Maybe This Will Change Us, If Only Briefly
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A good person does not rejoice in the death of another human being. A good person doesn’t hear that another living, breathing soul, one created by the maker of all things, has been gunned down and feel happy about the news.
Guess I’m just a bad person, then.
When I heard the news that Osama bin Laden had been shot and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs, I didn’t exactly go out and dance in the street. It was late, I was tired, and it would have been kind of weird to do it all by myself. I know for sure it would have freaked out the dog. But I did pour myself a large celebratory drink, sit down, and smile a smile of pure satisfaction.
Truth be told, my revenge fantasies since Sept. 11, 2001, have not involved Osama bin Laden being blown away. They’ve been of him sitting alone in a clear plastic cage, like Magneto in the X-men movie, surrounded by pictures and constantly playing videos of the people whose deaths he orchestrated and their families, constantly confronted with the human cost of what he’d done for the rest of a long, miserable life.
But I knew that would probably never happen. I don’t even know where you’d go to get a cell like that. So as second choices go, this one will do just fine.
I can’t help it. I still remember, as if it was yesterday, the shock, the fear, the anxiety of that pretty September day when I heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, followed by the news of the plane that crashed as its passengers tried to take it back from the terrorists to keep it from becoming another flying bomb.
We all felt it, and we’ve all felt that anxiety and that sense of creeping paranoia every day since. It’s made a lot of us a little bit nuts. It’s made a few of us really nuts. That one incident united us, then it divided us, and I don’t know how long it will be before we’re really whole again. My children grew up in a world afraid of its own shadow because of that s.o.b, and while his death will not spell the end of terrorism, I can’t help but be happy he’s been paid back for that.
So what now? Will the death of the man who’s been the dark and beardy face of terror bring us together just as the original attacks did, albeit all too briefly? Will the slaying of this particular dragon start a national healing process?
Well, maybe.
I was encouraged by the fact that even Dick Cheney, who’s previously made thoroughly obnoxious pronouncements that he didn’t think President Obama actually believed we were at war with terrorists, had nothing but praise for the “people who worked very very hard for a long time,” then went on to say, “It’s also a good day for the administration. President Obama and his national security team acted on the intelligence when it came in and they deserve a lot of credit too.”
Former President George W. Bush also was very gracious, acknowledging President Obama’s “courtesy call” to him before the announcement. So credit goes right back to them as well. In their honor there’ll be a two-week moratorium on calling Mr. Bush “Dubbya” and on “shooting in the face” jokes.
On the other hand, a person on Twitter who identified himself as the founder of the “NYC Tea Party” couldn’t bring himself to celebrate the moment without a bitter jab at the commander in chief who was announcing the success of the operation: “I can literally see Obama’s eyes moving back and forth reading the teleprompter. Cheapens this historic moment.”
Meanwhile, commenters at the right-wing site RedState were confident that the whole thing was orchestrated to take people’s minds off examining Obama’s birth certificate. Is that some tunnel vision or what?
So we’ll see. Haters are gonna hate, no matter what. This, however, is a time when the vast majority of Americans want to greet this as good news, as evidenced by the celebrations at the White House, Times Square and ground zero. Maybe this time, the haters, sore losers and conspiracy theorists will find themselves marginalized and, for once, shunned by the people who direct the media spotlight.
We live in hope.
Dusty Rhoades lives, writes and practices law in Carthage. Contact him at dustyr@nc.rr.com.
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Comments
moonchild7 2 years ago
I don't know about you Dusty but it sorta looks like the local REPUBLICAN, RIGHT-WING, TEAPOTS, have been silenced. Where could they have gone? Surely the Presidents very successful accomplishments of last week couldn't have made them have second thoughts about their own beliefs and attitudes? Could they?
mcg2010 2 years ago
MC7, I respect your opinion and I too, tire of the endless bashing of the president by those who seem determined to question every thing he does. However, if DR's column is questioning how long the solidarity will last then I think your comment just answered his question. Antagonizing those who disagree with you makes you no better than the conservatives who typically attack DR for his columns. Maybe this is a moment that could change us. Perhaps the "local REPUBLICAN, RIGHT-WING, TEAPOTS" actually agree with Dusty, and that is why they are quiet. What good does it do to be petulant and childish to put on our "I told you so!" hats to defend something that needs to defense.
