SHORT YOUR AL-QAEDA STOCK: Abu Hamza Rabia was reportedly killed in an explosion in the North Waziristan tribal area of Pakistan over the weekend.

"Rabia, an Egyptian in his 30s, was responsible for external planning of terrorism, including terror strikes against the United States. ... he replaced Abu Faraj al-Libbi, a top al-Qaeda leader, who was captured earlier this year.

"I can hear people saying: "But they'll just replace him with someone else!"

Sure they will. But when you eliminate the vice president in charge of planning attacks against the U.S., then eliminate his successor, the chances are that whoever is next in line for this position may not have the education, maturity and experience necessary to achieve al-Qaeda's corporate goals.

Do you think Microsoft's stock wouldn't sink if Bill Gates and his top deputy suddenly disappeared? Why would it be different for an enterprise producing death and destruction for export?

Meanwhile, in Iraq, it is vital that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, CEO of al-Qaeda's Mesopotamian branch, be eliminated, along with whoever replaces him. And so on and so on...