I can honestly say I was one of those people that never believed Osama bin Laden would be apprehended or killed by anyone and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't happy he was dead. I, like a lot of Americans apparently, are quite happy.
I guess the real question becomes, what does it really mean? Will we rapidly begin demobilizing from Afgahanistan now that U.S. troops have killed bin Laden in Pakistan? I would hope so, but something tells me that it won't be that simple. Will al-Qaeda cease to exist as a terrorist organization? With pro-democracy movements spreading like a virus across the Middle East, are we on the verge of a new era of peace and prosperity? As much as I will choose to hope for the best, I'm pretty sure the answer to both of those questions will be a resounding "no".
The relentless questioner in me also has other annoying questions that will cut the euphoria a bit, and I'm sure many of these questions will go unanswered in my lifetime--for instance, how did bin Laden get safe passage into a mansion in exurban Islamabad? Will there be reprisals against the U.S. and its citizens, both here and abroad?
This much I am certain of...tonight, whether you support him and his policies or not, President Barack Obama became the runaway front-runner to win reelection in 2012. Think back to his 2008 campaign promises...stimulate the economy partially through tackling health care reform--I'll give that half a check. Bring Osama bin Laden to justice--check. Meanwhile the Republicans give us buffoons, racists, idiots, deviants and bald-faced liars. Good luck with that.
I would not have been at all shocked if President Obama had strode up to the podium and said, "We killed Osama bin Laden. Suck it bitches", and then thrown down the microphone alt-comic style and just walked out of the White House while giving the Black Power salute. In some ways, that might have been appropriate, although I guess it also would not have been presidential. Whatever that means.
How do I feel? I'm glad we can turn the page on Osama bin Laden and that we can give a little bit of closure, just a little bit, to all of the victims of his heinous terrorist attacks. But don't think for a moment that it solves everything.
Sincerely, your handsome dark cloud on a sunny day...
Peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment