Like it or Not, Osama Bin Laden Was a Victim

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I refuse to celebrate death. It doesn't matter how evil the person was or what horrible things they did when alive, a killed human life is a solemn tragedy. The fact a person needs to be killed—or has to be killed—and society sees fit to relish the death—is a disturbing reflection on mankind.

Am I glad Osama Bin Laden is dead? I'll tell you that I'm glad he was found and is now unable to  plot and carry-out his terrorist acts.  Bin Laden's death is a strong blow to Al Qaeda, but I take more comfort in knowing that (as reported by various media outlets) recent socialized democracies in places like Egypt and Tunisia have hurt Al Qaeda a lot more than the recent demise of their leader.

With the news of Bin Laden's death, I merely felt indifferent. Not happy, not sad, not surprised or ecstatic. I was, however, glad that many people directly affected by the events of 9/11 hopefully now have some sense of closure, and that a horrible chapter in their lives has ended.

In olden days, death sentences were somber events. Crowds would gather in silence and watch the execution with an aura of pity, shame, and disappointment—not because the person being executed did something horrible, but because a human life was about to be snuffed-out. That being said...

Yesterday U.S. Special Forces carried-out Bin Laden's destiny, and I half expected Osama's body to be put on parade and dragged through the streets—or hung from a pole, ala Benito Mussolini. I bet a lot of the young people in the above photograph would have loved that.  From what I've read and heard, our Navy Seals performed professionally and efficiently, and afterward our men showed dignity by burying the body (at sea) within twenty-four hours—per the Islam faith. I hope no embarrassing photos surface with troops posing with the body, like when Colombian drug czar Pablo Escobar was killed.

When it comes to religion, I've always believed that the Universal Law has a nice way of making everyone right. If you're Buddhist, you'll see Buddha when you die. If  Hindu, you'll be greeted by Shiva or Vishnu—or whoever. If you're Christian, you'll see God. Or Jesus. Or Mary. Or Saint Peter. And if you believe in nothing, you'll get nothing. Because of this theory, I'm forced to believe that Osama Bin Laden is now in some paradise garden, screwing a lot of virgins.

Although a fucked-up fact, Bin Laden believed until the very end that he was doing Allah's work. In the eyes of many extremists, Bin Laden died a martyr. As someone wrote on Facebook last night, these people will make Bin Laden a legendary—even mythical—man, not unlike the fictional character Keyser Soze, from the film The Usual Suspects. Bin Laden followed the martyrdom process to a tee. He didn't try to compromise his situation by bartering and lying—like Che Guevara did. He didn't kill himself in the end—like Hitler did. Bin Laden really did die a martyr, and by the definition of the word, a martyr is a victim—no matter how crazy their actions or beliefs.  

I can't help but wonder... what if Osama Bin Laden had died yesterday from his kidney malady instead of at the hands of our Special Forces—would we have seen all the celebrating in the streets of America? We'd probably be pissed-off that—although still dead—Bin Laden had manage to elude capture. We'd be pissed-off that we didn't get to exact revenge by killing him. His being dead wouldn't be good enough for us. We should have been his executioner, and reveled in the glory. 

Yesterday many Americans did exactly that—they reveled the death of the big fish.

I'm grateful for our troops, here and abroad. I thank them for keeping our homeland safe and secure. I thank the Navy Seals and other Special Forces for their talent and professionalism. I thank President Obama for keeping his word. I'd be honored to repay all of them—whatever way I can— for their outstanding service, loyalty, and perseverance.

But please don't ask me to celebrate, because this party that so many people are literally hell-bent on, got off to the wrong start ten years ago with 9/11.

FiN.

13 comments for “Like it or not, Osama Bin Laden was a Victim”

1. 

   Tyge

   May 23, 2011 at 11:41 pm (edit)

   I should have clarified the time period. By “olden days,” I was referring to the 1800 and early 1900′s, here in America. When outlaws were executed in the old west, the event wasn’t celebrated. Moving on, the hangings of Lincoln’s conspirators come to mind. Sacco and Vanzetti’s executions (1927) were actually protested, and mourned. Lynching has never been sanctioned by the government, because it’s a crime carried-out by nonjudicious murderers. And yes, lynchings were reveled by those who chose to be a part of such a crime, sad but true. It’s ironic how England and France did those things you wrote about, and now, in this day and age, America is the only civilized (non-third world country?) that still uses the death penalty. These days, England and France think we’re barbaric because we execute people.

   Thanks for the comment!
2. 

