Osama bin Laden has been killed, and Americans are jubilant in the streets. Not me. I cannot celebrate a death.
Don't get me wrong. I am relieved, and proud of the amazing skills and courage of the small team that succeeded in this mission. It was long past time for this man to be brought to justice. But I feel like celebrating anyone's death brings us all lower. It had to be done, but it's not something we should enjoy.
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
(On the other hand...there's one guy out there who can say "I shot bin Laden." Can you imagine being him today? I wonder if we'll ever know his name?)
So, what about you? What's your reaction?
I wrote about this very thing yesterday. I just worry American popular opinion will be cause for our military to be cut deeply and pulled back before the job is done. Don't get me wrong though, I do not believe we need such large bases overseas. But, we do need to have boots on the ground getting the others who caused such destruction and are training / arming other radical terriorists; who are now using children to become suicide bombers. JMHO
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Mal
From what I've seen, WH officials are making statements that they're very aware of the possibility of retribution, and that the loss of bin Laden does not mean the end of Al Qaeda. In fact, security's being stepped up around NYC, and no doubt in our bases abroad.
ReplyDeleteBut I see your point--long-term, politically, we may decide to call it a day. But who can predict what happens next? If we've stirred the hornet's nest, there will be no question of the dangers we still face.
all the lives lost on 9/11 and then all the lives lost of the soldiers who have fought the war on terrorism.
ReplyDeleteSome part of the celebration was folks thinking all the troops would now be coming home. naa. There will be plenty more bloodshed.
I'm with you, Flartus. I'm against killing, period.
ReplyDeleteI think what bothers me most is that many people are giving Obama the credit for shutting down Bin Laden, but the credit should only go to the brave, loyal, dedicated, selfless, and proud military men and women who never gave up in their mission.
ReplyDeleteBut I feel the same way as you regarding celebrating Bin Laden's death...it should be a somber victory. The only thing I can rejoice in is that the families of the 9/11 victims now have some peace and closure.
~Lisa
I'm with you 100% on this - I think we are all diminished by the kind of celebrations we saw. On the other hand, I have lived a safe and secure life, and haven't suffered catastrophic losses at the hands of terrorists - but still, I don't see anything in all of this to be celebrating.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you too, Flartus.
ReplyDeleteLisa, your comment makes me think of all the strutting young men waving American flags. They are so clean and innocent, looking like they've rushed out from their college dorms or frat houses. They look so proud of themselves, and I have to ask them..."What did YOU have to do with it?" I'll bet if they'd actually been involved in the event, their regard wouldn't be quite so jubilant.
ReplyDeleteFlartus, with you 100%.
ReplyDeleteWell actually I don't think just one man can take full credit for killing bin Laden. It seems that he was shot numerous times by a handful of miltary personnel, but even if there was only one man who had made that fateful shot that killed him, he or she could not have completed the mission without the support and assistance of his or her fellow military comrades and troops...and, most importantly, the support of the entire United States, along with many other countries, too.
ReplyDelete~Lisa