NPR: Is It Wrong To Celebrate Bin Laden's Death?

[upstatecajun]

Impromptu celebrations erupted near the White House in Washington and ground zero in New York when news of Osama bin Laden's death was reported and tweeted.

Laura Cunningham, a 22-year-old Manhattan reveler — gripping a Budweiser in her hand and sitting atop the shoulders of a friend — was part of the crowd at ground zero in the wee hours Monday. As people around her chanted "U-S-A," Cunningham was struck by the emotional response. She told New York Observer: "It's weird to celebrate someone's death. It's not exactly what we're here to celebrate, but it's wonderful that people are happy."

Those mixed feelings get at the heart of the moral ambivalence of the moment: Of course there is relief that an evil mastermind cannot commit acts of terror in the future. But is it ever a good idea — from a spiritual or philosophical standpoint — to celebrate with beer and good cheer over the death of anyone, even a widely acknowledged monster?

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/02/135927693/is-it-wrong-to-celebrate-bin-ladens-death

[FarLeftFist]

1. Who's celebrating his death?!

I thought everyone was celebrating a more likely Obama 2012 victory.

[originalpckelly]

2. You do realize that an attack anywhere in the world...

wherein the attackers claim it is revenge for the death of OBL will pretty much eliminate any electoral advantages, but especially if many Americans die. It's not at all wise to assume that, and it is pretty reasonable to think retaliation will happen before November 2012.

[FarLeftFist]

4. But THEY do it when they down one of our pilots...

And drag their body through the streets. Aren't we all created equal? After all, we are just an animal species reacting on instincts. We can't hate our human nature. But yes, I do realize your point too. I was being slightly comedic.

[FarLeftFist]

3. Actually, this is who we are, it's our natural instinctual behavior.

I'm sure we would have celebrated just as much if he was captured alive in U.S. custody as well.

[markpkessinger]

5. A lesson learned at my father's knee . . .

I remember once when I was a kid of maybe 11 or 12, I was out walking with my Dad, when some drunk guy came up to my Dad looking for trouble. I don't even remember the details of what the guy was after. Dad gave the guy several warnings to back off, but the guy got more and more aggressive, eventually grabbing the collar of Dad's shirt and drawing back his fist. At that point, Dad hauled off and, with a single punch, knocked him out cold. Now, I had never seen that side of my father, and as a 12 year old, it seemed like pretty hot stuff to me. So, when we got home, I was excitedly relaying the story to my siblings, when Dad happened to overhear me. His response was not what I expected. He said something to the effect of, "Look, I really wish you hadn't witnessed that at all, but since you did, let me be very clear about something: you should ALWAYS try to avoid fighting whenever possible, but sometimes, such as today, you find yourself in a situation where you don't have much of a choice. In that case, you do what you have to do. But it isn't something you should take pride in, and under no circumstance should it EVER become an occasion to gloat!"

Dad, a WWII vet, taught me a very powerful lesson that day -- a lesson as applicable to situations we, as a nation, find ourselves in as it is to interpersonal conflicts. I wish more people would learn that lesson.

[roamer65]

6. Delete.

[Phoenix63]

8. Your dad sounds like a wise man.

[ChazII]

9. Echoing another post. Your father

was a wise man.

[roamer65]

7. Yes. It is wrong.

It is time for solemn reflection in respect for all of his victims.