   Curious

   May 23, 2011 at 8:32 pm (edit)

   Even though I don’t think I was around for the “Golden Days” of public executions, I think I will have to take issue about death sentences being somber events. From what I’ve heard when the heads of traitors were placed on pikes at the entrance to London Bridge, or when the heads of the nobility were held up to the crowds after being guillotined in Paris, or when young men posed for a picture smiling with their wives and or girlfriends in front of black man who had just been lynched, burned or sexually mutilated were never places where people bowed their heads in reverence for the ordeal. Instead they were places where people would come to witness a spectacle and take part in as best they could.

   Some people will say that celebrating the death of Bin Laden is about justice and closure and maybe even revenge, but I would say that it’s really about showing who we are and how we really haven’t changed.
3. 

   Tyge

   May 6, 2011 at 12:11 am (edit)

   Thanks for the comment David, and I understand your point.

   I didn’t mean to portray Bin Laden as a victim of 9/11, but moreso by the definition of a martyr, or even in the more technical sense that he was indeed a victim of revenge (getting picky, I know). I think there are such things as bad victims, although oxymoron-ish. Bernie Madoff was a victim of his own stupidity and greed, and perhaps even of the U.S. Justice system.

   I’ll admit I used the term liberally, but when you have a fledgling website like mine, desperation often breeds strange activity.

   Thanks again and as always, I enjoy hearing from you. It’s flattering even.
4. 

   David Weir

   May 5, 2011 at 9:32 pm (edit)

   Although I appreciate what you wrote, I have to take issue with your use of the word “victim” for Osama bin-Laden, even if it was meant to be ironic. Those professing to be faithful to some God or another always seem to find their faith a convenient way to inflict pain on the the rest of us, in ways large and small, because it allows them to justify their own selfishness, betrayal, lies and cruelty and in extreme cases, even horrific violence, whenever it suits their purposes. That is who bin-Laden was in my eyes, just another religious hypocrite, like too many others I have encountered in my own life.
5. 

   Heather Barton

   May 3, 2011 at 6:58 pm (edit)

   I always try to leave ‘em laughing!

   If I have to claim a religion it would be Unitarian. Its kinda “Everyone’s Right Stop Fighting” style. Years ago when I realized I was angry at God I had to sort out my feelings and I boiled it all down to this:

   If we strive for Unconditional Love then certainly GOD had it down pat. & If God loves us Unconditionally, then he doesn’t care whether we pray to the east, in a church or dance naked around a bonfire. If he made us, he must like what he made. If we strive to BE the best US we can, spread joy not strife, do minimum harm to others and most importantly LISTEN to our inner voice which is his conduit to us… if we do all that, how can we NOT be worshiping God?

   I’ve always felt ANY religion that insists its the only one weakens its credibility! Blew my mind when I read this article.
   http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/PSEUDOSC/ForestDesert.htm
6. 

   Tyge

   May 3, 2011 at 5:48 pm (edit)

   Religion does strange things to people, and so does fighting in a war. My uncle came out of Vietnam a different person, and not in a good way.

   Shalom.
7. 

   Tyge

   May 3, 2011 at 5:40 pm (edit)

   Thanks for the comment Heather. I’ve been trying to be a more passive, buddha-like human, and even looked into Buddhism here in Las Vegas, but sadly, a true Buddist doesn’t smoke or drink (although Leonard Cohen does)and well, I guess I have selfish priorities that take precedence over having good karma.

   Nice thought about the virgins, although I’ve seen some pretty hot nuns over the years. thanks again!
8. 

   Tyge

   May 3, 2011 at 5:34 pm (edit)

   Yes, a formal apology would have been a nice thing for Osama to do, right before being executed. Did you even read the post? I don’t claim sympathy for Bin Laden, I just refuse to celebrate his death, or the justice of it. I’m sure the majority of familes who lost someone on 9/11 (I’m not in that category) didn’t go out and cheer in the streets when hearing the news of Bin Laden’s death. Celebrating won’t bring their loved ones back.
9. 

   Tyge

   May 3, 2011 at 5:25 pm (edit)

   “Just sayin’?” FUNNY GAL.

   Thanks Mara. Considering your past service and your husband’s important role the other day, your similar feelings validate what I hope to be the thoughts of many military personnel. I did not want to offend or disrespect, and reading your comment confirms to me that I haven’t. Thanks again, and I hope C. is home soon and safe. Tell him he is appreciated.
10. 

    Steve

    May 3, 2011 at 3:49 pm (edit)

    I agree with the gist of what you’re saying…
    The taking of the life of a man by another man is never a good thing, maybe well deserved but still not good… It’s just unfortunate that we humans get ourselves into these situations, often in the name of god.
    Religion does strange things to people!
11. 

