May 3, 2011

...INTO THE FIRE

I don't go looking for trouble which is why you'll find me sitting on the fence most of the time.  But in the spirit of personal growth, I've decided to go out on a limb with this post.  You see, I'm conflicted.  I don't even know how to put it without totally pissing somebody off so I'll just say it: Bin Laden's death was severely anticlimactic for me.  And the reaction of my fellow countrymen has me...well, for lack of a better word...disturbed.

Pissed?  You can stop reading now, I understand.  Really, I do.

I thought I would be jumping up and down when Justice finally rolled up.  Instead, I just sat there on the bed with my mouth hanging open and a giant question mark bouncing around in my head.  Really?  He's dead?  Killed?  Taken out?  Completely and totally gone? 



Huh.

Maybe I would have felt differently
had he been caught in 2002, 2003 or even 2004. 
Maybe I would have felt differently
had I known someone who had been killed on September 11.
Maybe I would have felt differently
had my brother, cousin or friend been serving in our military.
Those are some pretty big maybes.  But yeah, maybe.

None of the above applied to me so I really can't say.  And I do think it would have been a game changer, at least for this fence sitter.  That said, it still doesn't change how I feel now.  So how do I put it out there?  How do I explain what I can't even articulate?  The only thing that comes to mind are more questions; questions that have kept me up these past few nights.

How does the rest of the world perceive the USA in light of this news? 
Are we heroes for killing that madman or are we once again the big Bullies who make their own rules?
What do these flag waving celebratory ovations splashed across the media really show? 
Did we fall from any point of grace (if there is such a place); playing out the final hand just as the radical (Muslim?) world swore we would?

I guess the bigger question still, at least for me anyway, is this: how does the death of one avenge the death of thousands?

I've said way too much and now I'm shitting my pants as that little white arrow hovers precariously over PUBLISH POST. 

You've listened politely.  And for that I thank you. 
I'm ready now to do the same.

[gasp]







7 comments:

  1. Well said Mama, you are not alone. I've been a bit "disturbed" by our celebrating and news coverages as well.

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  2. "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." -- Martin Luther King, Jr
    I believe Bin Laden needed to be "dealt with", but the celebrating in the streets is a bit much for me.:/

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  3. Ditto. Despite the atrocities done under his direction, I'm having a tough time with people celebrating another person's death. And I'm thinking maybe he should've had his day in court. Liza

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  4. Well said. Justice would have been taking that S.O.B. to court. That's what we have a court system for. I think it showed poor form to just go in and execute him. Under that same idea, then someone could execute Bush and Obama too because lots of innocent civilians have died under their orders too. I think we should have been the better country, and dealt with him legally.

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  5. Sorry to say, but I'm on the U.S is kind of a bully side. I know that many people died on 9/11, and that is horrible, but I don't think that justifies going into another country, without their permission or knowledge, and executing someone, even someone as evil as Bin Laden, without a trial. I think he should have been captured, tried and then punished. That would have been a way to show the world that the U.S. is a truly civilized nation. But I'm afraid that his assassination is just throwing more wood on the fire and we can probably expect a reaction from Bin Laden's supporters in the near future.

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  6. Unfortunately the US has lost its "defender of democracy" status in the eyes of everyone but itself. They should have taken the high road and gone for the trial. They have set a dangerous precedent, when they could have modelled respect for human rights and international law. Now, if some foreigners come to Texas and shoot a whole in some President's head, after he orders airstrkes on their country, I doubt the People celebrating Bin Laden's death will see the irony.

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  7. Hi there - just found your blog - liked this post with it's honesty and daring. For someone in the US I am sure it is daring to question policy and reactions in the street.
    I am from the UK and live in Spain. I heard the news with a sort of shrug of the shoulders. I don't like mass killers of any kind but I don't rejoice when they are killed in turn. People here that I spoke to seemed neutral about it except for the ever present question - why was he dumped at sea? surely it would have been better to keep the body as proof that it happened? Some country that is 'neutral' could have done tests and verified it then get rid of it. To me and to lots of other people - that seemed sensible. So, now there remains the doubt - was it really him or were they lying?
    There were people in the UK who also rejoiced and those people surprised me - some of them were my neighbours and before I thought them reasonable and humane people. Well, there are always surprises.
    I liked the quote from Martin Luther King that someone left. Bye for now and good luck with your life changes Kate x

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