Its a sad day.  This attack was very cowardly.  But it just shows that the US should take the threats it receives very seriously.  They Al-Qaeda that Bin Laden heads up declared war on the US about 9 years ago when they bombed the WTC.
-WTC Bombing
-USS Cole Attack
-US Embassy Bombings in Africa
-WTC Plane Attacks
-Pentagon Plane Attacks
Its a shame that we rode so high on our horse.  It has caused us a great amount of loss.  Though not much can be done to protect against terrorists who are willing to die for their cause.
Bin Laden FBI Profile 
Al-Qaeda 
Text of Fatwah Urging Jihad Against Americans