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writing for godot

More Obama in America, More America in the World

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Sunday, 15 May 2011 21:44



The audacious special forces attack that resulted in the death of bin Laden is still the subject of serious debate and emotional commentary, not only in the US, but around the world. I was particularly inspired by these thoughtful words from Dominique Moisi in LE FIGARO (translated from French), "With the hope for a reconciled world upon us, will al-Qaeda and its deceased leader be seen as a barbaric anachronism? Or will a sense of humiliation prevail, and lead to anti-Western words and deeds? Nothing has been settled for sure — neither the fight against al-Qaeda and terrorism, nor regional stability in a Middle East expanded to include Pakistan and Afghanistan."

"But on a symbolic level, since yesterday there is a little more of Obama in America and a little more of America in the world."

Unlike the Bush administration who abandoned the hunt for bin Laden preferring instead to invade Iraq, President Obama was determined to find the world’s most wanted man. It took focus and determination to find bin Laden, and in the end it took courage and ‘sang froid’ to launch the raid that killed him. The toll in American casualties from our war in Iraq exceeds 4,000. The operation of May 2nd left bin Laden and four others dead. A single raid involving a demonstration of skill and intelligence rather than military might did more to bring honor and closure to the American people, and those who lost friends and family on 9/11, than years of war in Iraq would ever do.

Rather than indulge in thoughts of the world's most wanted man's fascination with pornography, the following collection of comments, representing the hearts and minds of Americans residing in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, focuses on strategic foreign policy and human rights issues.

Pat Wilson --
Resonating clearly above the smoke of collapsing buildings and screams of crashing jets, a quiet blanket has been rolled out that may somehow dampen the pain of the survivors and settle the dust. Ten years later and one more despot is gone; some kind of justice or revenge or ‘eye for eye’ has been momentarily achieved at the cost of thousands of other lives on both sides. One would hope that in the end love and sanity would prevail over chaos, but the yin and yang of meaningless conflict seems to be the endless cycle of the human condition, and one we are apparently condemned to repeat.

Harold Garde --
It is not unusual that I have a somewhat complex and contradictory response to a political event, i.e. the murder of bin Laden. The manner and circumstance of his killing made me wish there had been a prior world court kind of trial, in absentia, that condemned Bin Laden to death. I truly believe that had they captured him it would have been almost a non-brainer for his supporters to grab officials that they could hold hostage (and kill off ) as a program to secure Bin Laden’s release. Far better that he is dead. That he instigated, supported and was behind 9/11 and other deaths is not quite, albeit so very close, to being fully acceptable common knowledge. Not underestimating that, yet without pronounced guilt in a world court type of trial, I am uneasy. Assassination by government sanction is not a policy with which I can be wholly comfortable. That said, I am glad the raid was successful, and I am glad that bin Laden is dead.

Rabbi S. Howard Schwartz --
The thoughtful comments of such a cross-section of thinkers are provoking. It seems all of us want peace as much as we want a just, responsible, reasoned, caring government in Washington. I believe that the only road to peace everywhere will be built by thinking men and women, who are accountable, caring, with a wider vision than patriotism of the flag-waving kind can produce. We need more statesmen like our current President, and the intellectuals around him; and no more corporate puppets like Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, and George H.W. Bush, with their excursions into Iraq. President Dwight David Eisenhower, who commissioned me a Lieutenant in the USAF in 1960, warned our nation about “the military-industrial complex”, which still dominates our political and economic life.

We must do more than pray for peace, we must work for justice, so that peace can follow.

Sue Jones --
I have mixed feelings about killing him. In a way it was best because there was no way a trial could be done without creating a circus. We are a violent people so the cheering over his death is not unexpected. It still makes me very uncomfortable to see such blood lust after his demise. I do, however, give Obama credit for taking such a bold move. You could see the anxiety in their faces while watching this operation.

Joanne Reilly --
At first, when I heard that Bin Laden was dead, I felt a rush of adrenalin and said “Yes! Justice is served!” Then, for a moment I felt a sadness. His death does not bring back the lives lost by his hand. There have always been “Bin Laden’s” by other names, and sadly there are others in this world that use their power to murder for their sick purposes. The war on terror will continue. I pray for the day when education for all and kindness towards each other takes away the power of those who choose violence to achieve their goals. “Know hope!”

Bill Maul --
Let Bin Laden stay quietly buried at sea.I’d say show no pictures. Many wouldn’t believe pictures of a dead Bin Laden anymore than those who still don’t believe printed copies of Obama’s long form birth certificate. Anything this country does regarding the bin Laden Pakistan raid will only send adrenalin through the al-qaeda operatives. Let him stay quietly buried at sea. I feel this event will quickly pass from the scene, however, the battle over the budget will loom larger and larger as we attempt to keep the government running, and as we draw closer to the 2012 budget. As I see it, that’s where the toughest battles for the Democrats will take place.

Trudy Duffy --
The death of Osama Bin Laden made me recall a beautiful commentary about the deep love and generosity of the souls lost that day.

On 9/11 the people in the flaming towers and planes wanted to tell others how much they loved them. When faced with certain death we now know beyond any doubt what people do. They forgot about themselves as they called those they loved and laid their lives down for others. When speaking their last words, they were lovers. They broke free of death and judgment by giving themselves so completely that, before time runs out, they are already immersed in the eternal.

Dick Strauss, (GeniusFoundation.org) --
Thoughts concerning death of Osama bin Laden…
If my loved one had perished or been wounded in a terrorist attack for which bin Laden took credit, I would probably be celebrating that justice had been done…
I, personally, am not overjoyed that even more killing has been done…I would have preferred that he had been arrested and brought to trial…
It is time to disassemble the structure for creating terrorists:

Religions must become inclusive, rather than exclusive…preaching love, respect and understanding toward all peoples and religions
Governments must respect their citizens…and pledge to provide basic needs to each and everyone
Businesses must recognize their responsibility to society…pure greed is not good
Individuals must show respect to their family members, their community and all of mankind!

Let’s re-direct people from being willing to die and kill for a cause ...to people being willing to live and work for a cause…for the betterment of all mankind!
I guess you could say…make love, not war!
I think I heard that before...just some thoughts.

Lynda Mays --
History tells us that the end of one war always marks the beginning of another. We Americans will remain “the Ugly American” until we learn to see ourselves as the rest of the world sees us and have the courage of compassion for all peoples.

Donald Megnin --
Mr. Obama is wisely using the resources he has to enhance the universal interest in improving the lives of all peoples. The recent death of bin Laden should be a reminder that the Pakistanis knew where he was living for six years but did nothing to arrest him as an international criminal. Unless other nation-states participate in helping to keep the world safe, then we had better work to create a world community that takes an active interest in causes supportive of human beings everywhere! This is the subtle goal which the President may be pursuing by using limited means to topple despots!

Donatella Young --
Much has been said about the assassination of Osama Bin Laden therefore I will only say that I hope that his death will be the cathartic event to bring the troops home from Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. The immature cheering by some Americans is not the proper response to Osama bin Laden’s death. This should be a time of reflection and remembrance of the horrific events of 9/11. I agree with President Obama that we not show pictures of bin Laden’s body. It does not serve any purpose to do so, and exhibiting photos will not bring us one step closer to peace.

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