The Beauty of Belief

Now, I wrote on this before, so please forgive me for being repetitive in my discussion on ethics.  I do, however, feel a need in light of recent events to reiterate my thoughts on this certain failing of ethical humanity.

First off, I shall start with this caveat:  I do understand and have a full grasp on why Osama bin Laden was wanted.  The bombings of the embassies, being the modern face of terrorism for the world, and being the mastermind of the September 11 Terrorist attacks.  I understand this.

And, for that matter, I am not against the pursuit of justice.  What I am against, what bothers me so greatly, is the reaction of the people of the United States of America.

Today, as I turned on the news (I wrote this as I listened to the announcement) and listened, expecting to hear this, I was absolutely mortified by the individuals outside of the White House (which CNN made the point of showing every 2 minutes).  They were cheering in celebration of the death of Osama bin Laden.

I do not understand how it is that we should take joy in the death of any individual, no matter how foul, and find the pleasure in the ending of the life of a fellow human being.

Yes, what he did was horrible, and by no means do I condone his actions.

However, I do not think that I am amiss that I should expect a higher level of behavior from the so self-affirmed greatest country on Earth.  Here we are, on what may well be the greatest moment of justice in the last ten years, and we are acting like the lowest of blood thirsty animals.

We have these sorts of protests and celebrations in all parts of the world, and we are particularly familiar with seeing them in the countries which we often are occupying.  More often than not, these occur against Americans and America.

There is cause to be jubilant today; justice has been done.  Celebrate for justice, celebrate for a world wide criminal no longer being able to threaten the innocent.

Do NOT be jubilant, though, for the death of your fellow human being.  You are better than this, America.

You are better than celebrating in the bloodshed of another.

At least, this is what I would like to hope.