    Heather Barton

    May 3, 2011 at 12:44 pm (edit)

    I think American’s are less Celebrating Death as Celebrating the feeling of Justice his death has given to many. He boldly claimed responsibility and we couldn’t give him the justice we felt he deserved for considering the deaths of so many non-combatants (people not to just Americans) necessary to make a point. It left us with a feeling that if we didn’t show severe consequences for such acts that more and more of them would be committed. I think many are celebrating the Hope (small as it is) that 911 will never happen again now that Bin Laden is dead. Even though we all know that hope is not based in reality we, celebrate any step that takes us toward it.

    I didn’t celebrate his death. I was actually surprised he was still alive and pissed at Pakistan. (Even knowing the impossibility of America knowing if a huge criminal is hiding on its soil.) Since my beliefs on death are cyclic and karmic and a bit Hindu, death… any death, is a point of moving on. I don’t celebrate it and I don’t overly mourn it. I’ll miss a person I’ve know who has died and feel the pain death causes another.. but I don’t elevate human existence so much that death becomes the ultimate crime.

    That being said, I also didn’t chastise those who felt the need to celebrate a victory nor did I “woot woot” it with the celebrants. I read many blogs and posting with warnings about martyr consequesnces… etc.

    But me being me..I did quip here and there that if Bin Laden was in heaven with his virgins, I hoped they were nuns with rulers because really… these days… other than indulging in pedophilia.. where else will you find virgins!
12. 

    Anonymous

    May 3, 2011 at 12:25 pm (edit)

    I guess you would have preferred it if Osama would have issued a formal apology, and told the world to move on and just get over all the fucked up shit he did. Did you lose anyone on 911?
13. 

    Mara

    May 3, 2011 at 5:20 am (edit)

    Thank you. This echoed my sentiments exactly. In my occupation it is not always the best or right thing to voice my opinions and I feel validated knowing that someone else had the same reaction as I. I did, however, listen to a moving piece on the radio yesterday, that reminded me of how this all began approx. 10 years ago and I felt a small piece of my military pride rekindled… an odd feeling that had faded to almost nothing within the past few years. I’m glad to have served… but I prefer to remain a “quiet professional” instead of a screaming, taunting, gun-toting asshole. Just sayin’.

Five O'Clock Vegas Blue

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When I was living in Nashville and planning my move to Las Vegas, I ordered a Las Vegas apartment guide so I could find a place to live. I remember sitting at my desk at the hobby shop and flipping through the glossy pages, in awe of the beautiful blue skies often featured in the ads.  Yes, I looked at the pictures of the buildings and floor plans, the pools and clubhouses, but what really turned me on was the ever-present blue Las Vegas sky.

Were these ads edited to look better? Certainly the pictures of the apartment interiors were taken with a wide-angle lens to make the rooms look larger, but did they also make the skies more blue? Did they crank-up the saturation levels? Fortunately and thankfully, I don't think they did.

The only thing I miss from my days as a graveyard-shift Las Vegas bartender is the dawn—the moment the sun breaks over the horizon, and the dark regresses into long shadows. Every morning I would step outside the restaurant and greet the day, more often looking West rather than the East because the sunlight would creep down the rocky surface of the Spring Mountains, exposing their brilliant colours on a Las Vegas sky-blue canvas. 

It wasn't until I read The Way You Wear Your Hat—Frank Sinatra and The Lost Art of Livin' by Bill Zehme that I discovered there was a name for that time of morning, and that Frank Sinatra had a thing for the crack of dawn too:

“He would break more dawns than most mortals.  Each one was his triumph, the death of each night.  He had survived yet another one.  ‘He feels reborn in the morning light,’ his daughter Tina once attested.  When horizons brightened, he exulted over the spoils of war.  ‘Look at the colors!’ he would say, pointing bleary comrades toward thousands of sunrises.  ‘What kind of blue would you call that?’ He called the tint of sky that offered him most peace Five O’Clock Vegas Blue.  ‘You have to see it to know it,’ he dared disbelievers. Steve Lawrence, who saw his share of Vegas Blue, says, ‘I’ve told him he’s probably the last of the Italian vampires.’"

It's been a while since I've seen Five O'Clock Vegas Blue. I actually think it'll become a name of a paint colour offered by Home Depot sometime in the future, but if you ask me, Vegas Blue can't be replicated—like Sinatra said, you have to see it to know it.  

One of these days I need to try and wake-up while it's still dark and get Fergus the Trek out on the road, just to see that Vegas Blue. Not being a morning person though, I'd be better-off staying awake all night, rather than trying to get myself out of bed that early.

