Monday, May 2, 2011

Worth Celebrating?

I am Susannah, and I love the British Monarchy.  I admit it! I never had a crush on William or planned to go to college at Cambridge or anything, but, seriously, who can resist the appeal of the royal family (well... my husband, but really... he's a boy)?

I was talking to my sister, Brett, last Thursday.  I suggested she watch the wedding coverage live because she typically wakes up with her three kids around 6 am anyway.  She retorted that I should watch it live, too! Why? I  asked.  I can sleep in.

She made a really good point to me... History is happening all around us every day.  The majority of "important" news, however, has been natural disasters, corrupt politicians, wars, and deaths.  Why not expose yourself to some good news? It just doesn't happen all that often. 


I fell for that, and watched the coverage live.  And I'm really glad I was part of that moment.  Everyone (alive at that time) remembers Diana's wedding and death, and this is one of those events that will be analyzed, talked about, and remembered for years to come.

Then I found out Monday morning that Osama Bin Laden had finally been found and killed by the U.S. Navy SEALS.
 Back to making history with terrorism and murder.

I was a freshman in high school when the Towers were struck, and vividly remember the devastation, hurt, and paranoia we witnessed through tv coverage that entire day and many, many more to follow.  It was a completely evil, senseless (to me) act.  Thousands of lives were unnecessarily cut short and affected.  I hate that that event happened, that anyone felt it could be justified, that so many of God's special spirits were taken from the earth and their families in that way, and that a decade-long war affecting even more lives shortly ensued.  

I think the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden was expected to be closure for lots of people.  Retribution, maybe. Revenge.  Fairness.  I wasn't personally affected by the attack on 9/11, but I can understand why some people would feel that way.



George W. Bush stated that this act of death was "A victory for people who seek peace around the world." Really? A victory for peace? 

It's still the death of another human being.  Is that really something to celebrate

Bin Laden supporters were seen cheering when the towers fell.  Does this make us any better than them? 

2 comments:

  1. I think there's no comparing celebrating a mass-murderer's death vs. celebrating the death of thousands of innocent civilians.

    And isn't there something in the scriptures about how if you commit murder, it is better that you should die and begin to pay for your sin? Don't remember where, but I think it's in there somewhere.

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  2. I think I feel like Mark Twain when he said, "I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure."

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