Serious Stuff

Should we be celebrating? Americans and free thinking freedom lovers the world over 'celebrated' the death of terrorist and Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden this week. When news of his death reached cities like New York and Washington, its citizens took to the street in jubilant celebration. Don't believe me? Have a look at one video from the streets...



Already, numerous conspiracy theorists clogged YouTube with videos about Osama's true whereabouts, and pro-American affiliations! Some sources even claim he was a pawn in the 9/11 scheme to galvanize support behind then U.S. President George W. Bush. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden's death, I am concerned for two reasons.

1. With Osama out of the way, his 'martyrdom' for 'the cause' will inspire future generations to stand against the West. All the unanswered questions behind 9/11, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Al-Qaeda will become part of the new religion believing the spirit of Osama isn't really dead, but living in the guns and steel his followers who take up his mission. Scary stuff, I know.
2. I remember watching old films of the home cities of the Allied forces taking to the street upon Victory in Europe, and then Victory in Japan. They celebrated not just the end of the world, but the preservation of democracy throughout the free world. Now, in 2011, videos of Americans celebrating the death of a figurehead of an international anarchist movement flood YouTube and various news media. The celebration is not because anything was protected or maintained, but because someone died. How sad we find joy as the blood of Osama and the unanswered questions run through our hands. That would be similar to the British people celebrating the death of Adolf Hitler at the hands of his generals in 1944, all the while Rommel would direct the Nazi German war machine! The war isn't over, and things could possibly get worse.

Figuratively speaking, the previous decade began on September 11, 2001, and ended May 1, 2011 when the news of Osama bin Laden's death was first reported. As we enter the next decade, what will we see from the West, and what will we see from the terrorists. What Osama did in death what he could never do in life: He scared me out of my mind.