I've been reading a lot of articles on the death of Osama Bin Laden and the new evidence uncovered on the terrorist group, Al-Qaida. Its just interesting to see a true result from a decade longwar on terrorism. But what I found rather striking and sort of repulsing was the disbelief of the general public of Bin Laden's death. Instead of being happy and feeling a bit more safe, people question the legitamacy of this good news because of the fact that they didn't, firsthand see the body. Is it really too much to just believe what our government says? I know there are people who love conspiracy theories and the idea of an oppressive and tyranical governement but I don't think our governemnt would really lie about this. What would they have to gain from lying? Sure the leader of Al-Qaida is dead but there are still others ready to fill in his shoes. We will still be in a arduous war against terrorism and are still engaged in two differnt wars. Honestly, I see no reason for doubting the truthfulness and integrity of our government especially in this instance.
Another thing that had me shaking my head was the constant stream of facebook posts, blogs, and radio hosts that cheered at the death of Bin Laden and said things like "may he rot in hell" and so on. Yes it's good that the face of terrorism in the middle east is no longer alive. But to celebrate anyone's death in such zealousness is just downright wrong. Yes he killed thousands of people and planned to kill more and deserved the end he met. Still if we dance and sing over his grave, how are we any better than those who support and encourage suicide bombers and sing about the death of their victims. As Americans, we have a responsibility to act in a dignified and respectful manner and be the bigger man. Otherwise we are just sinking to the level of our dreaded enemies and their barbaric tactics that we claim to discourage and disapprove.
- Jacob Sanchez
I couldn't agree more with this post. When I found out that Bin Laden had been killed I will admit I was immediately happy. However, I wasn't so much happy for the death of Obama as I was for the closure that families who were directly affected by 9/11 would have. I do believe that it was right to kill Obama, I'm not one of those "let him rot in prison" type of people. But excessively celebrating a human death is just plain tacky. And on the government's integrity, I agree with you saying that we as Americans have no reason to doubt what the government is saying. Claiming that the most sought after man in the world is dead, is a pretty big thing to proclaim. I don't always agree with the choices made by our government, but I don't see them making such an accusation without being entirely certain.
ReplyDelete- Shelby H.
It's a sad fact of life that America has spent an inordinate amount of time cheering over someone's death. Am I happy that Osama bin Laden died? To an extent. It's good that we don't have to worry about the terrorist but the excessive amount of cheering that went on about it isn't something that I approve of either. I doubt that everyone will realize that we are acting childishly. However, hopefully at least enough of us recognize that we should be the more mature people and handle what happens with maturity and tact.
ReplyDeleteByron C.
I believe that Osama was killed, but I disagree that we should always trust our government. The government isn't full of super nice guys who are there simply to better the United States. If you were talking about the government back when the United States started, then sure, I would completely agree with your statement in that there is no reason to doubt our government, but ever since then, especially the past 30 years, we have completely changed what our founding father's meant to do, and soon we will pay for it, if not already. People do what's in their best interest, that's just nature. Therefore, it is a completely foolish notion that one should trust everybody. To put no doubt into our government is also a foolish action in my perspective. Despite all this, I do agree that it is wrong of us to celebrate to such extent the death of someone, even Osama, even if he is a mass murderer.
ReplyDeleteoh the above comment was by Daniel Hawkins
ReplyDeleteI entirely agree. The celebration of any death isn't right, however it doesn't seem like the government wanted America to necessarily celebrate Bin Ladens death, but to finally give closure to families impacted by his actions just as Shelby had stated. Death isn't for anyone to celebrate, but to feel at ease because of death is a different story.
ReplyDelete- Anthony
To celebrate the end of anyone’s life seems very immature to me. Also people have become skeptical about everything in the world it seems, especially when it regards to the government. This reminded me of an earlier blog I read http://thisisindexed.com/2011/04/you-cant-use-logic-against-belief/
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post that we should not celebrated the "death", I know he was responsible for the killing of thousands though the celebrating and chanting of ones death reminds be of those without direction or of revenge. Now did we search for Bin Laden out of revenge or to prevent further terror being spread throughout the world. From the Attitude of some It has become evident that some wished to take revenge, is that how we want the next generation to grow up?
ReplyDelete--Josiah Keagy
Well said, Jake! I was so annoyed by all the facebook posts like "Osama's dead! YAY!!" ... Really? You're so right when you say how unacceptable it is to celebrate the death of even the most hated people. It's completely hypocritical. Of course we can all breathe a sigh of relief, or even think those thoughts in our minds, but to display them for the world to see? That's a bit overboard.
ReplyDelete-Dayna M.
I definitely agree with Byron. To be quite honest, i didn't really feel anything other than a slight relief when i heard that Osama Bin Laden died. Sure, we didn't have to worry about being attacked again but there are others out there who are going to take his place. And when people started to celebrate, i realized how immature and insensitive people in our society are. I realize that Bin Laden's death is a great sight of relief and closure to many, but celebrating a death is just untactful. Although we shouldn't respect Osama Bin Laden, we should respect the fact that he was once a human being who is now dead.
ReplyDelete