Before we continue our back-slapping, flag waving and dancing in the streets over the killing of Bin Laden, we must take a deep breath and look at the long-range picture. What we do now will have implications for our future.
Recall the anger we felt when we saw the masterminds of the 9/11 attacks laughing about the success of their plan. This short footage was shown over and over to remind us who was responsible for the murders of thousands. We vowed to be vigilant in our pursuit of those responsible. And that footage gave us proof of who we were after. The people who celebrated, along with Muslim extremists in the streets of Arab countries who burned our flag and praised the terrorist acts, gave us pause to question the perception of our nation and our countrymen in foreign lands. We wondered why they hate us so.
Perception is key to our future in the war on terror. Will this be perceived as the justice it is? Or will it be seen as just another volley in "an eye for an eye"?
I was a bit dismayed at the over-jubilance of some of the network media who reported the killing of Bin Laden. Some of them could barely contain themselves over the joy of this man's death. When one of the major networks showed a retrospective of Bin Laden's life, I thought the only thing missing was the sad music and tributes from Bin Laden's family and friends. I don't know why I should expect any caution from the media these days, they always report first then verify and justify at some later date. As revelers gathered outside of the White House to chant "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" and "Na na, hey hey, goodbye." I could only think of that post 9/11 footage of the masterminds. How will this be perceived in the Arab world? Only time will tell.
While we are relieved that the most hated enemy of the United States is dead, we must remember that he has followers. And that he has recruited members by portraying us as western oppressors of Islamic culture. Celebrating Bin Laden's killing will only add to his followers creation of his martyrdom. The legend of Bin Laden will grow if we elevate his death to that of the end of a fighting warrior. The reality that he was born to privilege and died living in the same manner will be washed over by our need to claim this as a great victory. The weakened terrorist, who saw his deputies caught and his followers dwindle, MUST NOT now be given a greater status by receiving weeks of media coverage and self congratulations by U.S. leaders. We stepped on a dying cockroach, scraped him off our shoe and tossed him in the toilet. Now back to finding his followers.
News has filtered out this morning that Bin Laden was located by using information collected from inmates at the Guantanamo prison. THIS is why we must never close GITMO; RESULTS! Let the tribunals begin.
