Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Right or Wrong?

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." 

- Mark Twain


I love this quote.  It nicely sums up my feelings regarding Bin Laden's death and the celebration that ensued afterwards.

Facebook was flooded with snarky comments and quick witted reactions to this event.  News Channels boasted major cities with flag waving pro-Americans hooting and hollering.

As I watched the news with Carter that evening, I was torn with how to explain our country's behavior.  I tried to reason with the situation and show Carter that we are a country forever scarred by the events of 9-11.  He was a baby at that time.  Too young to remember the sadness, the fear, and the aftermath of worry.....wondering if more tragedy was in our future.


I am immensely proud of our military.  I can only imagine the immediate satisfaction that followed his capture.  Thousands of men have given their lives in the name of peace and justice.  It was a great victory for our nation.

While I understand the need to end evil, and I do believe that Bin Laden was evil through and through, I wonder if rejoicing over death is ever appropriate?

Am I over-thinking this? 

What are your thoughts?

20 comments:

Becca Jane said...

I agree with you. More than being "happy" about his death, I'm mourning the sad life he lived and the assured judgment he will receive from God. Whether we believe it or not, we are ALL children of a loving Heavenly Father who always wants us to live our best. I'm sure those who died on 9/11 will receive their reward.

Leiah said...

The fact that someone cut down the flagpole at LSU and then burned the American flag has got me so riled up I can't even write anything coherent about the situation. I'm totally with you on the quote too - I think it perfectly sums up what every person with a conscious and a soul is feeling.

The Jones Family said...

"Tell them Bin Laden's dead without proof of a body & they celebrate. Tell them Jesus died & rose without proof of a body & they speculate."

I stole this off of Matthews fb post this morning. Love the quote you used as well and believe it does sum up my own feelings as well. Him dying doesn't change what we've all experienced and the reality is that we are all in fear of what will come next. This isn't over so all we can do is pray for those men and woman who have fought & will continue to fight for us all.

The Jones Family said...

Check out this blog post on the link if you can go.
Perfectly stated!

http://www.emergingmummy.com/2011/05/in-which-osama-bin-laden-is-dead.html

donatelli98 said...

Great post Casey - my co-worker and I were discussing this yesterday. I too am immensely proud of our military and the sacrafices they made for our country. I think more than anything I was relieved that they finally found him. I think for some closer to 9/11 and/or the war (lost loved ones in 9/11 or lost loved ones in the war) I can kind of understand the celebration. But the sad thing is, this isn't the end of the war on terrorism - it is only one piece, a big piece yes, but still just one piece. I hope we don't lose sight of the ultimate goal which it to irradicate the threat of terrorism.

Dee Stephens said...

I just did a similar post. I personally was shocked and glad that they finally got Osama but I felt no relief b/c he is just one man and they've even said that he hasn't been involved in the day to day for a year or so.
Giving that.. we have a long way to.
When seeing the cheers - my gut was -- this is disturbing. Brad said the same thing.
My actual thought was --The Bible says 'thou shalt not kill'. Now what do we tell our children?

starnes family said...

Brown Eyed Girls Mom - thanks! I was sure I'd be crossed off the Republican list for this post!

donatelli98 said...

No way you would be crossed off Casey - I almost made a comment in my earlier post that I bet a some liberals would be suprised that many of us conservatives didn't agree with the celebrations and that I would bet the people celebrating were a large mix of both sides. You are still one of favorite Republicans - even if you were moccasins!!!

Kristen said...

You know my thoughts.... I did not rejoice.

I too am grateful for our military. They are braver and more selfless than I could ever dream of being myself. And none of us will really ever be able to repay them for the debts they have paid in our names.

But I did not celebrate or cheer at the news of his death. I do think the world is a better place now. But death is not something to celebrate in my book.

starnes family said...

Forgot to mention, too, that the U.S.'s celebration in the streets reminded me of other nations rejoicing as the Twin Towers crumbled.

Jodee said...

I, too, am torn. It's even harder to explain to the kids. We live in such a sad world.

The Soladay Family said...

In this instance, I feel it's more than appropriate the be happy. I hate to say it, but he got what he deserved!

Shannon said...

Roger Ebert Tweeted this on Monday:

----------------------
I am against the Death Penalty. I rejoice that Bin Laden was killed. "Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself." (Whitman)
----------------------

I agree w/him but also don't think the public celebrations are appropriate.

Sara said...

I just said something similar on my post today. I'm not sure that rejoicing about his death is appropriate, but I did it anyway. And I have to say that I'm relieved that he's off the face of this earth. Democrat or Republican - you gotta agree with the fact that this guy was pure evil and the world is a better place without him.

And to what Leiah said about the American flag at LSU - they should be ashamed of themselves. Why anyone does this is beyond me??? Then again - we live in the land of the free and they're free to do it. Once again, they can thank our military for that. Whether they realize it or not.

Kelly Beatty said...

I was a little bit relieved to hear it...but I know it's not the end. And that sucks. I did have a nice glass of wine to celebrate however. Then, I remembered those families who lost loved ones on the USS COLE, the embassies, and Sept 11th. I bet they're relieved too.

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