Ok, so Osama Bin Laden is “dead”, so they say. He probably is, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy and that he didn’t get killed. He’s dead. Whatever. But Americans are having a huge visceral, cathartic experience from this, and I don’t really get it. Wouldn’t it have been more useful for the American people if he was captured alive? Wouldn’t it have been more useful in terms of fighting the extremist organization he ran, if he were being questioned? I guess he never would have said a word, that’s probably true, but in that case, wouldn’t it have been more satisfying to the families of those killed on 9/11 if Bin Laden were forced to live in a small cell with nothing to do for the rest of his life. He was used to living in the lap of luxury for God’s sake, he was used to having people listen to him and do what he said. Wouldn’t it have been utter torture to basically bore him to death?
The German commentary on the subject is about the international criminal court and the law of nations. As an American living in a European country, I can understand the point of view. Even the war criminals of WWII were taken to court in the Nuremberg trials. After all, Osama Bin Laden was a person. He was a dickhead, but he was still a person.
I’m not clapping and cheering about Osama Bin Laden’s death, but I’m also not worrying about the US ignoring due diligence and the internationally recognized criminal justice system. I’m wondering why after ten years of chasing the bastard, his death is oh so anti-climatic. Shot, body thrown overboard and voila. Done. No big deal.
What did we learn about the extremists from that? Nothing. What did we learn about our own impending doom? That retaliation is sure to come. What do we actually know about the whole “Death to America” campaign (and it’s subsidiary “Death to Capitalism” and “Death to Western Culture” campaigns)? It’s raging on. Personally, I’m just disappointed. It feels just flat out unsatisfying to me. Someone will take his place. I’ll still be molested at the airport. Peace will not ensue. Nope, he’s just dead.
So, they’re saying that it’s ok to rejoice because it’s the affirmation of our own ideals (ie Western ideals). They’re saying that Americans are rejoicing the threat of Bin Laden and the symbol of what he was for. That the death of Bin Laden is the weakening of his ideology, the “let’s-blow-shit-up-and-kill-innocent-people” ideology. But this fucking douchy ideology isn’t dead! A man is dead, an ideology lives on in those who believe in it, and I’m pretty sure there are plenty of crazies out there believing in it.
I guess I’m just having a hard time giving a fuck. I don’t believe that Bin Laden’s death is the death of anything other than Bin Laden himself. And I didn’t know him personally, so wtf? I guess I’ll just go back to not worrying about it as I have for the past ten years. It’s not my job.
My job is just to ruminate and think, vocalize and wonder if anyone cares.
Related articles
- Clinton Says Battle Against al-Qaida Continues After bin Laden’s Death – Voice of America (news.google.com)
- Paybackistan! Jon Stewart On Osama Bin Laden’s Death: America’s Back Baby! (mediaite.com)
- Osama bin Laden’s death: A most justified jubilation (cbsnews.com)
