Nearly a decade ago, after the events of 911, a friend who is a long-distance trucker came back from the States and advised me not to travel there in the near future. He figured that with my height and facial features some nut would mistake me for Osama Bin Laden and shoot me dead. I have been to the U.S. several times since then and no one has taken any pot shots. But Bin Laden remained at large. Speculation was that he was living in a cave, or had succumbed to illness. Well, no, he was living in a mansion in a military city not that far from Pakistan's capital. With allies such as these, who needs enemies.
The Americans killed Bin Laden yesterday and he has already been buried at sea, so we're told. An evil and violent man came to a violent end. It's hard to imagine anyone in the West regretting his death. My initial reaction was "thank God." Americans celebrated in the streets, including firefighters in New York City who had lost comrades in the 911 attacks.
Still, it was interesting to hear the reactions of family members of Canadians who died in the Twin Towers attack. One said that she was relieved that he was dead, although her father was not an "eye for an eye" person. The other offered that she gained no satisfaction from the death of one person as retribution for the death of her daughter. The "eye for eye" comment was a direct quote from scripture.
In the Old Testament the principle of an "eye for an eye" was put forward as a way to limit escalating tribal violence. Revenge or restititution needed to be limited to equal compensation or justice. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus challenged this, saying "you have heard it said, an eye for an eye," then went on to encourage his listeners to turn the other cheek.
Is it possible to apply either of these precepts in the dealings between nations? Jesus taught it, but do we actually believe it? Should we ever thank God for the death of another human being?
7 comments:
In this case, "eye for an eye" feelings are more than warranted.
We are all witness to a profound moment in history today. What this does for the Obama presidency remains to be seen, but I suspect it will elevate him above the present domestic economic fray into a president like FDR or JFK - presidents who defined two generations in terms of their "where were you then?" emotional significance. I think it's fair comment to suggest this could seal the 2012 election for him.
As for 9/11, I remember that day, the shock, the horror the feeling of universal disgust and anxiousness and I look at today as the turning of the page on all of that. So many people can now close the book and continue their healing.
The world is a different place today, that's for sure.
9/11 was an event that is burned in to the collective consciousness of a large number of North Americans, myself included. Having worked in Emergency Services, you do truly feel a comradery with your brothers and sisters. We had been sheltered from the types of attacks and explicit expressions of hatred and religious fanaticism in our little corner of the world.
Osama Bin Laden was the cause and trigger of such terrible happenings here and abroad. I can't say I'm disappointed that he was killed by US Special Forces. But, I did question the morality of that same killing. I think, much like Saddam Hussein, he NEEDED to stand trial for the atrocities that he's caused. More for the families of the fallen to heal, and finally get on with their lives.
His body having been buried at sea seems rather unlikely, to be completely honest. If indeed he has been killed, then I would tend to think his body would end up in cold storage, somewhere in some deep, dark American bunker.
You just know the conspiracy theory will be starting any minute now, if it hasn't already. Just like landing on the moon and Elvis' death, some people will ask, "Did it really happen?"
I don't shed any tears for Bin Laden, but for anyone who ever thought that Pakistan was a truly ally and sincerely fought against terrorism, this should be a wake up call.
I think this says it all.
"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
Wow, there are some very excellent comments here. I spent 10 years devoted to the defense of our country and have had some very dear friends in Afghanistan. I will not relish Bin Laden's death, but he is the figure head for a cowardly organization that kills without remorse or prejudice. They have slaughtered civilians of afghanistan, USA, Canada, Yemen and the list goes on and on. His standing of trial would have been ideal, but individuals who believe in human shields do not believe in surrendering. The world is a different place today, a head of the hydra has been removed, will 2 grow back?
I agree Shane, thoughtful comments all, including yours. Thanks everyone.
I'll not miss Osama, but he was only one of many.
I don't wish them all to meet the same fate. I wish we could all just stop killing each other.
Simple?
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