I think Frank would whole-heartedly agree with my swell plan.

FiN.

Why Japan is Going to be Okay

He's not my brother, but he is heavy. Photo from Reuters.com

Last night Steve and I were sitting at the pub like we do most every Thursday night.  The news of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan was fresh on the news, and played-out on the television hanging above the bar. We watched as the water came ashore, but the footage was of rural farmland and really, it looked rather anti-climatic. We talked about how fortunate it was that the epicenter was fairly near to the coast, because  the close proximity wouldn't allow the waters to swell to bombastic heights.

In short, we obviously didn't know what the hell we were talking about.

Then at work this morning, while watching more of the devastation on TV, a bellman came down to the basement and said a guest had told him, “God was punishing Japan for bombing Pearl Harbor." I'm glad I wasn't around to witness the actual comment, because I probably would have lost my job.

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Miyagi Prefecture, near Sendai, was one of the five largest quakes ever recorded.  The ensuing tsunami added a second blow, along with nearly one-hundred aftershocks. It's a grim situation over there, and my heart aches for the people of Japan.

But...

The Japanese are some of the most awesome people on earth. Over the next few days and weeks I think you'll see the country of Japan at their finest hour. In the years following The Second World War—after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the country—Japan became the epitome definition of “resilient," and this was long before the word (along with the term “ground zero") was associated with New York City and 9/11.

With search and rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts, Japan is facing it's largest undertaking since post World War II, and they will no doubt excel and succeed, because that's what they do.  And just like they did in the postwar years, they'll have a little help from their friends. It has yet to be announced how much money the U.S. will contribute to the aid of Japan, but I bet it will be more than the 2.5 billion dollars we gave them in the years after the atomic bombs were dropped. Did you know the U.S. gave so much money to Japan after we dropped the bombs? We did, and I suppose it made some high-up American brass feel better about themselves, especially after killing so many women and children.

As I write this, the estimated death toll is at a thousand, but it will most likely rise, although probably not to a fraction when compared to the 230,000 people who died in the Indonesia earthquake/tsunami of 2004. Since Japan is an earthquake-prone country—and a lot more modernized than Indonesia—the country was more prepared for the event, and their steps to protect themselves against Mother Nature's wrath will undoubtedly be reflected with a relatively low death toll—and thankfully.

“Tsunami" is a Japanese word. It means "harbor wave," although I think that's putting it lightly.

I was in Japan a few years ago and I totally fell in love with the country. Their respectful culture, integrity, humbleness, and excellent food are just a few things I love about the Land of the Rising Sun.

Oh yes, Japan will be alright, I know it will be. It has to be. They've faced this scenario before, although the first time was due to a despicable crime against humanity, and not from a natural occurrence. Out of the ashes Japan rebuilt, and the land became one of the most respected, powerful and influential countries in the world. They'll do it again, and this time even better than before. That's Japan. Will there be looting and pillaging in the days ahead? I seriously doubt it because it's simply not in their nature. Japan isn't like us—they're actually better, and in many ways. 

To Junko, Mr. Matsumoto, Mr. Matano, Mr. Tomita, and to the rest of my Japanese friends, you're in my thoughts and I hope you and your families are safe. Please take comfort in knowing this disaster and devastation that your country is coping with was indeed an act of nature, and not a malevolent act of hatred or revenge brought upon by an angry God, or by a presumptuously self-righteous country that attempted to act like a God.

FiN.

17 Transferred Comments:

1. Will

   March 15, 2011 at 10:30 am (edit)

   War is universally horrific…it brings out the worst in everyone. Japan did unforgiveable, terrible things in WWII. America did horrible, unforgiveable things in WWII and several other conflicts (Manifest Destiny…you wanna talk about the holocaust, at least it wasn’t successful. America has sucessfully committed genocide). Humans are all naturally despicable. Everyone’s hands are dirty. Picking sides just shows denial.

   ps – However, my mind and soul do go out to the Japanese right now. This has nothing to do with war. They need the world’s support right now, not criticism.
2. 

   Roger

   March 13, 2011 at 6:50 am (edit)

   Our Dad would, and IS, so proud of you little brother.
3. 

   torrygirl

   March 13, 2011 at 4:06 am (edit)

   That a terrible things like the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima can create such heated conflict so many years after the fact speaks worlds to me about the fruitlessness of war as a means of conflict resolution.

   My thoughts are with the people of Japan as well, and I can only hope that the belief that Japan is being punished in some way isn’t something that is widely held.
4. 

