The Situation Room: Photos and Video Included

 (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

I cannot, for the life of me, imagine being in a situation where I had to make a decision, and hope things turned out as I planned.  For Jimmy Carter it was the failed hostage mission in Iran, for Ronald Reagan it was the fall of the Soviet Empire and Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion, for George H. Bush, it was the First Gulf War, for Bill Clinton it was Bosnia, Kosovo and Somalia, for George W. Bush it was 9/11, the hanging of Saddam Hussein, and Katrina, and for Barack Obama it was the BP Oil spill, and Osama bin Laden's death in Pakistan just after midnight yesterday.  There are plenty more situations, but these are just a few off the top of my head.

Yesterday, the White House released photos of the situation in Pakistan taking place before them. While the National Security team sat in the Situation Room they listened to audio and video, much like the video (right) of a soldier in Afghanistan with a camera on his helmet.  

I can only imagine what was going through their minds as they saw Osama bin Laden looking straight at them and being shot in the chest and the left eye.  It had to be one of the most dramatic visuals ever captured on camera.  Just looking at Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton (top picture), with a hand over her mouth, makes me think they either saw a possible failed attempt when a helicopter crashed yesterday during the attack, or they saw the actual assassination taking place.  In either case, it had to be truly emotional for all of them.

I commend everyone who took part in this mission, from our brave soldiers on the ground - to our National Security Team - to our Commander in Chief.  They all worked together over the last six months, and managed to come out victorious in the end.  

I have always loved my country, but I love it even more today!

More amazing White House photos here. 

President Barack Obama makes a point during one in a series of meetings in the Situation Room of the White House discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon is pictured at right. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama talks with members of the national security team at the conclusion of one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is seen on the screen. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama listens during one in a series of meetings discussing the mission against Osama bin Laden, in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama talks on the phone in the Oval Office before making a statement to the media about the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. The President made a series of calls, including to former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and others, to inform them of the successful mission. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama edits his remarks in the Oval Office prior to making a televised statement detailing the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama delivers a statement in the East Room of the White House on the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Senior administration officials listen as President Barack Obama delivers a statement in the East Room of the White House on the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; CIA Director Leon Panetta; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Vice President Joe Biden. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama walks through the Cross Hall of the White House after delivering a statement to the media on the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Green Room of the White House, following his statement detailing the mission against Osama bin Laden, May 1, 2011. CIA Director Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton are pictured at left. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Pictures courtesy of the White House