I just watched The Daily Show and The Colbert Show present their post Bin Laden segments. I want to rejoice. I do. Jon Stewart has obviously not slept from all the partying. Stephen Colbert is absolutely giddy. They’re making fun of Osama’s being shot in the eye. I laughed when Colbert posed the question, “Does Gaddafi have bullet proof glasses?” Campuses everywhere are partying. People are rejoicing. So why don’t I feel it?
Maybe I’m too cautious but I feel all this rejoicing is misplaced. I can’t get my mind off the images of our Head’s of State in the War Room. Hillary Clinton covering her mouth in horror, Joe Biden sternly watching, and President Obama with a strained look on his face that I’ve never seen. Whatever images they were watching did not end with all of them rising from their seats and cheering. Perhaps later, in hindsight, but not then. Not in real time. I find it disconcerting that we can celebrate savagery of any kind. And, frankly, if I felt this would assure no more fear of 9/11 style attacks, I might join in the revelry. But deep down I feel all we’ve really done is killed the Queen Bee but many other hives are being built. I don’t really feel safe still. After 9/11, I suspect some of us will never really feel safe again.
I’m not anti-American. I’m proud. Obama promised us greatness and has not let us down with this one. He kicked some butt that needed kicking. It’s not like I don’t understand the magnitude of what has happened. But I know how our political machine works. There is some swordplay and posturing at work here. Obama HAD to do put on a big show of power to get back his mojo. He had to mark his territory, as it were, to give himself a better shot at a second term. And I’m not complaining about that. I think he will need a second term to finish what he’s started. I’m all for it. But I just wish that the “might makes right” mentality of the American machine were replaced by “right makes right”.
But… eh. I’m glad they got the bastard and some of his friends too? (Why aren’t they talking about who else was there and who else got shot and/or captured for questioning?) It should slow down and/or end the reign of Al Qaeda. So, okay. I’ll try to enjoy the victory with the rest of you for now.