I guess you're right Dusty, "Haters are gonna hate, no matter what." And it looks like that is going to go for both political parties on this one.
moonchild7 2 years ago
Absolutely nothing I said was hateful. I really am curious if people(those on the RIGHT)who've been so adamant about many of President Obama's "short-comings" have perhaps changed their minds? Hillary Clinton was a college Republican until after the assasination of MLK and meeting Bill Clinton. My parents were always Democrats until Ronald Reagan showed up. Also, I am not doing an "I told you so" moment. Rather I would like to know if truely historic moments like we've had this week has changed anyone regarding how they think about our country, our President, our history and our future. Nothing wrong with that. You have had the bad attitude not me.
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Considering your stated disdain for the "demographic" who you claim elected Obama, I don't expect you to give him any credit.
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Of course Obama could have chosen not to act. He could have decided that the intel wasn't strong enough, could have decided that the chance for collateral damage was too great, could have decided to use stand-off weapons like drones that would have resulted in uncertainty. But he didn't do any of those things. He made a good command decision. People across the country, even opponents, are praising him for it. And that really eats at you, doesn't it?
The decision to hunt Obama Heh. Dr. Freud, your slip is showing...
And Bush had disbanded the unit tasked with hunting down OSAMA in 2006. Facts, mauiman. They're not on your side.
GoldenDreams 2 years ago
James, I'm not saying Bush disbanded any unit to catch Bin Laden, but I definitely recall him saying, "I don't really think about Bin Laden much anymore." Now that's an incredibly dumb thing for the Commander-in-Chief to say. We lost 3,000 lives and that's what our frustrated President has to offer?
Bflat 2 years ago
Death of ObL is nothing to celebrate and neither is the hoopla, hype and all the outrageous rumors, allegations, lies,, orders, lack of orders and coverups distorting everything. It may help families of those killed on 9-11 to bring some closure or cause more grief as only time can tell. It just looks like the whole thing is taking the spotlight off of much more important things that need to be addressed as only time will tell on that, too.
teufelhunden 2 years ago
Well said, Bflat. I think Obama does deserve credit-this took place on his watch.
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Obama did a good thing, and he deserves credit for it, no matter what his "demographic". And no matter how bitter you are about it, he's taking that credit.
Bflat 2 years ago
What is the real truth about why he stalled issuing the orders or there being a lack of orders? This is not a politically motivated question. It is a question about what is really true on the matter because I'd really like to know.
pinewoodnc 2 years ago
Of course he is. The egomaniac takes credit for everything and has something to say about everything.
Ross 2 years ago
whew - I can see your face turning red and you pouting like the spoiled brat you are. :)
moonchild7 2 years ago
I thought it possible that a little light would be taken in by the DIE-HARDS but it seems not to be, Dusty. Let them have it then I guess. So sad to be so set in stone. Bush BLEW IT!!! And he took credit for it with his crooked smirk and HORRENDOUS Mission Accomplished Banner! Who's revising history? There's a very good Report from the 2007 US Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the "History of Tora Bora". The US Special Operations Command, along with Afghan's were on OBL's trail: "Intelligence placed Senior AQ including UBL squarely in Tora Bora. Directing joint forces and various groups of Afghans toward AQ positions COBRA 25 hoped to either capture or destroy UBL and his AQ followers...the noose around AQ tightened consistantly through 17 Dec." According to the report our government never sent in more than 100 troops/forces to try to even find and kill or capture OB after weeks of search and bombings. And then that was it! Attention turned to the invasion of IRAQ in Jan. 2002. And those BUSH people want CREDIT?! Are you joking or what? President Obama didn't have to act on this information either. It was his choice just like George's except the BIG difference being that President Obama said "GO FOR IT", Unlike George in Tora Bora. George could have sent more forces in to get him there but I guess with Cheney running the show, Dick had other plans.
