Sober Satisfaction

Late last night, CSI: Miami was rudely interrupted for a CBS Special News Report. At the time I was pissed because it was the last 10 minutes and we were literally about to find out who the murderer was. My money was on the brother. However, they were soon forgiven as I read the breaking-news headline.

Osama bin Laden is Dead.

I was on Miami Beach when the news about the Towers came over the radio. The life-guard on duty had it on and people just started to gather around. I'd landed at the airport the night before, having flown in from Heathrow so that I could take a further education class for my Scuba Instructor training. To be honest it was weird, I guess because I felt so disassociated from the whole thing. The closest thing I could imagine was the IRA bombings that were always happening as I was growing up.

My initial reaction to last nights news was "no way..." but that soon turned into "good." This is something that needed to happen, just like the Allied Forces "needed" to get Hitler during WWII. Its important that the USA has cut the head off the snake, and that they have taken great pains to undoubtedly confirm the identity of Osama bin Laden and that they have quietly disposed of the body, by all reports in the Islamic tradition. It's an important piece of propaganda.

Someone I know wrote the following:

What I feel is not patriotic flag waving nor chants of "USA!" either. This is not a moment of celebration. This is certainly not joy. It is not anything simple enough to be contained in a 3.5 minute news story cobbled together hours after it happened...

I have to admit that I was somewhat relieved to read these words, written by an American. I have been trying to gather my thoughts for most of the day and although I am glad that this nation can get a little closure for the aweful events of not only 9/11 but also for all the other terrorist activities that preceded and followed that day, I am also a little disturbed by the way some Americans are celebrating the news.

I have feelings of guilt for the way I feel but to me this is bittersweet. The images of people chanting "USA! USA!" in the streets disturbs me. I find it crass and uncouth. I feel that it makes us no better than those that would burn the flag or parade hostages.

I think the Canadian Prime Minister said it best "Canada receives the news of the death of Osama bin Laden with sober satisfaction. Sadly, others will take his place."