has lied to the people before to serve its own purpose. The timing and political issues on the table for Obama to handle right now, make this a diversion of positive publicity for him, right when he needed it.
Too many questions, not enough proof.
And, to top it off; what secured my doubt, was the insincere, vote seeking,glory taking, Obama citation of parts of the Pledge, with mention of God in the phrases several times, and he ended with "God bless American'" This,..after he entered into office and thumbed his nose at recognition of God, his early presidency of Religious question,Muslim background...NO. Just words to fit the feelings of those hurt by Bin Laden.. I don't believe it. But, some will. Watch his points soar.
It's like..just hand the dumb Americans anything and they'll buy it.

[onemanvolt]

Dubya and Old Man Potter failed to do what Obama did. President Obama made Bin Laden's capture a top priority. Republicans were too busy trying to kill government and figure out creative ways to give trillions to the robber barons who own them. Next, the Orly Taitz of the Repubs will be claiming that Bin Laden's death was a fake. Republican?s, like Taitz, have no shame.