Public courage notwithstanding, it is also important to recognize that no tragedy like this could have been addressed or people's lives saved without a massive concerted effort by the first responders: the police, the paramedics, the firemen, the doctors, the nurses, and eventually, the national guard.
I'm disinclined to celebrate bin Laden's or anyone else's death. But the broader context is that Republicans have been criticizing Democrats for being weak on foreign policy for two generations, even when such criticisms were unwarranted. If those suggesting that Obama's conduct has been "unusual" are correct, then perhaps the Republicans have a point. But, should we blame him for inoculating himself against such accusations with the latest campaign ad? Let's look at how President Bush and other GOP spokespersons have talked about the death of U.S. enemies.