Elk Grove Reacts to News of Bin Laden's Death

The Twitterverse was buzzing Sunday evening with reactions to the news that Al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan.

While Elk Grove didn't see mass street celebrations like those in Washington, D.C. and New York, Elk Grovians had plenty of thoughts about the news.

"Proud to Be an American," Elkgrovegal wrote simply on Twitter after the announcement.

"Elated. Relieved. Proud," Elk Grove Patch reader Jack Covert posted on this site's Facebook page.

"One of the most sinister forces of evil in modern history died today. Hallelujah," wrote reader Paul Lanning.

Some took the opportunity to praise President Obama. "#Trumpisamoron was accusing Obama of not being born here. The President meanwhile was having several secret meetings planning #Osamaisdead op," tweeted Pablo Espinoza, who lives in Elk Grove and runs press and constituent outreach for Democratic Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez.

Others forwarded along some of the numerous bin Laden-themed jokes already making their way aound the web. Some highlights:

@GhostOsama: I retire as the world champion of hide and seek.

@BrianCrockerJr: BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump demands Osama Bin Laden's death certificate.

Not surprisingly, elected officials seized the occasion to bolster their positions on the war on terror.

"This is a strong reminder that actionable intelligence is the key to success in these types of operations," U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren, who represents part of Elk Grove, said in a statement. "It is important we keep this in mind as we look at extending elements of the Patriot Act."

In a similar vein, President Obama—who has continued to build up the U.S. military and intelligence presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the face of growing criticism of his strategy—said Sunday: "The death of bin Laden marks our most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al Qaeda. But his death does not mark the end of our effort. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad."