Charlie explains his reluctance to report the news. You see, in 1991, Charlie oversaw a reporter who told his audience where Scud missiles were landing in Tel Aviv. The Iraqis used that information to aim other missiles and three people were killed and 96 others injured. It's all Charlie's fault! He's a murderer! Maggie makes a frowny face. "We're going to get this one right," Charlie insists, even if they report it two minutes later than everyone else. Um, at this point, Helene Cooper reported it like 15 minutes ago, so... you're already too late. MacKenzie, Jim and Maggie tell Charlie they agree with him. Will just has a dopey smile on his face.
Charlie will report the bin Laden news to the newsroom and happily. But first, a speech: "I need to tell you that you're going to remember this night for the rest of your lives. It's going to be a long night and we need you to work fast (why? They're not reporting anything) and we need you to work well (but Maggie works there still, so... ). But once in a while, take three seconds -- you can't spare more than that (because this speech just ate up any and all free time you might have had) -- take three seconds to notice where you are and what you're doing (in a newsroom that won't report the news). Will's gonna go on the air in a few minutes so that we can report that on the order of the President of the United States, U.S. Special Forces shot and killed Osama bin Laden."
And then the newsroom erupts in applause and cheers. That's kind of gross. You know who wants people to die? Osama bin Laden. You aren't that much better than him when you burst into applause because he's dead. I mean, you are better than him because he's a horrible murderer, but being this gleeful and congratulatory over someone's death is pretty unseemly and doesn't really tell the truth about people's reactions. There were plenty of happy people and there were cheers, but there were also people who urged us to tone it down a bit. The only people who don't look thrilled are Kendra and Kaylee.













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