   Tyge

   March 12, 2011 at 11:32 pm (edit)

   Thank you Rebecca. I really appreciate your comments.

   Harry S. Truman and I share the same birthday, although he has me by quite a few years. Do you know what the “S” in his name stands for? Absolutely nothing.

   Stay well, and stay safe.
5. 

   Tyge

   March 12, 2011 at 11:24 pm (edit)

   Thanks for reading John, and thanks for your comment. I whole-heartedly agree with you.

   “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country from it’s government.”

   I forget who said that, and too lazy to wiki it, but it seems appropriate here.

   Thanks again.
6. 

   John Copeland

   March 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm (edit)

   A friend turned me on to your blog and I appreciate your writing style and that you are willing to speak your mind.

   I agree that the Japanese will come back again stronger than ever and hopefully we will all learn something from what has happened to them.

   So many Americans think that we are the best, the brightest, and most righteous and everything can be justified in the name of Patriotism. My Country… right or wrong… was a cry in the 60′s during the Vietnam war. Blind allegiance without thought, consideration or remorse is a sad and dangerous state of mind.

   I also believe the bombing of Hiroshima was overkill. (literally)
   However I do think it was important at that time in history to show the Japanese, and to show the world that it did exist. However I’m sure a better location could have been found to show the possibilities of such a powerful and destructive weapon.
7. 

   Tina

   March 12, 2011 at 6:07 pm (edit)

   Well said Tyge. It is a shame that many disregard compassion for fellow humans in favor of a gross need for power.
8. 

   Ken

   March 12, 2011 at 8:49 am (edit)

   Nice. I’ll remember those who died helping to bring an end to the terrible conflict.
9. 

   Ken

   March 12, 2011 at 8:47 am (edit)

   Causalities of war? Really? I look forward to your writing of the resilient Chinese people.
10. 

    Tyge

    March 12, 2011 at 8:26 am (edit)

    Oh, and I did listen to my father. Thanks for the suggestion though.

    http://www.theneonlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/August1995.jpg
11. 

    Tyge

    March 12, 2011 at 8:16 am (edit)

    A prime example of more casualities of war.
12. 

    Ken

    March 12, 2011 at 7:56 am (edit)

    http://www.gendercide.org/case_nanking.html

    Great… You should have listened more to your father.
13. 

    Rebecca

    March 12, 2011 at 5:20 am (edit)

    Thank you for your article. I offer my prayers and support to our resilient Japanese planetary brothers and sisters. I don’t find your article judgemental in any way of WW11 veterans. I guess this just goes to show how deep the effects of war can be on people. All wars, destruction, ‘recovery’ offer the human spirit to grow to a higher place. Some do, some don’t. May we grow together during these Earth Changes as we meet this incredible destruction. What happens to one of us, happens to us all. Some folks apparently don’t understand that, as well. Love to all.
14. 

    Rebecca

    March 12, 2011 at 5:06 am (edit)

    Thank you for sharing this caring insight. I am impressed with the compassion and organization of the people of this Island. I offer my prayers and support to them at this time. May we all live in peace. We are all ONE. I don’t think your article was JUDGEMENTAL of WW 11 vets…simply stating that this event made the Japanese people come together and develop compassion in their personalities. Don’t worry, most of us, will understand and see the bigger story here. (and, I just happen to be a huge Harry Truman fan…not that I agreed with the decision that he made. One of history’s big debates.)
15. 

    Tyge

    March 11, 2011 at 11:54 pm (edit)

    My father was a World War II veteran, and as a photographer, he documented the aftermath of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, so please don’t tell me about something you think I “know so little about,” especially after I’ve met with A-bomb survivors, reluctant American Veterans (yes, there are some, as my Dad was one), and have researched beyond the American propaganda that’s written in OUR history books.

    I was simply stating that after rebuilding from the devastation of the atomic bombs, Japan can most certainly get past this catastrophe.

    “Stupid fuck?” Those words say a lot more about you than me.

    Thanks for sharing though.

    PS. I have no idea what you were trying to say in your second sentence.
16. 

    Ken

    March 11, 2011 at 11:37 pm (edit)

    Unless you are a World War II veteran – don’t ever judge the men who decided to bring the horrible war to an end with the atomic bomb. You won’t this lie they made that decision so lightly. You stupid fuck.
    A tragedy has taken place. Focus on that and not on another tragedy such as a world war and a subject that you know so little about. Bring up the Atomic Bomb? You’re no better than the idiot that you quoted about Pearl Harbor.
17. 

    junko

    March 11, 2011 at 9:18 pm (edit)

    Arigato, Tyge. You are my best American friend.