Complex Thoughts About Osama bin Laden's Death

I would just like to write a bit about Osama bin Laden's death; specifically, I want to talk about my and my fellow Americans' reactions to it.

Like hundreds of millions of Americans, I was shocked and skeptical when I first heard the news that OBL was killed.  It had been almost 10 long years since 9/11, and, I think, as a nation we despaired of ever bringing him to justice for the crimes he committed against our country.

After I got over my initial skepticism, I felt a variety of conflicting emotions.  First, I was glad he was dead; I believed that OBL getting shot in the head was a just punishment for the atrocities he ordered against the world's citizens.  Then, I realized that my belief in OBL's assassination was inconsistent with some of my principles as a future doctor (namely that lives are sacred and that I do not have the authority to judge others).

A few seconds later, however, I remembered that his punishment was commensurate with his crimes, and achieving a more just world is also a belief doctors have.  So, I at least do not really have that feeling of cognitive dissonance anymore.    

There was one thing I did not like about the death of OBL, though: I did not really appreciate my fellow Americans (and some reporters) practically partying in the street.  It reminded me too much of the partying in the streets that many Middle Easterners did after 9/11.  Did their joy about the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans not make you sick with anger?  I'm sure it did.  And I would not doubt that there are thousands of people around the world today feeling that same displeasure.

The better reaction to OBL's death, in my opinion, was the considerably less-raucous candlelight vigil held in NYC.

(Note: I am not saying that Americans should not be glad justice has been served and OBL is dead.  What I am saying is that perhaps it would have been better to be a little more restrained for national security purposes.  That's it).

I guess I am just genuinely afraid that my countrymen's public displays of joy and exuberance after OBL's death may incite more violence against our country.  I am sure there are people in the world who are pissed about last night's party in front of the White House just like I was furious when I saw people celebrating in the streets in the Middle East after the towers fell.

The only difference is that the people who are going to be pissed about Americans' exuberance over OBL's demise are people who supported him in the first place; and those people are probably prone to violent anti-American tendencies.

I really hope that I am wrong, but I would not be surprised if we created some new terrorists today.  Let's just hope the CIA, the SEALs, the rest of our defense network, and our rulers are prepared and able to keep us safe.  No one knows what is coming for us next, but I am sure it will be bad.  And that scares me to no end.

Props to Obama, the Navy SEALS, and the CIA for Getting UBL and New Intel

I will admit that I have been a huge skeptic and critic of President Obama thus far.  I thought he was in over his head and he was incapable of making a tough decision.  However, I have to give the man props for ordering the mission that killed Usama bin Laden (UBL).  That took some huge balls for a few reasons.

First, he did not know for certain if UBL was in that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.  If bin Laden wasn't there but a bunch of Al-Qaeda operatives were, some 40 Navy SEALS would have been in severe danger.  And Obama would've had to live with those consequences personally and politically.

Additionally, this mission took an incredible amount of secrecy.  Obama could not tell the Pakistani authorities before the strike due to the fact that the Pakistani intelligence agency (ISI) may very well have some pro-Al Qaeda sympathizers who would have alerted bin Laden.  It remains to be seen how this will affect relations with Pakistan.

President Obama also deserves credit for reiterating the fact that Americans are not at war with Islam.  Perhaps Muslims around the world will believe him more than they believe President Bush.

Obviously, SEAL Team 6 (I believe they are the SEALS specially trained for counter-terrorism missions) deserves massive credit for getting this done.  It took 7 months of preparing for this strike (in terms of getting the intel and getting the team ready to strike); obviously their hard work paid off.  They also deserve credit for getting very valuable intel from the compound they killed UBL in.

Finally, I have to acknowledge the great job the CIA did in terms of getting the intelligence on bin Laden and keeping it quiet.

All in all, this operation was well-planned and well-executed. Mad props to everyone.

Breaking News: Osama bin Laden is Dead!

CNN confirms on its website:
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/01/obama-to-make-statment-tonight-subject-unknown/?hpt=C1