Monday, May 2, 2011

Group Hug: Osama, MLK, & Obama

I don't get it. In response to news that there are people celebrating Osama's defeat and death, literally dozens of my friends are posting this made-up quote ascribed to MLK Jr. :
I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
Okay, so besides the fact that MLK never wrote this (the actual quotation is: "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.")...besides this fact, how is this the logical response to the fact that people are celebrating American military victory in a shoot-out with Osama? A shoot-out between American military and Osama's armed guards, in which Osama's men used at least one woman as a shield, and in which...well...they lost. Whether one chooses to believe it, the Navy SEALS had prepared for a scenario in which Osama surrendered, but he didn't. And he lost. And I'm glad.
The quote just doesn't map to the situation with Osama. What, should we have captured Osama and tackled him with bear hugs, waited for the love to soak in, and then invited him to NYC for a reconciliation ceremony?  WTF?!?! We weren't going to love him out of his murderous awfulness.
I think it's appropriate to celebrate the fact that he was finally snuffed out. Our grandparents would never have stood around wringing their hands about how they should feel over Hitler's death.  And I don't see why Osama's defeat should serve as the basis for reflection on the power of love. The (actual) quote is far better placed in the context of the crappy wars in which millions of innocents have died.
Far more appropriate is the following by Mark Twain, posted by Cara: 
I've never wish a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.
Rejoicing in Osama's defeat is not tantamount to being anti-Islam. Osama has the blood of Middle Eastern/African Muslims on his hands as well as that of Americans. 
Good job, Obama.
Edit: Drat! Apparently the quote ascribed to Twain is also a misquote! The actual quote is: I have never killed a man, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure. - Clarence Darrow.

1 comment:

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