bin Laden

I've seen so many different reactions to the death of bin Laden. My own reaction? Some small amount of happiness and relief. Some sadness, too, a bit inchoate, not about his being dead, about which I feel very little, actually. Maybe more about all the death and destruction he caused, brought about for himself and others...and what this country has become. Sadness for all that's been lost. So, mixed emotions.

Oddly, the reactions that I find the most mystifying are the ones of some acquaintances who profess not to understand the celebrating and jubilation. It's one thing to not feel the same way or to participate in it, but c'mon. This is America, there is plenty of cause for people to feel happy about this. And I kinda find it a bit offputting, to say the least, because there seems to be a lot of judgment about those reactions. So, yeah, I'm judging the reactions of the people I know who are themselves judging others. Theirs is an intolerant stance and I won't stand for it! (heh)

Seriously, I think it speaks of a lack of imagination, of empathy, really, to not be able to understand what a lot of Americans are feeling and expressing today. Do I think those reactions are unseemly and perhaps a little reminiscent of the Arabs who celebrated when the Twin Towers fell? Yeah, kinda. Somewhat. But I understand it, anyway. And I can't deplore it. I think we're (and by that I mean Americans--and certainly New Yorkers and D.C.ers) are entitled, if only to our own emotions and reactions and not what or how other people think we should feel and react.