"A terrible thing happened to our country today."
This morning I woke up and opened my laptop to check the weather.
"Obama Confirms Bin Laden's Death"
It was everywhere. From CNN to Al Jazeera, Facebook to Twitter. Big, bold letters bringing me back to that day in 5th grade. It was on almost every computer screen and mentioned in every conversation at school. I quickly saw photos of rallies in New York and DC. By noon I had read articles and watched video clips.
This is a monumental event in our nation's history, there is no doubt about that. But it is also incredibly emotional, political, and complex. Events like these require us to gather all the knowledge we can, analyze it, and then figure out how we feel about it (which can be the most difficult step of all). I respect well-formed opinions and I believe in everyone having and expressing their own. Today, I talked to friends on both sides of the spectrum and everywhere in between. Here is mine:
It is appalling that one human being can take the life of another. Osama Bin Laden took the lives of over 3,000 innocent Americans in only one day. An American took the life of Osama Bin Laden. This event marks a closure for many people, and it will go down in history as a good day for our country and for people around the world. However, I do not see this as a joyous celebration.
In the words of Harry Waizer, a 9/11 survivor, "I just can't find it in me to be glad one more person is dead, even if it is Bin Laden."
Do I think Bin Laden should have been killed? I don't know. I don't think that is a question I can answer. Am I glad? In a small way, yes. This is a very complex situation with layers upon layers of consequences that many of us cannot imagine. I have faith that our government is doing what is best for the safety of its people and their rights and freedom. I have a lot of respect for how President Obama handled everything in the public eye. People did their jobs, and someone was killed. I think this calls for solemn respect, remembrance, and peace. I "celebrated" today with a moment of silence and a prayer.
That being said, however you chose to remember the events of the last couple days, I hope you will join me in giving thanks that we live in a country where we are free to do so. United we stand, all over the world. I encourage you to watch Obama's address from yesterday if you have not already. It was very well delivered.
On a lighter note, related to recent political shenanigans, I found this quite amusing:
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