SnakeFlag1 2 years ago
The commander-in-chief authorized a mission by some extremely competent and courageous military men. GREAT!
That was the bulk of the president's part in the plan. He did no begin the search for OBL, He did not plan the tactical approach or the logistical issues. And it may be months or years before we know how long the president knew where OBL was hiding. Rumors are that it was far longer than the 16 hours that he "slept on it."
But there is a chance for Obama to be a real hero on defense. Huge numbers of "Other Than Mexican" illegals are pouring into our country. Some are middle eastern, possible A.Q. or who knows what. The Salvadorian drug people are not the neighbors that we need either. (MS-13, etc.) The huge quantities of drugs flowing across the border is very bad for our country.
All Obama has to do to be a true hero is SHUT THE BORDERS. BUILD THE FENCE. National Defense demands it. Nuclear terrorist control demands it.
SIDEBAR: If the drugs are the chief reason to keep the borders open, WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN HIGH PLACES who are benefiting from the drug trade? (Over a number of presidential cycles...)
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Actually, Obama told his people to make OBL a priority after Bush had disbanded the unit tasked with catching him and said openly "he's not that big a concern to me." One of the things an effective Commander in Chief does is set priorities and then give the order to follow through when the intel and the plan are presented to him. It's simply ridiculous to say the President didn't do anything because he didn't personally plan the attack or the logistics.
sgmartin 2 years ago
Yes by all means lets build a wall. That will certainly work well. Look how effective the Berlin wall was. Bet Native Americans wish they had thought of that 400 years ago
pinewoodnc 2 years ago
Like all the trips Obama takes with his family on the Presidential plane at millions of dollars cost to the taxpayers! He spends most of his time getting every advantage he can out of his term in case it is his only one.
Ross 2 years ago
As expected - brain dead republicans can't even be gracious enough to give mild accolades. Like two year olds with their rattles taken away!
teufelhunden 2 years ago
You're right justpassingby...so true...so true.
It's boiled down to what "side" you're on...it's sad really.
moonchild7 2 years ago
"ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE?!" Of course Bush had ACTIONABLE INTELLIGNCE, our troops had bin Laden surrounded at Tora Bora. Again, read the US Foreign Relations Committee Report. In it's Executive Summary they say: "Fewer than 100 American Commados were on the scene with their Afghan Allies and calls for reinforcements to launch an assault were rejected. Requests were also turned down for U.S. troops to block the mountain paths leading to a sanctuary a few miles away in Pakistan....The decision to not deploy American forces to go after bin Laden or block his escape was made by Sec.of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Gen. Tommy Franks but commanders on the scene argued that the risks were worth the reward." So, Bush essentially miserably failed to get bin Laden before "inhanced interrogations" even began, before there was even much of a GITMO! So many of you guys have your heads in the sand, it's NOT FUNNY. So mauiman, yes they do know for sure he escaped. And it took our first African-American President to HUNT HIM DOWN and get him...not alive but DEAD. Oh, well. Sometimes like this case I am an "eye for an eye" person. His ONE LEFT EYE for the eyes of over 3000 murdered on 9/11/01. No, my life is not sad at all, maiman. Busy, happy, involved and staying informed.
Bigguy 2 years ago
And as far as Obama taking too much credit, he din't land on an aircraft carrier and proclaim "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" Andy Card President George Bush's Chief of Staff has maligned Obama for everything possible. Complained that Obama dissrespected the Oval Office by not wearing a jacket and tie. Complained about the gas prices being to high and about Obama over celebrating. He forgets about his boss being photograped "sans" tie in the oval office along with other Presidents like Clinton Bush Sr. and even Ronal Reagan. he forgets gas prices did hit $4.00, under his boss's term, and his celebration on that aircraft carrier. And don't forget, if this mission did not succede he would chasing President Obama out of town. But no one seemed to care that Bin Laden was in the crosshairs at Tora Bora, and for whatever reason was not given 100% of the resources needed to capture or kill the most wanted man alive.
blessherheart 2 years ago
You said it all Bigguy!
