As most of you probably know by now, Osama bin Laden has been reported dead. I just watched the President's address to the nation, and it was actually a very good speech. Thanks to high-definition TV, I could really see the solemnity and sincerity in his expression marked by the subtlest smile of triumph.
I can't imagine being in the President's position - committed wholeheartedly to protecting his country but, in doing so, is forced to decide someone's fate. One life in exchange for thousands. It seems like such a simple equation given all that Bin Laden has done - and don't get me wrong, it is certainly a relief not to be living in fear of his next move - but hardly anything is as simple as it seems, especially when it comes to decisions about life and death. Perhaps that's because those decisions aren't really ours to make... But that's a discussion for another day.
I don't want to get too political on here. There is a lot that I don't know, but what I do know is that this is sure to be the most memorable moment of Obama's presidency. When our children's children read about President Obama in their history books (online, I'm sure) and when they are tested on the details of his term, this is going to be what they remember. This day - marked by achievement, recompense, and moral conflict - is our V-J Day. Justice has been served, one way or another, and it has been a decade in the making.
I think the question to ask now is, where do we go from here?
May God be with our President, our troops, and all the world leaders - right after a victory is sometimes when we are our most vulnerable.
<3 Mrs. G
P.S. Feel free to share your reactions below. You've heard my opinion, so I would love to know yours.
I think it is an extremely difficult situation. People want it to be simple and they want to celebrate. That's fine - in America, we have that right. I however find it to be overwhelming and painful to see people rejoicing about death, no matter how bad that person was. Our country has done horrible things, too. In fact, I read somewhere that more civilians have died in the war in Afghanistan than died in 9/11... whether this is true, I have no idea, but if it is then what does it say about our country?
ReplyDeleteI won't claim to have the authority to say whether someone deserves to live or die, but I will say that I am glad that a bad man was brought to justice. I am glad that my friends who have served overseas did not do so in vain.
I am NOT excited about the renewed patriotism that will result from this. There is nothing that aggravates me more than the general unthinking population and their repeated strains about pride that really have no thought behind them. You can't be proud that you just happened to be lucky enough to be born in America and have everything given to you on a silver spoon...
I'm probably rambling... but I am going to share with you something a friend posted on my facebook wall when I shared a similar sentiment earlier, because I think she said what she said well: "American unity overshadows any political thought and that my duty as a Christian supersedes all else. I'm just going to be spending a lot of time in prayer regarding this matter: in celebration that justice triumphs over evil, in deep concern for the soul of a murderer, in sympathy and compassion for those who have lost loved ones at his hand, and in continuing to ask for guidance for our leaders and safety for our troops. What else can we do?"
and as I said in defense of one of my friends who is being slammed for outrightly saying she won't celebrate this: "not wanting to rejoice in death has to mean that a person is immature or doesn't remember or understand the gravity of what happened. It was a terrible event and he was a bad man. Being ashamed of the overall response to tonight's news simply means that just as no one would have celebrated on 9/11, a choice is made to be consistent in principles and morals and likewise not celebrating a death today. It's just having a different point of view about life"
All I can really say is that I hope that people will think long and hard about the true meaning of this, rather than putting on their flag pins and buying whatever new song Alan Jackson writes about this like the mindless sheep they are... one can only hope. --L
sorry, um that is supposed to say "not wanting to rejoice in death DOES NOT HAVE TO mean..." I copied and pasted out of context...
ReplyDeleteI agree. I just hope people give it more than a passing thought, and I definitely think it's important to be consistent in principles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.