The Death of Osama bin Laden

Haven't had time to blog on this this week, as it was the week Ari went off parental leave and we were adjusting to our new routine. But now that I have a moment ... some thoughts on easily the biggest news of the week, the death of terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden at the hands of an elite US Navy SEAL team.

Gut reaction was 'good riddance' ...
And I still don't want to imply I mourn his death
Or am shedding any tears.
Although it would be nice ...
Nice to have taken him alive
And given him a trial,
Show him he hasn't killed western ideas
Like justice.
Treat him like the criminal he is,
Show him the justice
He never showed his victims.
I don't mourn his death -
I mourn what he killed before.
I mourn what died with him.
And yet I still hope ...
I hope this doesn't lead to retaliation.
I hope this brings closure
To those who have suffered.
I hope this allows all of us
To sleep a bit easier at night.
Ding dong the witch is dead?
Perhaps ...
But let's remember,
The things he represented,
Sadly, are not yet.
And we all must be vigilant
To fight the terror, the hate,
In our own hearts and others
With love, peace, compassion and justice -
Those things never shown
By extremists who embrace terror -
Who fly planes into buildings
Bomb clinics
Behead hostages
Or torture prisoners of war.
Let us learn, let us grow from this,
Let us congratulate the president
And the Navy SEALS
Who did what needed to be done.
Let us wish peace on those who have suffered,
And God's blessings on all
As we now work to move forward
From one of the most awful experiences
Of our century and its fallout,
Insha'allah.