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Exactly, Bigguy. Andy Card is the king of sour grapes.
Bflat 2 years ago
There really isn't anything to celebrate and nothing has changed. There are terrorists on the loose and the replacement leader for AQ yet to be named might be Kashmiri. More travel warnings and other things will be on the horizon.
SnakeFlag1 2 years ago
You guys have some good points on the shortcomings of George Bush. I could add quite a few more in the economic realm. I have never been to Tora Bora, but I get the impression that it is a tough place to chase bad guys. I won't judge the call of the military people at the time.
And jackets in the oval office? I would settle for a PRESIDENT who spent some time there. All of the world's ill can not be settled on the golf course, basketball court or big weekly outings in Air Force 1,
OBL as a priority? Tell me what Obama has not stepped in front of a teleprompter and declared to be a priority! Gasoline prices? Housing market? 14 Trillion debt? Unemployment? I am afraid that all we see on these fronts is the further advancement of the communist take down of America.
History is interesting. Marxist revolutions have traditionally involved and armed revolution to bring them to power. That will not work in the United States because of the huge numbers of firearms in the hands of citizens. (Deer hunters have the BIG ones!)
The plan here is a political take over, and Obama is following the game plan. It has been working for many years, and if McCain had been elected, IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED FORWARD. But Obama played his hand too strongly. He declared war on free markets and private businesses. Government Motors was a live demonstration of his dream for America.
The areas that history will note will be Obama's single handed initiation of the second "Awakening" and putting the tea party movement in motion. Odd that we owe credit for saving the republic to President Obama!
Ross 2 years ago
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sgmartin 2 years ago
Nah. Looks like this won't change us DR. Same old, same old
dustyrhoades 2 years ago
Like I said...haters are gonna hate.
Bigguy 2 years ago
I will be more than happy to tell you why they did not catch Bin Laden. The Delta operators and CIA commandos requested to have Army Rangers to secure any escape routes to Pakistan. DENIED!! The CIA commando, I believe code named BULLDOG, and the Delta commander have spoken about this. They still to this day do not know why the request was denied. I don't think any of these brave men would be considered to be bleeding heart liberals.
Watch the Millitary Channell sometimes anything besides Fox News and get some facts, James. And my nephew is with the special forces, Green Berets and can not understand why a CIA and Delta request was denied.
Bigguy 2 years ago
Hey James, ever wonder why Franks is not on the talking circuit much? He and his bosses screwed up!! That's right I said it Gen. Franks is a washed up has- been, if his bosses, Rumsfeld and others denied him or anyone under his command anything to kill or capture Bin Laden, they should be held accountable! Or were they just worried if Bin Laden had been captured the planned invasion of Iraq would not have any support from the American people. Requests from Delta and CIA commanders are not dismissed so easily.
moonchild7 2 years ago
BINGO BIGGUY! Thanks!
Bigguy 2 years ago
Hey James, I thought So!
Bigguy 2 years ago
Surely you don't remember Storming Norman the last commander of troops in the gulf. Speeaking engagememts forever. Now how many interviews did Gen Schwartzkoptf do, from Kuralt, Jennings, Koppel, Rather, 60 minutes it can keep going on. Did they decide to make Franks Army Chief of Staff, no! Book signings, not many. Heck, when was the last time they had him on FOX? Evan they don't trot him out.
Bigguy 2 years ago
I will let you know, I thought it was despicable, stupid and un-warrented!!! Not clever in the least. Just to let you know, I thought Bush asking Gates to replace Rumsfield was a good choice. I think General Petraeus will be an excellant choice to run the CIA. I have deep respect for the military, and unlike you I don't go lockstep with everything my party says. So let's get back to the original point being that Gen. Franks, Rumsfeld, Steven Hadley, or Cheney, did not put 100% into killing or capturing Bin Laden. CIA commandos and Delta operators do not hold ground or block exits. Rangers do that!! Thats what they train for, and do better than anyone else. Why is it you who doesn't think our guys are capable.
Bigguy 2 years ago
Y