Well, now

[veronica_rich]

Working with Pakistan to get bin Laden - now THAT'S cooperation. Good job, guys!

(I do wonder who in his organization is going to step up to take his place, though. Taking out the head may weaken a group but it doesn't necessarily mean its end. Still, this is an important psychological piece of news for a lot of Americans, at the least.)

ETA: I do confess I'm rather uneasy celebrating anyone's death. It may be a lingering superstition from my mother, who always pointed out anytime anyone she knew wished death or illness on someone, it usually seemed it struck someone that person loved instead. Or maybe it's just my typical reaction to the vast majority of extremist reaction; I'm not sure.

Comments

[finding-neo.livejournal.com]

We might rejoice, but this isn't over. He's now a martyr to the anti-American movement. Wonderful.

I am extremely disgusted by the celebratory nature of American's reactions. People are shooting off fireworks in some places.

I am sure there was rejoicing in the streets in the Middle East somewhere when the World Trade Center buildings came down.

An eye for an eye? We're a Christian nation, supposedly.....

Even if he had been captured, his sentence would have been death. I suppose that's the only thing the "other side" understands would happen to him as their view of life is different than ours.

I'm certainly not upset that he's dead, just that Americans think the world revolves around us.

[bellumed.livejournal.com]

It's not superstition for me, I just don't understand the celebratory reaction. I'm glad we finally took him out, but I'm not dancing in the streets with my flag.

[nobleplatypus]

I, too, am uncomfortable with the celebratory reactions I've seen--not because I'm superstitious, but because there's just no way to celebrate someone's death without looking like an asshole. Don't get me wrong, I'm rather relieved that he's gone... but having an Ewok-style party over it seems distasteful.

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

Thank you for voicing the same icky feelings I had last night! I was really disturbed by all the dancing in the streets and singing. It just seems to me very horrible to be celebrating anyone's demise, no matter how terrible that person might have been. But, that said, I can't be sorry he's gone. Definitely problematic.

[zagzagael.livejournal.com]

*nods* Total agreement. It is a huge relief that this particular search is finally over and as far as justice being done, it does feel as though that chapter is closed. But yes, celebrating a death no matter how vicious the deceased...feels bad.

[captsparrow4evr.livejournal.com]

To use a probably non-pc image: If you find a big pile of snakes and cut the head off the biggest one, all the rest run and hide. You don't get rid of the snakes but now they're hiding all over the area and the hunt is ten times worse. I feel no celebration that Bin Laden is dead. Heck, I don't even feel relief. I am concerned that there will be retaliation for this action and, indeed, as in the metaphor I presented, we may yet "die of a thousand little cuts" rather than one coordinated attack.

I'm sure it will make a lot of people feel better but celebrating even the death of evil is inappropriate, imho.

[biggelois.livejournal.com]

My mum said the exact same thing as your mum. Don't wish bad things on others, they will come back and bite you.All over, it's bad form to celebrate a death.

This can go two ways; either the movement will be subdued and lose power now that he's dead. Or they'll gain more will to fight and revenge the death of their leader. I'm a bit worried to be honest.