How does the death of Osama Bin Laden make you feel - What a question
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Osama Bin Laden was unceremoniously killed on May 1 2011. Since that day The media has been full of questions and articles about Bin Laden and his death. It seems that having wanted Bin Laden dead for such a long time many such people cannot believe the news.
Conspiracy theories abound and will probably do so for many years to come. How do I feel about Bin Laden's death? Well I am not really sure. Having seen the question though I thought I would try to understand and acknowledge my feelings on the matter, so here goes.
9/11 attacks in New York
Bin Laden in his hideout in Pakistan
Still we can laugh at the man
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On that fateful day, 9/11, my husband was ill and we were home wiaiting a doctor's appointement. As the UK 24 hours news service flashed the images of the first strike we were shocked to the core.
Was it an accident? If it was why was the plane so low? If it was a terrorist attck it would not have passengers on board, right?
As we sat transfixed the day's events began to play out in real time. Initially the media showed people choosing to jump to their death rather than take thier chances in the fire. Can you blame them? It must have took great courage but to stay was to be certain death for so many.
The second plane hit leaving no doubt that it was an act of terrorism.
News began pouring of the other would be attacks and it seemed the world was on the brink of war.
People wherever you went, even in the UK, talked of little else for days. Speaking with a more informed family member I learned the name Osama Bin Laden and that he was no stranger to terrorism. These days words like the Taliban and Al Qaeda trip of the tongue easily, but then they were unfamiliar to many people, including myself.
No-one could watch the footage of that day and not be moved. In the West it brought sorrow and pain. In some parts of the East it brought jubilation, causing more hate.
Working in a hospital I encounter people from all countries on a daily basis. One thing that struck me at the time is how quickly people's perceptions can change. One trainee doctor from abroad, who wore a turban, began to be verbally abused. Not directly of course but by the coward's way of being underhand and whispering. Subtle changes.
This guy had worked with us for quite some time, was caring, good at his job, polite, friendly and fun so what had changed? He had not.
Perhaps all of this is what helped form my eventual feelings when I heard of the death of Osama Bin Laden.
Having never stood trial for the crimes he is supposed to have committed, he went to his death an innocent man. NO, I hear you say, he was guilty. However, he was never proved guilty of anything, so what else could he be?
He may have claimed responsibilty for some acts of terrorism, but that could just have been the rantings of a madman. Having never stood trial there will always be rumours and a feeling of unfinished business.
I had thought that I and others may sleep easier in our beds once Bin Laden had departed this planet, but we probably will not.
Justice was not been served but rather a lynch mob did what it felt it needed to do. You can argue the toss until you are blue in the face but to all intents and purposes that is what it was.
Terror and terroists have no place on earth but we must fight them, not murder them and break international laws to meet our ends. If we do so we are not much better than them, are we?
I know this will be emotive but remember I am answering a question and this is my personal answer.
So how did I feel.
Glad in one way but not happy nor jubilant. Wary in another way, of what might follow. Hopeful in that at last our troops may be able to return home, from places such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Happy for the relatives of those who have died in these terrorist attacks, as they may now have some closure. Sorry that the US felt the need to exclude the Pakistan authorities and illegally enter another country.
The more I think about it perhaps the killing of Bin laden prompted a multitude of feelings not least, anxiety. Will the Taliban reciprocate? Will we see an increase in terrorist attacks? Who will suffer the most? Is global conflict coming?
On 13th May 2011 two suicide bombers in Pakistan killed 80 people The death toll included, mainly, raw police recruits but also a handful of citizens. The Taliban were quick to call the media and claim responsibility for the attack. It was a reprisal for the death of Osama Bin Laden.
So where do we go from here? Heaven only knows."
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America also killed lots of innocent people in the world that's not i'm saying, the media saying. people believe what media say. it's may be true or false but every county has a Justice system.
Yes I agree that we too have changed the rules when it sutis but do you get my poit? I feel that is why some contries and people have followed suit. If you abuse the rules of engagement or whatever sooner or later it will back fire on you. Thanks for the vidit anyway as it alwyas good to hear different opinions, as that is all any of this after all
All Empires change the rules when it suits them, the British Empire had a saying... "We always play by the rules, until we start losing, then we change the rules" it is a sign of a declining Empire, and the US Empire is due to collapse very soon. Although it has been a very large Empire, it will have been also a very short Empire.
America will be much better of after their collapse (though not during) when the US have withdrawn to your borders again and turn to trade rather than occupation by force for your future needs.
Pedrosa no problem. It is just that the US seem to change the rules when it suits them.
i agree that 100% ethel and i think that's what happened to US.My previous comment has meaning only if osama bin laden is terrorist,if he isn't not then i am completely against it.
Well Pedrosa you are entitled to your opinion and I know what you mean. It is just that I feel if we change the rules when it suits us to, ultimately it will back fire on us
there is lot of talk about the way he has been killed etc,but what i care the most is that one terrorist who killed thousands of people got what he deserved,
he didn't deserve normal death
I think it is better that he is dead. Clearly more attacks were already planned and that will continue. Someone else will head up Al Quada and terrorism will live on as they are sworn to destroy Israel and the US.
Had he been captured and awaited trial he would have died an old man. The men and women whose only crime was to go to work on Sept. 11th were denied growing old with their loved ones. He's dead and it's better that way.
