Late night boldness

Sometimes, I wonder about our world. It's kind of a crazy place.

Osama was murdered May 2, 2011. Finally, some say.

I'll be brief, I have little to say on this said topic, but I also feel the need to share my convictions. His death has catalyzed a myriad of complex debates in various subjects within my social circles, ranging from ethical, religious, political and even issues of celebration....

As for this post... I'd like to stay as broad, vague and general as possible, not trying to feed the flame here, guys/gals. Sorry if its an irritating post, but I'm not trying to narrow my thoughts and sincerely believe that sometimes you need to stay obtuse...

I was lying in bed when I heard my roommate, Blair, yell out,"Osama was killed," from her computer in the dining room. Initially I was overcome by that feeling when you finish reading a chapter in Harry Potter or what ever page turner you love--a clear sense of transition, a tickling of speculation, hints of anticipation for whats to come... It's in these moments you know nothing will ever be the same, yet everything is still the immediately the same. How do you react?

Me? I was ambivalent.

There is not doubt that Osama bin Laden was the face of terrorism for America, a poster boy, if you will for 9/11. The man was after all one of the main proprietors for Al Qaeda, a terrorist group who was ultimately responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. With this said, I also know very little about the political repercussions of his death nor his previous involvement with actual terrorist acts... whether the outcome will be be good or bad, I haven't the slightest idea, nor do I want to do the research to try to find out. I just hope to God, for the benefit of humanity, good things are to come of this.

Regardless of my inadequacy in this, I do feel like I have right to add to the on going dialogue of this event. Don't worry, I don't have anything complex to add to this because my response can be summed up, actually, by the lack of my response. I guess I didn't realize how much Osama had been pinned as Man of Terror by America, I thought this war on Terror was more of a metaphor for other things...

Now, don't take me as some apathetic person or some un-American. 'Cause I'm neither. I simply want to stand outside of America's current circle of celebration. In my head, I do not see Osama's death as an ending to Al Qaeda or terrorism in general, nor do I see it as bring about justice or vengeance. America's response just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Forgive me, my point is trite, but I stand by it and I fully believe it. Murder doesn't undo murder.

I am ultimately against murder under every circumstance. But, I also am willing to ask the question: is terminating a societally-poisonous human sometimes the only answer?

Eh, possibly. Who's to know?

When your right arm is choking you, is it time to cut it off? Or is is time to tie behind your back? Or is it time to call in the professionals to re-train the thing to act like a normal right arm?

Who's to know?

I guess, I am trying to say is Who's to know if this was a good thing or not for America, I'm sure everyone is wondering what is going tohappen in the next chapter. I just don't think the death of Osama can take away any of the tears that have been cried, ease any of the pain that has been felt, or comfort any of the broken hearted that have been affected by this war. In other words, what has been done, has been done, and the real question is: What can we do restore peace? Murder does not undo murder. So why continue the circle?

Who's to know?

Although one could say, maybe, it has prevented and saved future tears, deaths and heartache. And I fully believe that may be true. So I guess, I correct my belief to this:

Murder doesn't undo murder, and although murder can prevent future murder... Someone is still murdered at the end of the day.

I'm all about justice. Really I am. I am also very sensitive to the victims, the fallen and the hurt. I want you to feel better. I want to bring back your loved ones. I do, I sincerely do... I can never imagine the amount of pain, hurt and heartache one must have gone and is still going through. It is a world of suffering.

All I am wondering is since when was the pre-requisite of a justice-giver becoming a murderer also? Maybe I'm a little naive, but I thought justice came in a different form. I don't understand where we got led astray.

So America, I let you do the celebrating, I'm gonna sit this round out. I don't support murder and I don't believe in your version of justice.