The euphoric outpouring of emotion following the President’s announcement that Osama Bin Laden had been assassinated ten years after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 has been called crass, low class, and a number of other things. I have read that people celebrating “don’t understand”, “are taking things too far”, or are “showing the world the worst of what America has to offer”.
I disagree.
The shadowy face of terrorism and fear has been that of Osama Bin Laden. The Patriot Act passed in Congress, and the invasion of Iraq signed off on because there wasn’t a person who could be held accountable. Americans have been walking around for ten years with the tension of the unknown in their shoulders since the first plane hit the World Trade. All those people dancing and singing and crying and hugging and partying last night because Bin Laden is dead have been carrying the fear and dread of September 11, 2001 around with them for ten years, and they shed it last night publicly. Good for them. Good for us.
The boogeyman is dead.
Assassinating Osama Bin Laden won’t end terrorism. It won’t even end Al Qaeda. But is has slain the mythical dragon. His death lifts a shroud of uncertainty, which found it’s expression in many different ways last night.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Men and Women in Uniform.
Related Articles
- Osama Bin Laden Pronounced Dead…For the Ninth Time (spktruth2power.wordpress.com)
- Reactions To Osama Bin Laden Assassination (sfist.com)
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