Because really, and I know this might piss some people off, it feels weird to celebrate the killing of another human being. Just watch your young kids' reaction to the news that our president ordered the killing of Osama Bin Laden and you'll see what I mean. When they ask the very sensible question, "Well why couldn't they have just locked him up forever instead?" You try to explain it. It's complicated, right?
Right.
But, that said, the guy did have it coming, and he knew he had it coming, and the cat and mouse game is finally over. It took nearly a decade and an obscene amount of resources, but it's done. And there is no doubt that it was/is a great moment for the US.
And for Obama.
Did you hear Obama roast him during the White House Correspondents Association dinner this weekend? HA! Good stuff -- the video is worth watching. (Obama's got a sense of humor, that's for sure.)
We all know Donald is seething, but it's pretty likely all republicans are a bit miffed. As Late Night host Jimmy Fallon said: 'Bin Laden is dead! Just like the Republicans' chances in 2012.' (Shucks, now that's really too bad.)
Now if only this hilarious tweet from @BitterOldPunk was true: "Oh man I so hope the US soldier who killed Osama is gay." Perhaps they'd never recover...
Beth, I agree 100% and your blog sums it up beautifully!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom
You're awesome, Beth. I wouldn't know how to start to tackle this prickly turn of events . . .
ReplyDeleteI was watching that very Barack Obama onstage at the White House Correspondents dinner when I clicked over to facebook and saw the first news about bin Laden. *Then* I watched Obama's announcement live on abc.com. What a study in contrasts! Being funny and clever and charming while knowing what was about to go down . . . A friend today said, "Obama's the smartest guy in the room and he's playing 3-D chess; that's how he can do it."
Those kids of yours -- all of yours -- ware what we depend on to keep this all real.
Love you.
Ellie
A couple of wise people have put this quote on their facebook page:
ReplyDelete"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
Although I agree and appreciate the good doctor's sensibility, what *I* chose to put out there was a cartoon of Barack in a cowboy hat saying: "Here's my birth certificate. Here's Osama Bin Laden. Anything else I can get you motherfuckers?"
xo
Jacquie
Well done Beth.... love, Mom C.
ReplyDeleteMy FB friends on her know that I went with MLK Jr., but I did also have the correspondents dinner links on my page as well.
ReplyDeleteI am happy for Obama but I always have to temper any joy re:terrorists withe the reality that evil still walks among us.
Thanks for the great post!
Love that MLK Jr quote (although it's not all his, the first sentence is from a female facebook user), but it's hard to practice nonviolent action and peaceful protest with international terrorists. They run, they hide, they plot in dark caves and train kids to use guns.
ReplyDeletePlus, for better or worse, the US is not Tibet. Clinton, Bush, Obama? Not the Dalai Lama.
I too worry about extremist retribution, and it's likely coming, but I think it would be coming without the events of this week.
Already sick of the media blitz though....
beth
Justice has been served raw
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