Does anyone else think it is weird that facebook is blowing up with angry "good riddance" status updates, today? There sure are a lot of "Hellz yeahs" and F-bombs out there.
Sure, Osama Bin Ladin was a bad dude, and is responsible for the death and misery of a lot of people. I don't debate that.
But are we really celebrating that he is dead? I will celebrate that his hateful influence is gone, that people can no longer be harmed by him, and even that individuals who lost family and friends in the 9/11 terrorist attack can now feel that justice is served. But there is a whole lot of hoop-hollering going on that I think is a little sad, sick, and disturbing. And arrogant. Really? Go USA for killing the dude? I don't understand the cause for patriotism, there.
I do not support terrorism, I just don't feel elated that this guy is dead. Maybe I would feel differently if someone I knew directly had been hurt on 9/11, or if someone I love was in the service fighting the War on Terror. I don't know. Probably. Maybe not. It just doesn't feel right to cheer that someone is dead, and from what I have witnessed today, it seems that the general public has missed a point. I think we should be celebrating peace. Peace that comes from the end of an evil influence, and peace of mind for broken families that need closure. But instead I see a celebration of death, being right, winning, and I told you so's. We are glad Osama Bin Laden is gone because he was spreading hate. Ironically, hate is emotion I feel resonating from Facebook, today.
It's weird, right?
Did I miss something?
Is it just me?
Goodbye Butterflies
12 years ago
12 comments:
Mugs,
The celebrating masses are troubled. I do NOT want terrorism; I want justice; I want peace. But partying about death? Wrong. We should be celebrating the LIVES of those who have fallen to ensure our safety. So many mixed emotions.
No, you are not the only one.
I love that you posted this. I had a similar one in mind as well.
I have such a problem with this mindset. Arrogance feels so dangerous, which I know sounds so dramatic, but hate that begets hate? Dangerous.
It is not over yet. I doubt it will ever be "over" in our concept of the word. We should be celebrate and, more importantly, sowing peace.
Thanks so much for sharing this today.
I meant "we should celebrate peace," not a person's death. Just in case the penultimate sentence was unclear. :)
I do. I happen to believe that the simple fact that he can no longer plan the deaths of more people is cause to celebrate. But it's not a joyous celebration. It's a somber, patriotic pride kind of celebration. I am grateful that the lives of those who have died while trying to eradicate terrorism (hunt down obl) were not lost in vain. Celebration is probably not the right word. Maybe its vindication. I don't know what to call it, but I don't think it's a bad thing for people to express it. This country is still grieving what was lost on 9/11 and this is part of the process for those who feel it that deeply to express it.
I feel relief. I kinda feel like it is one of those situations where people should be calmly shaking hands for a job well done instead of doing body slamming high fives. On the other hand I had a family member post some funky facebook status about feeling bad for bin ladens choices. It was just weird. In my own opinion the guy was really bad and needed to go, I just dont feel as a person that I can really celebrate a death, I can be grateful but I can't bring myself to celebrate. I think the other problem is facebook. I hate it when people post their political thought on facebook cause they ALWAYS assume the world agrees with them. (That is what blogs are for. ) So it totally get how you felt estranged for not celebrating when facebook was very much in that mood today.
I'm "partying" because sometimes, the only way to peace is getting rid of those who fight diligently against it. Most of the time that means killing them. There's no way that man would have ever stopped plotting to kill hundreds of innocent people, even if we had captured him and put him in a prison cell. So, yes, I'm celebrating the fact that he's dead and can't kill more people.
Also, it's nice to know that in a world going stark raving mad, there is justice and a US military force doing it's job.
But like Kasey said, maybe celebration is the wrong word for it. However, I don't know what other word to use.
I feel much the same as Kasey does. I am glad that he is no longer in this world to groom his son to take his place, to incite hate in the young minds coming up around him, to threaten all that I hold dear.
As a Christian, I don't celebrate death, but I realize that our choices and actions can affect agency, and he was held accountable for his in this life and I'm sure he will be in the next.
I hate everything about this.....the fact that people are giddy over death is pretty dang morbid in my opinion. I don't care who it is. It's scary that we are that desensitized! SCARY! Also, I'm sick of politicians taking credit for this to boost their positions in the polls. Right and left. Honestly, the whole thing makes me sick.
I find it weird as well. I don't get it. Terrorism is still real. It doesn't mean nothing bad wouldn't happen again.
I thought the exact same thing. And though I'm not on Facebook you would not hear a simple whoop/hollar/hell-ya! out of me if I was. The thing is that even though he is gone he is one person (yeah a powerful one) but still one. I'm grateful his influence will slow and all efforts that were going toward finding that one man will be put toward other noteworthy things (hopefully).
Oh, and my brother has been in Afghanistan for the last year. This is his 3rd tour.
I totally agree Meg. I think part of my emotion earlier in the week stemmed from disappointment with my fellow man about the sanctity of life. Like it or not he is one of God's children and I can't believe the Lord would approve of someone "peeing on his corpse." (Yes, I actually read that suggestion on FB.) I'm glad he is no longer poisoning the minds of others by encourage the murders of innocent people, but cheering about his death (and making comments like those above) isn't any better then the radicals cheering after they bombed us.
Wow. I'm late on this discussion, but I felt the EXACT way! Joel and I had a big ol discussion about it even.
What scares me now is the guy who is going to "take over" for Bin Laden, because yes, he did evil things but there are a dozen probably more evil guys just waiting for their turn. Yikes.
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