Does anyone else feel that the public celebrations of Osama bin Laden's death being telecast on national TV are inappropriate? I think it's entirely natural to feel proud, relieved, thankful and even pleased. But, I also feel that this is an occasion that should lead to quiet reflection and remembrance. Not a party in the streets as though your favorite team just won the Super Bowl. This type of behavior seems disrespectful and even offensive. Please take a moment today to remember all the innocent lives lost on 9/11 and all the brave servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of this goal.
Monday, May 2, 2011
A Day for Quiet Reflection
Does anyone else feel that the public celebrations of Osama bin Laden's death being telecast on national TV are inappropriate? I think it's entirely natural to feel proud, relieved, thankful and even pleased. But, I also feel that this is an occasion that should lead to quiet reflection and remembrance. Not a party in the streets as though your favorite team just won the Super Bowl. This type of behavior seems disrespectful and even offensive. Please take a moment today to remember all the innocent lives lost on 9/11 and all the brave servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of this goal.
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11 comments:
It feels strange for me. The morning of the attacks on the US and for days after were so powerful, so full of emotion so hard...and the Hunt for bin laden and the lives lost in doing so has been so long and so tainted and now they tell us he is gone, but I can't help but wonder whats next. I had chills watching the speech last night and I felt a gammat of emotions but I did not feel joy. Perhaps I should have? I don't know. I guess I am happy for those who were so dedicated to this plight, I happy for those whom this brings some sense of closure - I see it as a bit of a victory but not a celebration...
I too feel the same way. I saw the news shots of the people in the streets celebrating and it just made me feel strange. I'm glad he's gone. Don't get me wrong. It was bad enough sharing the same oxygen with him, but still...What is coming up for us? They won't just go "Oh he's dead..Our bad. Let's go plant crops now and help our fellow man." It's just too frightening to imagine what might happen now.
I'm certainly glad to hear that he's gone and I guess that means I'm glad he's dead, but some of what I'm seeing makes me uncomfortable.
I couldn't agree with you more, Pam. Good post to put out there and well said.
I can't say I'm celebrating, but it was a very surreal feeling when I caught a clip of the news last night. It was almost like a dream. A weight has been lifted, but my heart is a bit heavy due to the reactions of some of my fellow Americans.
I agree, Pam. The world is well-rid of him, but I can't help but remember how we all reacted to the dancing in the streets in some countries when the towers fell. If it was wrong (and it was), then it's wrong now.
Ah, this very topic was the subject of great debate last night on Twitter.
My feelings on the subject are that there is cause for celebration here. Not that a man is dead, but that his part in our history has ended and we can move forward with one less threat against us.
As Mark Twain once said, "I've never wished a man dead. But I have read some obituaries with great pleasure."
You make a good point. I don't celebrate death of anyone actually. I would much rather they caught him alive.
I know exactly what you are saying. I felt mostly in some way proud of the operation that went in to capture, but expecting to have to kill bin Laden.
I didn't feel celebratory, I actually thought more of what would happen next, what the ramifications of all this would be now.
I agree completely, Pam. I felt uncomfortable when I saw the celebrations on the news this morning, and it sparked an interesting conversation with my son about capital punishment (he's against it, as am I!)
I get that he was a really bad guy and responsible for many deaths, but celebration doesn't seem to be the right response.
A friend posted this quote on FB:
"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.
Sue
I'd say also a day for quiet reflection on all the innocent civilian lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries of the world due to US meddling.
It's a wonder we aren't the targets of more successful terrorist attacks.
Pam, I agree with you completely. Well said.
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