I certainly don't want to rain on anybody's parade. if you are twelve kinds of happy about Bin Laden's death - I am happy for you. I know that his death can certainly bring closure to families who have been hurting for ten long years now. I know that his death is making some people feel more safe in this turbulent world.
but to me...
I don't feel safer. I feel strange about celebrating "the death of an evil man". I've been somber all day. Somber and maybe a little scared.
I know that there will be retaliation. I know that Bin Laden's most loyal followers have a plan in place in the event of his death or capture by the US. I'm not as worried being a mid-westerner, since terrorists generally like to stick to big, coastal cities... but I am planning a trip to a big, coastal city in the next couple of weeks. with my daughter. and my unborn son.
and I know, I know, if we allow ourselves to be afraid, the terrorists win. but whatever. I can be scared all I want.
I got all stressy like this after McVeigh's execution too. but I feel like it's amplified today. more so than with McVeigh, I feel like this is a matter of opinion. Bin Laden is seen in the West as an evil mass murderer... (and I'm not arguing with that fact) but were we on his side, we would no doubt feel just as convicted that he was doing God's work (his God, of course - but aren't we ALL convinced that only our God is the right God?? and who are we to condemn someone for believing in a different deity than we believe in ?)
I guess I just don't understand. I don't get the concept of killing for religious purposes. honestly, I don't get the concept of killing without immanent danger to the self. (like, if someone were going to kill or hurt me or my kids, I would try to incapacitate them without killing them, but if I had to kill them, I'd do it.) but minus that - I don't see a reason to kill.
also - I didn't lose anyone in the 9/11 or the OKC attacks. I don't know what that pain is like for the families who have felt, until yesterday, that the man who murdered their loved ones had gotten away with it. I don't have a family member or loved one in the military right now. (I have extended family there, but no one I'm super close with) I imagine I would feel MUCH differently about this situation if I did.
but all I can seem to muster today are feelings of disappointment, loss, worry, and fear.
disappointment in us as humans. that we can hate so much that we cease to see humanity in others (as did Bin Laden... he did not see Westerners as humans, and so we did not see him as one)
loss for the ability to make sense of all of this.
worry and fear that the retaliation will be horrible. will hurt and or kill more innocent people, and that possible hurt or death could come to my loved ones.
sighing,
a
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