Last night, Americans celebrated the death of Osama bin Laden, especially at such symbolic places as Ground Zero and the White House. Maybe celebrated isn’t the right word. Because in saying we assassinated him, the US killed OBL, and that we were cheering his death, we need to reflect on how the rest of the world views that. As Americans, we certainly didn’t take kindly to Iranians cheering when the Twin Towers fell.
“Wow lots of people celebrating in WH & Times Square: it is just like watching Iran after a terrorist attack – the US is the same as them…” [twitter]
When you examine the newspaper headlines (see some here), it is understandable how this may inflame the fanatics. And I’m not trying to be a buzz kill.
To fill time on air, the bobble-heads on CNN and MSNBC kept repeating words like invaded, killed, assassinated. They even said, “This was a kill operation.” This was a military operation against a terrorist. It needed to be told that way.
One of the CNN analysts even stated that Pakistan should be embarrassed. Of course, the backlash came this morning when Musharraf condemned the ‘violation of our sovereignty’. CIA Director Panetta stated this morning that al-Qaida will ‘almost certainly’ attempt to avenge bin Laden death. Let me remind you that a dead Bin Laden no more means the end of terrorism than a black president meant the end of racism. He will be martyred and others will take up his mantle. Our media should think first about whether they are fanning the flames of hatred.
Not too long ago, a Florida minister burned a Koran, which incited violence in Afghanistan. Others paid the price.
Yes, of course, it’s closure. Yes, we should take the time to remember those lost in the 10 years since 9/11. (Here are the astonishing numbers!) And this action definitely says that “We will be relentless in the defense of our citizens.” But temper it with the fact that perhaps celebrating a death is kind of dishonorable. That we still have soldiers in military zones. That North Africa and the Middle East – Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, even Somalia and Lebanon – are experiencing unrest at levels unseen in my lifetime.
The beacon of hope was when Americans crowded together and sang the National Anthem. It was not whooping it up while yelling “Rot in Hell, you bastard!” We need to be a beacon of hope and light. Most of the world does not have a good feeling about America. As President Obama said, “We will be true to the values that make us who we are.”
To the US Military: “Thank you for doing your job so well that the rest of us can sit on our couch and cheer the television.” [twitter] Here’s a good way to support Special Forces: http://www.nswfoundation.org/. Or donate some care packages to the men and women that serve http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=164.
A couple of parting thoughts from others: opinion at NYT; and OBL’s obit.
I will say that all the jokes about 4square and the iPhone at a time like that is classless. Also, the number of folks who had to pick on the President’s speech – nitpicking about everything – even in that moment. It is utterly amazing to me. And for certain everyone has made blunders – especially me – but how would you have performed? What would you have said at that press conference?
