I am sure that you are as pleased as I am by the news that Osama bin Laden was killed early Monday in Pakistan by U.S. Navy SEAL special operations personnel led by the CIA. From what I understand, there was an intense firefight that unfolded over a 40-minute period. Osama was given the opportunity to surrender, but he did not choose that course of action.
The fact that our intelligence agencies and military were able to track down bin Laden in spite of all the cautions that he and his close supporters took to avoid detection speaks very highly of our nation’s capabilities and our willingness to persevere until justice was done. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I am heartened that the families of those people killed in al-Qaeda’s cowardly attacks on our nation will finally be able to find some sense of closure, knowing that Osama bin Laden will now be judged by his God.
We cannot, however, allow our vigilance to fade, nor can we let our guard down. Al-Qaeda still exists without bin Laden, and their members may now seek revenge for the killing of their leader. Regardless, I believe we can all rest a little easier now, secure in the knowledge that our nation will never give in to the demands of terrorists and that we will not rest until our enemies are defeated.
* * *
I was very sorry to see on the cable television news the devastation and deaths and injuries in the South and Midwest brought about by hundreds of killer tornadoes this past week. When I was at SAIC, we had a large group located at Huntsville, Alabama.
While I don’t believe Huntsville was in the direct path of this latest swarm of storms, it certainly wasn’t far away from them. I hope that the remainder of the tornado season will be much less active and that no further injuries or deaths occur from these storms.
– Bob
Dr. B -
I am really glad to hear that you are back in the saddle, or captain’s chair, as the case may be!
I enjoyed Terry Williamson’s paper. Perhaps you can convince him to start up an employee owned company when he finishes his Rady degree.
I have a childhood fear of tornado’s from living as a child in Kansas in a house without a basement. I’ll take a good earthquake any day over one of those unpredictable monsters.
Best wishes.
Bill, Terri and Quinn
Bob,
SAIC still has a large group of employees in Huntsville, Alabama. Although we were not hit as hard as Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, our tornado damage was substantial. You can view some photos here:
http://photos.al.com/4462/gallery/anderson_hills_tornado_damage_april_27_2011/index.html
Bill: Thanks for the well wishes. We’ll see what we can do about convincing Terry Williamson to start an employee-owned company. I have seen waterspouts over the ocean, but I have never had a close encounter with a tornado over land. I think I’d like to keep it that way. — Bob
Randall: Thank you for sending the photos of the tornado damage in the Huntsville area. I did not realize that the area was impacted by the recent storms. My thoughts are with all the citizens of Huntsville, as well as the SAIC employees who are working there. I hope you will give everyone my best wishes. — Bob
Much of the technologies created and enhanced by SAIC were part of the successful raid. During my tenure at SAIC, I spent considerable time in the GWOT supporting our employees and what they did. SAIC and Dr B have a great deal to be proud of and should be aware that what is produced by SAIC-both material and human, indeed has a material effect on safeguarding our nation.
Keith
Bob,
As a University of Michigan Engineering School Alumnus, I was delighted to receive the Spring 2011 edition of Michigan Engineer magazine and see an article about you and some of the things you have done to make a difference. Both you and the University of Michigan have been major factors in my career and satisfaction. From the U of M Engineering school I learned how to think through problems to find the best way to approach a solution. I was also fortunate enough to sing with the U of M Glee Club from ’56 thru ’59 when we won First Place in an International Glee Club competition in Wales. In my nearly 25 years working at SAIC in Huntsville and McLean I welcomed the interest you showed in me and in our work for Ballistic Missile Defense programs, and the valuable benefit of the employee ownership you established.
I retired from SAIC in 2004 about the time you stepped down as CEO. Like you, my interest in musicals and choral music continues. I have been enjoying singing with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for the last 3 years. I now live in Mountain Brook, Al (a suburb of Birmingham) where my daughter lives and has a successful business and our 4 year old grandson. life is good!
Your friend,
Clark De Jonge
P.S. The Apr 27 tornado outbreak in Alabama did not directly impact on us or on those we love, but one of the smaller (EF-2) tornados came within about a mile of our home.
Clark: Thanks for the message. I gather from your post that you have been retired for some time, but that you’ve been busy with your musical activities. I have been trying to keep up with the latest technology developments, such as nanotechnology. Unfortunately, I am no longer in a position to implement anything. I send you and your family all best wishes on this Memorial Day. — Bob
Bob;
I just completed a Business Executive Leadership course in Normandy in conjunction with Gen (Ret) Stan McChrystal for 20 of the top International GE executives. We used a great deal of your systems and personal examples for this. No One of us is as smart as all of us was a key favorite as well as how to get there. Its amazing how simple a point can be so obtuse to others. The GE folks were very respective and well-aware of your legacy. Just wanted you to know that what you did and how you did it lives on.
Keith
Keith: Good to hear from you again. I am glad to learn that some of the ideas we championed at SAIC were of use to you in Normandy. Please keep in touch via my blog. — Bob