Monday, May 2, 2011

9 Years, 7 Months, 20 Days

That's how long since 9/11 according to some woman on the news.  I don't know if that is today or yesterday.  Either way, today or I guess yesterday, is the day the world will remember as the day Osama bin Laden was killed.

Assassinated?

I am going to be honest...say things that may seem...unpatriotic.  But someone once said, "Love your country always, love your government when they deserve it" or something to that effect.

Saddam got a trial.  Hitler would have.  They say he refused to surrender and had to be killed.  I really hope that is true.  Bad guy or not...a trial would have been nice.

I am quite honestly a little put off by the absolute joy and mirth being exhibited by people over someone's DEATH.  I know what he did.  I will never forget that day.  He did a horrid, horrid thing.

But I also believe in democracy, and I don't think death resolves death.   They show what is being called "the kill site" on the news.  Covered in blood.  They confirmed his identity with DNA saved from his sister's BRAIN.  She died here in the USA and they "took custody of her brain" for just this purpose.  What, a vial of blood wouldn't do?

I just don't kow.  Perhaps the extremists who planned 9/11 celebrated at the death of all the people in the towers; perhaps terrorists cheer every time they blow people up.

 But if we are cheering about death ourselves, what does that make us?

9 comments:

  1. If it makes you feel any better, I read a report that the SEAL team asked him to surrender and he, himself, opened fire on the SEAL team.
    I do agree... its weird celebrating someone being killed... but as I said on Facebook.... he made his own bed.

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  2. I agree, I am not a big fan of the celebrations. It reminds me of the distaste I felt watching people celebrate in other countries on 9-11. I have many mixed feelings about it. It is weird we go right to kill mode, but I guess he did refuse. I don't know, it raises a lot of mixed feelings for me as well. You are not alone.

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  3. I totally agree. I've been so put off by the celebrations. They remind me of watching people around the world cheering and burning the US flag when Al Qaeda successfully killed Americans and makes me kind of sick.

    Yes, I believe that this was a necessary thing to do. But, it doesn't make me want to run around screaming "U-S-A" and cheering for our military prowess. I feel like what I want to do is quietly reflect on the past and acknowledge what he did and realize that this is not really over. Hopefully it may help us move forward, but it's not over.

    Watching college kids (who were *really* kids when 9-11 happened) screaming and pumping their fists and mugging for the camera like this was some sort of sport event makes me sick to my stomach.

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  4. Thank you for putting into words exactly how I'm feeling.

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  5. I'm glad that we don't have cable anymore. There are too many images that I just don't need in my head.

    As the child and grandchild of high ranking military officers I grew up with a "love and serve your County" mantra. I have deep pride in the careers that my dad and grandfather served. I love them. Military honor runs deep in my soul.

    However, I've also grown up in a different world. Whereas the government "took care" of my grandparents, I've watched it fail my mom and my peers, in so many different ways. I just don't think that blind faith, the patriotism that I was raised with, is the right way to go about it.

    We watched the presidents announcement via streaming internet last night, missing the extra analysis by the pundants and random video of celebration. My roommates, both career military folks, were almost shaking overcome with emotion. I am actually glad that they were present, to remind me that this is such a symbolic moment for our country.

    I think you got it right when you say "But if we are cheering about death ourselves, what does that make us?"

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  6. two wrongs don't make a right. his death will only serve to propel his followers forward with more haste and determination.

    his followers will not see his death as a bad thing, rather a thing to be celebrated - he died for his cause for his beliefs and that for him and his followers is something to be proud of. they will however hold america responsible for him not being here now to lead that fight and will retaliate accordingly.

    as for celebrating in the street and changing. remember the disgust of american people after 9/11 when crowds of people in the middle east were seen celebrating and burning the american flag? well yesterday the american people did it in return but yet it's acceptable when they do it? double standards and all yesterdays celebrating and chats of "u s a" would have done was made the resolves of those who will come out to avenge Osamas death stronger.

    an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

    ~x~

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  7. I completely agree with you! I felt saddened upon hearing about all the celebrations, it just seems wrong to celebrate someones death no matter who they are. Thank you for making me feel no so alone in these feelings.

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  8. Makes me feel much better to read this though and everyones comments. I feel the same and it has been weird watching the celebrations. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking its all a bit yucky.

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  9. Here in AU the coverage is different, but I still agree with you on a moral level. We are not judge and jury. Love & miss u xo

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