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TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011 VOLUME 85 ■ ISSUE 141
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A NATION REJOICING
Congressional interns from Tech experience celebrations in D.C.
PHOTO BY BRAD TOLLEFSON/The Daily Toreador
THE WILL ROGERS statue sits draped in the American flag and patriotic streamers.
By KEVIN CULLEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
When Sarah Feitshans heard the news of Osama bin Laden’s death, she and her fellow congressional interns did one thing before they left for Pennsylvania Avenue: They grabbed the American flag hanging above her bed. There they were met by a cast of characters ranging from people in American-flag leotards and painted chests to dogs wearing United States colors. “People weren’t just walking to get to the White House — everyone was running,” said Feitshans, a sophomore energy commerce major from Houston. “Everyone had to get there, so of course we ran there. It was pretty amazing.” Jessica Cravens, who serves as an intern for Rep. Sam Johnson, RTexas, remembered being in her 7th grade math class when she saw the second plane hit on Sept. 11. The senior public relations major from Carrollton recalled the scared feeling she had and a sense of confusion the rest of the nation undoubtedly shared. INTERNS continued on Page 2 ➤➤
CROWDS OUTSIDE THE White House in Washington, D.C., chanted “USA” and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
PHOTO BY BRAD TOLLEFSON/The Daily Toreador
RYAN RECORDS, ABOVE, a sophomore advertising major from League City, hangs red, white and blue streamers and American flags on the reins of the Will Rogers and Soapsuds statue late Sunday night after the death of Osama bin Laden was announced.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN GILBRETH
Former DT op-ed editor shares her D.C. experience Kristen L Tech official, state house warn Gilbreth PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN GILBRETH
ying in bed half asleep, I saw a friend’s post on Facebook that seemed to read, “Obama died.” Fearful our president had been assassinated, I turned on the TV to realize Barack was very much alive. In fact, his legacy and 2012 presidential bid may have just been resuscitated. After 10 years of mission unaccomplished, bin Laden finally had been sniffed out of his hole, hunted down and killed. Perhaps this also meant the death of America’s decade-long recession. The demise of our failing economy. Maybe we can finally bury our fears, our failures — rise up and resurrect the hope of this nation. When I saw CNN’s coverage of the celebration in front of the White House, my first thought
INDEX Classifieds..................7 Crossword..................6 Opinions.....................4 La Vida........................5 Sports..........................8 Sudoku.......................2
of international travel dangers
was to head down there just as I was, pajamas and all, to join. Even though I have become disillusioned with politics, as I have with journalism, since college, something in me wanted to be in the same place as the story. Maybe my faith in America, in change, in people, could be revived by walking in front of the White House on a night like tonight, when everyone wasn’t so stale, serious or stuck. D.C. continued on Page 6 ➤➤
By CAITLAN OSBORN STAFF WRITER
Tibor Nagy, Texas Tech’s vice provost for international affairs and former ambassador, said because of the sensitive nature surrounding former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden’s death, Americans need to be cautious when traveling overseas. The Obama administration announced Sunday night the terrorist leader was killed in a compound located in Abbottabad, Pakistan, when U.S. forces attacked it. “I think it’s a tremendous vic-
tory in the fight against terrorism,” Nagy said, “but as with other things like that, it comes with dangers.” NAGY T h e U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning Sunday stating that U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad need to be wary of the enhanced potential for anti-American violence, given
recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. “Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation,” the warning said, “U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. “U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”
By TRAVIS BURKETT STAFF WRITER
Almost a decade after orchestrating the Sept. 11 attacks, Osama bin Laden was killed by United States forces, according to a statement given by President Barack Obama on Sunday night. According to the president, a small team of American soldiers launched a covert operation, resulting in the death of the terrorist leader at a compound in Pakistan. Reaction on the Texas Tech campus to bin Laden’s demise has been mixed. Current Tech professor and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said in a statement that while long overdue, the event is still a great achievement for America. “I have to believe that this can only help the United States and hurt al-Qaida,” he said. Ryan Van Dusen, U.S. Army veteran and assistant director for the Tech Military and Veterans Programs, said while this is an American victory, the war is not over. Van Dusen also said he is not sure what effects bin Laden’s death will have on the American public.
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Managing editor says goodbye after 3 years OPINIONS, Pg. 4
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A CROWD GATHERS outside the White House, left, to celebrate the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death.
Tech reacts to terrorist’s death
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Serving the Texas Tech University community since 1925
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