Boy this certainly isn’t discouraging. Proving our efficacy in the War on Terror, hot on the heels of the suicide bombing that may or may not have been intended to kill our veep, comes Brian Ross with an update on Osama bin Laden.

The newly appointed Director of National Intelligence Jack McConnell made the assertion about bin Laden and his No. 2 man, Ayman al Zawahri, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Referring to Pakistan’s rugged tribal area, McConnell said “to the best of our knowledge that the senior leadership, No. 1 and No. 2, are there, and they are attempting to re-establish and rebuild and to establish training camps.”

That’s right, folks. Osama bin Laden is not neutralized, and he and his No. 2 are very possibly setting up shop in Pakistan. You may criticize Ross himself, but keep in mind that he broke the Foley scandal and a number of others, so I’d say he’s a reliable source.

Back in 2003, President Bush said he wasn’t thinking about bin Laden, didn’t know where he was and didn’t seem to care. When the first American, be it soldier or civilian, dies at the hands of the regrouped Al Qaeda, you can bet your ass that statement will become Bush’s downfall. At least if there’s any justice in this world.