Everyone already knows, but...

...AL-ZARQAWI IS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just had to say it. It feels good. This is as big or bigger than getting Saddam. This is the guy who's been behind all of the suicide bombing and kidnappings and beheadings. He's disgusting and this will be an ENORMOUS boost to our efforts in Iraq.

I was actually up late last night when the story came on the news. ABC broke away from regular programming (which at that time was probably either Jimmy Kimmel or Inside Edition - when I turned it on, they'd already broken into the program) to air the news. This is the first mainstream media news that I've actually wanted to watch in a while.

You can read the full story here.

(I'm watching the press conference now. A reporter actually asked Press Secretary Tony Snow what he thought about the plausible scenario that this came about because another terrorist tipped off coalition forces just so he could move up the ranks and take Zarqawi's position. Tony Snow's reply: "That would be a pretty stupid terrorist." Snow went on to point out the short life expectancy of terrorists. It was a great answer to a stupid question. If the media can find a reason this isn't good for the U.S., they will.

One thing is for sure: terrorist attacks will go down. The only question is will al-Zarqawi be replaced by anyone of equal "caliber" among the terrorist world? We can only pray the answer is no.