I hope you are comforted by this knowledge. Thanks for helping me put GODly perspective to this Memorial Day commemoration of the sacrifices that earn our freedom. “Free” really means “PrePaid”.
From Richard Earl
The disappointment I felt as I read your column on the murder of bin Laden
is both real and profound.
First, the notion that one or a thousand “terrorists” present any significant
threat to your country’s ability “to survive as a nation based on individual freedoms,
including the freedom of choice of our personal religious beliefs” borders on
hysteria and paranoia. For sure, every once in a blue moon the tragedy of a “Twin Towers”
event may visit upon you, but it certainly is not the ACTION that threatens your
freedoms – it’s your REACTION that does and continues to do the damage.
You said it yourself: “But in many instances, our existence depends upon the actions
we take based on these conflicting messages.” So far your “actions” have included
the withdrawal of many of your sacred freedoms. You can’t blame bin Laden for the
reaction of the zealots in that bottomless financial pit you call your “Home Security.”
Your own Benjamin Franklin warned you that “Any society that would give up a little
liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Sometimes we
let primal fears override the wise experiences and obvious history of others.
And if you think that somehow a “bin Laden” puts the religions of America in
jeopardy, I think you are profoundly mistaken. From what I’ve seen and heard
from the frothing millions of fundamentalists, one more sect joining the
lunatic party isn’t going to make much difference even if that sect is hell-bent
on destroying the others.
I continue to hold hope that my American friends will come to their senses to
realize that the actions you suggest are pretty much 180 degrees from what will
work! “It is time to shut off our aid to them (the Pakistanis) as a message to others
that we are not going to tolerate those who are bent on our destruction or their supporters.
It is time to bring our troops home and defend our own borders from those who would slip
into our country and carry on the work of those determined to destroy our way of life.”
Pure hysterics.
You’ve been around long enough to KNOW that overpowering and forcing others to do
anything will NEVER gain you either their cooperation or freedom from their threats.
America is the elephant that is terrified of the mouse. The bin Laden-types are NOT
your enemy. Your attitude is. But… for now, you’ve got enough guns to line all the
rest of us up against the wall with our hands in the air. It’s very disappointing that
you don’t realize/understand that when you take that action, EVERYONE loses their
freedom.
From Margaret
That was my response to Bin Laden’s death. It was part of an overall war. Peace is the goal. You cannot have peace when someone is attacking you. If someone broke into your house, you would defend yourself. I think that is the ethical grounds for killing him.
I can not rejoice in his death. I think when you make someone into an object instead of a person, it dehumanizes you. There is no joy in ending a precious life. He was a person who had hopes and dreams and failures just like us.
Thank you for articulating this point of view.
From Nancy
Normally I do not agree with your articles. I say this in the beginning.
You do not know me, of course, and what I think would have no impact on your perspective nor opinions. Regardless, I chose to respond to this particular article.
I am a Forensic Examiner, by profession, and teach Criminology and Gangland Terrorism courses in the Criminal Justice Department of a local college as a courtesy. I chose to teach young people coming into the profession now as my way of “passing the mantle”, so to speak. We seniors need to share experiences and wisdom we have accumulated, I think…. as you do with the articles in “Suddenly Senior”. Thus, my reason for writing. Terrorism is terrorism. It matters little what color brush we use to decorate it. The Mideast does not have the corner on the concept.
America has, in the past, and in the case of bin Laden, recently engaged in terroristic acts. All countries of the world are guilty of the behavior, regardless of the rationale for the activity. It is not a moral issue, it is a political one and probably began when some caveman picked up a club and threatened his neighbor. Humans tend to be a violent breed by nature. Just the way it is. Retaliation breeds contempt and each response results in loss of life and property. Hate for a culture, race, religious concept, etc. becomes generalized and a “Hatfield-McCoy” mentality ensues, neutralizing the individual identity of both sides. A no-brainer.
The burial at sea prevented Bin Laden’s gravesite from becoming a martyred and consecrated location; however, this will not change the animosity of the Mideastern followers. Another “Bin Laden” type will only step up and walk in the shoes with additional bitterness and resolve. The tiger has not been caged. The assassination has only stuck a thorn in its foot, not a knife in its heart. Scary situation. Desperate people take desperate measures… and thus the cycle continues.
