FOR JUSTICE AND PROTECTION: THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN [MAY 2, 2011]

            On this date, May 2, 2011, the Al Qaeda Leader, Osama Bin Laden was killed by the U.S Navy SEALS, the Seal Team Six in Abbottabad, Pakistan. I had blogged about previous post of the military assassination, they are here:

1. http://soldierexecutionerprolifer2008.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/heckler-koch-hk416-weapon-of-fortnight.html

2. http://soldierexecutionerprolifer2008.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-11th-anniversary-of-september-11.html

3. http://soldierexecutionerprolifer2008.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/article-on-death-penalty-of-week-sunday_17.html

        To remember this event, I would like to respond to Dr. Pamela Gerloff’s article: The Psychology of Revenge: Why We Should Stop Celebrating Osama Bin Laden's Death.

"Those of you who are celebrating--could you just pause for a moment and consider: What message are you sending the world?"

RESPONSE: We are sending a message that an evil man who caused the death of thousands of Americans had been terminated from the face of this earth. There is justice for the 9/11 Attack victims and protection as he will not be around to command another terrorist attack again. 

Americans celebrating after the death of Osama bin Laden in front of The White House.

But celebration in the streets and on the airwaves is neither appropriate nor advisable--really--no matter what your feelings of elation. Here's why.

"Celebrating" the killing of any member of our species--for example, by chanting USA! USA! and singing The Star Spangled Banner outside the White House or jubilantly demonstrating in the streets--is a violation of human dignity. Regardless of the perceived degree of "good" or "evil" in any of us, we are all, each of us, human. To celebrate the killing of a life, any life, is a failure to honor life's inherent sanctity.

Plenty of people will argue that Osama Bin Laden did not respect the sanctity of others' lives. To that I would ask, "What relevance does that have to our own actions?" One aspect of being human is our ability to choose our own behavior; more specifically, our capacity to return good for evil, love for hate, dignity for indignity. While Osama Bin Laden was widely considered to be the personification of evil, he was nonetheless a human being.

RESPONSE: We disagree here because we are happy that evil has been put down, we need to show the world that we are joyful. If you look at how the Indian people celebrate the execution of Ajmal the Dead Terrorist, they have the right to feel that way, as Kasab had caused more than 100 innocent lives.

We do not celebrate the killing of the innocent unborn by abortion or any innocent life (like murdered victims) but to celebrate a victory against the enemy or a guilty criminal is appropriate, as we show that we mean business against who show no respect for innocent lives. 

Americans celebrating after the death of Osama bin Laden in front of the White House.

A more peaceable response to his killing would be to mourn the many tragedies that led up to his violent death and the thousands of violent deaths that occurred in the attempt to eliminate him from the face of the Earth; and to feel compassion for anyone who, because of their role in the military or government, American or otherwise, has had to play a role in killing another. This kind of compassion can be cultivated, as practitioners of many different spiritual traditions and humanistic philosophies will attest.

RESPONSE: Of course, we do mourn those who died in military action who worked hard to eliminate this devil. But bear in mind, evil must be destroyed, we cannot let terrorists live so they can cause more deaths. Please read about The Eight Executed Terrorists. 

Memorial at Ground Zero on 5-2-2011, when the death of Osama bin Laden was announced.

We are not a peaceful species. Nor are we a peaceful nation. The public celebrations of this killing throughout the country draw attention to these facts.

The death of Osama Bin Laden gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves: What kind of nation and what kind of species do we want to be? Do we want to become a species that honors life? Do we want to become a species that embodies peace? If that is what we want, then why not start now to examine our own hearts and actions, and begin to consciously evolve in that direction? We could start by not celebrating the killing of another.

RESPONSE: We do want to be a species that honor life that is why we must stop the killing of the innocent unborn but protect our country from foreign invaders and violent criminals (Terrorists for this matter). When World War II ended, many people around the world took to the streets to celebrate.

Celebrating with the Gadsden flag, early morning, May 2, 2011, hours after President Obama announced Osama bin Laden's death.

It is hard not to think that some of the impulse to celebrate "justice being done" may also contain a certain pleasure in revenge--not just "closure" but "getting even." The world is not safer with Osama Bin Laden's violent demise (threat levels are going up, not down); evil has not been finally removed from the Earth; the War on Terror goes on--so any celebration must be tempered with the sobering fact that much work still needs to be done to establish peace. The truth is that "celebrating justice" when one person is killed--as happens regularly in the gang wars of American cities--only incites further desire for revenge, which, from "the other side's" viewpoint, is usually called "justice."

RESPONSE: We agree that Osama Bin Laden is not the last terrorist on earth, there may be another Al Qaeda Leader in the future. Ayman al-Zawahiri is the new leader. Many people are rejoicing that at least Osama Bin Laden cannot commit any more attacks in the future. Please see this blog post, ‘SHOOT STRAIGHT! DON’T MISS! – TIME TO GUN AMROZI DOWN!’. If assuming that Osama Bin Laden was captured alive, he might go free to order more killings again. Not all killing is revenge.

Celebratory crowd at Ground Zero following the announcement.

Consider this: If a leader in our country were killed in the manner in which Osama Bin Laden was killed, as "justice" for his acts of aggression in the War on Terror--and supporters of that act were shown proudly chanting their country's name, singing their national anthem, and demonstrating in the streets--Americans would likely feel more sickened than joyful, wouldn't you think? The impulse to celebrate a death depends on what side you're on.

RESPONSE: Please do not equate the leader of the U.S.A with terrorist. Terrorist like Osama Bin Laden deserved to be killed in that manner. 

Flagwaving in Times Square in New York City on May 2, 2011.

The bottom line is that we cannot even begin to have peace until we stop the cycle of jubilation over acts of violence.

So isn't it time to ask: Who will stop the cycle? If not us, who? If not you and I, who will it be?

RESPONSE: Science Fiction Robert A. Heinlein once said, “The idea that "violence doesn't solve anything" is a historically untrue and immoral doctrine. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. People that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedoms."

Celebrations in Times Square for the death of Osama bin Laden. New York, May 2, 2011.

             Pamela Gerloff should be writing an article by telling those Anti-Death Penalty activists to stop holding candlelight vigils to mourn those murderers when they are getting executed. It is hurting and insulting to the victims’ families as it sends a message that murderers are victims and lovable people, when they are violent and dangerous individuals. Holding vigils and protesting against the death penalty are sending messages to evildoers on death row that they want evil to triumph on the land. 

            We celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden to honor the victims of the 9/11 Attacks.