Hi ethel,
He stood trial or not, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he was the leader of one of the most terror making gang in world which is enough to kill him. Al quida has not only killed lots of people around the world but also helped and trained other terrorist groups like IM for India or groups in Isreal. So he is better dead even if he died innocent without trial.
I wish this wholeepisode would be closed down. Every mentioning and article will add to encourage the terrorists thinking we are nothing but overjoyed about which increases the hatred. It is done and finished. The press keeps on and on.
I guess it will. Even in death he sort of wins then
It is quite amazing when you consider the collection of outrage that Osama Bin Laden's death has ignited. However ugly and enraged the reactions, the power of his existence is undeniable and although his death is cause for celebration, I think many feel cheated because he was never held accountable. I imagine his life and death will be the subject of debate for eternity...
Thanks for dropping by folks you have certainly left some interesting comments for me to think on
Hi ethel, I think by just killing one bad guy it has not made any difference, if anything it will fuel and enraged the terrorists movement .
Awesome hub !!!
First off it's still debatable whether Bin Laden was killed or 'retired' by the CIA, some folk say he died ten years ago from cancer, others that he will be given a new ID and retired somewhere he wants to live out his remaining years.
One thing is for sure, Bin Laden will have hidden much 'dirty laundry' revelations during his long yeas as a CIA operative, which if released to the world would make Wikileaks look like a kiss and tell article, so if he is dead, expect those 'secrets' to emerge in the future, and if they don't accept that he may just be alive until he meets a natural death some time.
It would be foolish to presume that what we see is in any way the reality of what has or will be happening.
How do I feel about his 'death' - well IF he was killed, it was because the 'black ops' section of the Firm were sure they had contained any leakage that may happen, and he would have received his due rewards for becoming a spook in the first place. Irrespective of whether 9/11 was him or the Israelis or a home job, Bin Laden caused many folk to die, and when you live by the sword, you die by it also.
I was born in Malaysia, a muslim country but I am a Chinese or Malaysian Chinese I should say. A lot of people thought that I am a muslim since I was born in Malaysia but most might know that Malaysia is actually a multi-culture country.
Needless to say, I have muslim friends. When the Osama organised those terror stuffs, some of my muslim friends started to ask me what do I think of them. They were quite glad that I have not put them into the same category of Osama and his company's beliefs. And when Osama was killed, they were quite relief too.
I suppose anyone in the world who has clear conscience regardless of religions and beliefs will really feel for the people who cherished in the terror acts; not just 9/11 but also various bombing activities in other countries too.
You're right, Ethel. We have to be above all this hate with love in order to win. Cheers!
It has to be better than all this hate ancillotti
Hello, Ethel! I really enjoyed your Hub! It's nice to see someone who stops to reflect on a situation like the following will not only common sense.
Before the death of Bin Laden, I can say that I feel sadness. Not because he did not know, do not know what he was capable, but sad to see how far the world has come. Murder someone without trial seems scary to me. It's like each one of us would be subject to this. And now? Is that revenge is not to come?
Let us ask God to have mercy and put more love in people's hearts, I believe this is the only way to save us.
Karl there was far too much chatter, and now it should be put to bed. Ies I agree with that. I was not particularly in favour of a trial but feel that in their actions the US have opened a real can of worms. Thanks for stopping by. It is always good to see how an ex military person views such things. For me in the UK his killing was a mixed blessing I guess
Personally I also wanted Bin Laden dead. Too much was said after the raid happened. I fully understand why the US President was not interested in bringing Obama back to the U.S. or Gitmo for trial. One only needs to look at the divisive politics when an attempt was made to suggest that KLM be tried in New York. Obama had to reverse his decision on GITMO and civilian trials. Just imagine what a political liability a captured Osama Bin Laden would have been.
One thing that concerns me here though, that a President that was so critical of the Bush policies and kept saying that the United States is nation of laws would resort to something that can basically be termed an assassination.
So in summary I feel that Bin Laden got what he deserved, perhaps there should have been a little less chatter over it.
We all seem to be in agreement that it has not solved the terrorist issue and may have caused more concerns
It has created a fresh battle of thought between the forces for and against Bin Laden.
Good Hub. I honestly feel like Bin Ladens death, especially how it was done, is only going to bring more destruction to the US as well as anyone who is affiliated with us. Honestly, I am more afraid now that this man is gone, than when we simply thought he was hiding in a cave somewhere. Voted up!
To me,like waynet says,it's a simple matter of physics,when there is an imbalance such as the U.S. as a global power there's a reaction to it,whether the U.S. is at fault or not.And I do think that the U.S. should tamp down its military presence.But if it weren't the U.S. it'd be whatever other country that was the dominant presence.;)
When we get rid rid of one mad man or most wanted, another one pops up. More inncoent people will suffer the more this goes on, it's like a tennis match, kill one lot, more get killed, no one really wins.
Good hub!
Zaid Usmaan Khan Level 1 Commenter 3 months ago
He who does good ends good. He who does bad, Ends up bad!
Undoubtedly Osama killed innocents, And in no way it is justifiable !!
Islam never teaches violence. Vilence a propaganda of Religious wars or 'Jehad' by some fanatics who for personal reasons, vested interests or collective cunning mentality arising from hatred which responsible for blackening the face of Islam !!!
The Holy Quran Sharif itself says-"Death of an innocent marks the death of entire humanity"!
Fellows like Osama who kill thousands in the name of religion deserves no right to call himself a Human neing or Muslim or citizen of a democratic country !!
Such people have no right to live in this planet!!