This morning I woke up to the pouring rain. It was freezing (by Texas standards) outside and I ran/splashed my way to the car. I tuned to my favorite radio station which was playing a commercial so I clicked on another one to pass a few moments before checking back with Kidd, Kellie, and Big Al.
What I heard reduced me to tears. And I really can't explain why. I heard a clip being replayed from President Obama announcing the death of Osama bin Laden. At first I couldn't believe it. I thought it had to be a joke or a mistake. I flipped back to the other radio station to hear Kellie discussing the news with the rest of the group. I began to sob. My heart was filled with sorrow. I wanted to feel peace and joy but I couldn't.
I am not sorry that bin Laden is no longer a threat to this country. He can no longer indoctrinate young Muslims into believing in terrorism. Bin Laden will be plotting no more attacks. He is responsible for thousands of deaths. Not only those who died in the attacks on September 11, but also those soldiers and civilians who are casualties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But I was overwhelmed by the replay of the emotions I had following the 9/11 attacks. The sorrow for the families that lost loved ones. The pain I felt for those who had to suffer. The awe I felt for those brave souls who gave their lives to save us from another attack.
I know this is not the end of the war on terrorism. Another extremist will at least attempt to take bin Laden's place. People will continue to fight and to die. I wish this could be the end. I wish it could be as final as Hitler's death was to WWII.
I wish the world could be as peaceful as it seemed to be in my innocent childhood.
1 comment:
Yeah. I'm not sure how I feel about this news either. When I saw the news that Osama bin Laden was dead, I thought it was a joke too. But when I realized it was real, I didn't really have any kind of emotional reaction. I wasn't glad he was dead, but I wasn't sad either. To be honest, I still don't really understand why so many people are rejoicing at his death. I guess I just feel like you do, that someone else will take his place.
I am sure, however, that this news has helped many people find closure, and for that I am glad.
And I am also proud of our military for serving our country.
I guess I'm just a downer though, because I feel like in so many ways, Osama already won. Countless lives have been lost on both sides of the war on terror. Our government declared war on terror. Our daily lives have changed due to 9/11. Killing Osama hasn't changed and won't change any of those things. It just means there's one less terrorist.
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