Late yesterday President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden.
I did a post on Friday about how world events can unite us and give us common experiences and this news certainly applies. It seemed everything stood still for about an hour as we waited for the president to speak. Then people started to gather at the White House, the former site of the World Trade Center, Time Square, memorial sites, universities and other places to celebrate.
I was at home when I heard the news and I watched, just like everyone else, but the whole thing seemed kind of twisted to me. I may get some flack for this, but I wasn’t celebrating.
It seems wrong to celebrate the murder of someone, even if the man killed was a murderer himself.
Bin Laden has been compared to Hitler and Stalin, and the New York Times called him the “most wanted face of terrorism.” I will celebrate the fact that he is no longer in power and no longer ordering acts of murder and terrorism. I will celebrate that this could be a step toward the end of the War on Terror. But murder is still murder.
I saw this quote on Facebook and it says how I feel better than the words I seem to be typing: “I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Family members of victims of 9-11 were interviewed last night on the news. The consensus seemed to be that bin Laden’s death doesn’t change much for them. It won’t bring back their loved one. And while it’s a relief that he’s no longer the head of al-Qaeda, the fears are that there will be an uprising and retaliation effort on behalf of bin Laden.
I know we had to do something to defend ourselves and others after 9-11 and I thank God that I’m not the president and I didn’t have to make this decision.
Anyway, I thought I’d post some photos today of some things I’ve shot since 9-11. They sort of represent the local effect of the War on Terror.
It’s been a big news weekend. Hopefully things will calm down a bit and I can get back to posting my most recent shots on Wednesday. As always, thanks for reading!