North Idaho reacts to bin Laden's death

As an expert, Bill Smith says his response to news like that of Osama bin Laden's death is expected to be "dispassionate and analytical."

But it wasn't.

"The first reaction I had was emotional, and one that is shared by most Americans," said Smith, director of the University of Idaho's Martin Institute of International Studies in Moscow. "It was not so much, 'Gotcha!' as it was identification with the folks I know and you know who have suffered for years."

The Martin Institute is a teaching, research and outreach center that examines the causes of war and the conditions necessary for peace.

Smith said the death of the 9/11 mastermind provides closure to what has been an emotional period for the American people.

"Now it's time to analyze what's next," he said.

Members of the intelligence community in Washington, D.C., have had a lot of time to think about what will follow bin Laden's death.

"This wasn't an unexpected eventuality. They're well aware there may be some blowback or some sort of retaliation. They're listening for that," Smith said.

Intelligence experts have also had a lot of time to perfect their listening skills, Smith said, and they're used to being vigilant.

"Just last week a potential attack in Germany was stymied," Smith said. "This is not new. It's an ongoing struggle."

Osama bin Laden Reactions

Q: What impact do you think the death of Osama bin Laden will have?

Ali Krall, 17, Coeur d'Alene, student at Lake City High School

"We were talking about that in class. Honestly, a lot of people followed Osama bin Laden. People are going to be pissed. We'd better keep our guard up."

Windy Hurrell, 18, Coeur d'Alene, student at Lake City High School

"I think that now, instead of targeting our troops, they'll be targeting all Americans."

Paula Anderson, Coeur d'Alene, 62

"I worry that there will be repercussions. On the other hand, it's awfully good that someone like that has been caught, to show that the U.S. has military and intelligence agencies that ... It might take awhile, but, you know, they found him. The U.S. doesn't give up."

Mickey Ream, Coeur d'Alene, 26

"I think it means it's more peaceful in the world. I think it will make us ready for more issues. We'll be ready for 'em."

Jewel Wyatt, Coeur d'Alene, 51

"I think there will be a renewed sense of patriotism."

Ed Lipski, Coeur d'Alene, 53

"So many people lost family members in 9/11, as well as the Cole bombing. Quite a few people probably think it's good justice finally done. They're probably wishing it happened sooner."

Q: How much credit does President Obama deserve for finding and killing Osama bin Laden?

Kevin Stoneham, Hayden, 27

"None. Soldiers are the ones that did it. He might've pushed the papers, but it all came down to the soldiers."

Charles Page, Coeur d'Alene, 62

"Obama's credit is, when the opportunity came, he didn't flinch. And it seems to me, from what I've heard, he didn't even tell Pakistan. He deserves a lot of credit for the decision."

Dawn Thompson, Hayden, 51

"I don't think he deserves all the credit. There's a lot of people involved. More than anything, it's all our agencies that deserve more credit than anybody. I really think the agencies that actually facilitated (the bin Laden mission) deserve all the credit."

Greg Meagher, Coeur d'Alene, 49

"I think he deserves credit for having the courage to do it. He risked a lot, like Carter risked during the Iran embassy fiasco. He showed courage there. It would be good if he could have given George Bush a little credit. The guys who went in there and did it, those guys have tremendous courage. They're the ones who should get the majority of the kudos. Our nation should be very grateful that we have guys like that."

Pauline Jensen, Rathdrum, 62

"Absolutely none. I think it's a tactic to get points, because he's losing. People are losing faith in him because he's been such a lousy president. He's going to take every bit of credit he can. (The search for bin Laden) has been kept rolling because of people behind the scenes, in the military. It just kept rolling forward, and the opportune moment came."

What was your initial reaction to the news?

Dave Goodwin, Hayden

"I was glad we did what we had to do, but now I'm concerned with what could follow ... He wasn't the only one you know."

Debbie Verbillis, Coeur d'Alene

"My initial reaction was we are a civil society and if we wanted to arrest the man we could have. This was execution style. Civil justice is through the courts ... I don't really know if we should celebrate death. We should celebrate freedom."

Ethan Balentine, Coeur d'Alene, 13

"I thought finally. At first I didn't really believe it. But after the president said it ... It felt almost like relief."

Arthur Acklin, Post Falls, 28

"The first thing that went through my head was, 'are we sure we got the right guy this time?' ... I just kind of lost interest in following him and finding out what was going on because it's been so long. On the one hand, I'm glad we got him but what's the next move in the never ending chess game?"

Bill Dawkins, Coeur d'Alene

"Good thing. It was definitely relief. It was good for the country. It was good morale for the whole country. We needed some good news with everything else going on.