I was going to write a post about simple pleasures tonight as part of a link up. It just feels wrong to do that and so I have written this instead.
Today, like so many people, I heard the news that Osama Bin Laden, was dead. And I was happy. It feels fundamentally wrong to be happy a man is dead. Because I was not raised in a religion, or a family, or a country where people are taught to hate.
But Osama Bin Laden was responsible for a culture of hate. He and his regime hated everything I value as the citizen of a free and liberal country. He was also responsible for the most hideous world event in my living memory.
I don't think his death will right any wrongs. Because the wrongs are so wrong they can never be righted. Nor do I think it will be the end of his regime. Because the hatred is like the mythical Hydra - the head may be cut off but others will take its place.
But sitting here, on a beautiful still Australian evening, I can't help being glad he is dead. Because I am only human. And his crimes were unforgivable.
(I promise this blog will stop jumping all over the place and return to its regular form with dinky tractor photos, recipes and pictures of gum trees.)
10 comments:
No, I like the jumping around. I'm guilty of this as well.
The death of Osama Bin Laden is not the end of anything. It's such a complex situation now. What is right and wrong is not entirely clear.
Who knows what the future holds?
At times like this, perhaps the best we can do is just appreciate what we have in front of us. To live in the now.
SSG xxx
Sydney Shop Girl blog
Well said. Agree wholeheartedly x
Great post. Sums up what a lot of people might be feeling right now. Circumstances today led to me having to explain to my 6 year old son that a very cruel man was dead and my son was sad because someone had died. Sigh.
I think your's is a fair reaction.
I don't think OBL was going to come out peacefully with his hands above his head. I just read the description of his safe and impenetrable compound. Bit hypocritical of him really.
Yes I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same when I heard. Happy at first and then it just felt so wrong to be happy someone is dead. Very confusing.
I don't mind if you jump topics either - it's all interesting :)
I agree with your two mindedness on this - it seems so wrong to celebrate someone's death.
I think his death is a symbol to the Americans, but it doesn't mean much as he was no longer effectively leading any group. As you say, something else will pop up in his place.
I'm pissed at Channel 9 for showing a photo of his dead face, then reeling off images of the plane hitting the World Trade Centre in front of my 4 year old, with no adequate warning. "Mummy, why is that building falling down? What happened to the plane?" How do I answer that?
His dead face may very well be the first dead face I've seen on TV, and I am 31: my son is 4. 4!! Not good enough.
Well said. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. And jump all over the place as much as you like.
Where are you TRM? Brisbane news gave two warnings that the image was coming up.
TDM xx
It is hard to understand how I can be joyous over another persons death, but I was, when i heard i raised my fist into the air and screamed YES! YEEESSSS! like someone had scored a goal at the football. When i see rainbows and happiness in my backyard its hard to imagine that there are people out there wanting blood on their hands, but this is the scarey world in which we live.
I agree. I feel happy but slightly queasy. Like I should open champagne but I can't tell H what we're drinking to tonight or he'll think I'm a complete weirdo...
I know what you mean, I felt the same way too. One minute I was happy that the madman had been finally found and killed, but being happy over someone's death isn't something you would normally celebrate. It also made me wonder if there will be an aftermath.
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