@postaday 122; #postaday2011.
I enjoyed watching segments of the White House Correspondents Dinner, in particular the remarks of President Obama and comedian Seth Myers. But I was also uncomfortable during parts, even embarrassed for Donald Trump. I heart The Donald because of his glorious self promotion and aspirations to attain The White House. It is a side show that I expect even Republicans are loathe to embrace. When his noise settles, a more formidable opponent to Obama will surface. Those of us who support the president for reelection should brace ourselves for that.
Last night’s announcement about Osama Bin Laden’s demise and burial at sea set the Internet on fire. I know for the nearly 10 years since 9/11, friends and family have longed to taste justice. It has arrived. But so many questions come with it. So many what ifs still hang out there. As I see the many updates on Twitter and Facebook about this, the dry humor, the obvious jokes, the chest thumping, the grandiose posturing of Americans, I am a bit embarrassed. I understand that sense of relief, but I don’t get the lack of humility. Is only one man capable of planning destruction and acts of war? I think not. Shouldn’t we now expect worst-case scenarios? I think so.
Am I a fatalist? Well, I’m not digging a bunker in my backyard, but I do think it’s better to seek peace, love and democracy through collaboration, cooperation, and an attempt at understanding and living with cultural differences. Those societies that do not treat their women as equals perplex me, for those are the ones democracy fails to penetrate. And I think most of the world has decided that democracy is the method by which all people thrive best. We cannot demand that everyone behave with some decorum, but individually we should check our tendency to gloat.
Lavagal 
Paula,
As much as I am satisfied that Bin Laden has been dispatched to his final judgement, I do not for a moment think this is the end of anything. At least for now. Murder, no matter how vile the victim is no reason to celebrate. But I do believe a dose of justice has been administered. Relief, is more like it. Hope for an end to this senseless round of conflict, that I can get behind.
Gloating? Not for me, for others maybe, but not for me. Today, I prefer to remember the victims of 9/11 instead.
Yeah, I’m feeling a little uncomfortable about all this public display of rejoicing. Thanks for writing this.
Well said Paula and FatJeff. I agree this is not a time for gloating, but for remembering.
well put. it’s a time to reflect, and to think of all the victims in a conflict that there probably will never be an end to. and, please, enough with the death certificate jokes. heard ’em.