Osama Bin Laden Dead

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

While comparing something to Hitler is the automatic losing argument of the internet world, I think that those people are making the best comparison they know how.

This, all this going around right now, is a cathartic response. The stupidity, the USA USA USA, the fuck you OBL burn in hell and the tears and everything. People needed it, it brings closure and even if most of it isn't the most mature of behaviors or words, it doesn't mean it's not useful to the people feeling/saying/doing those things even if they don't know that at an intellectual level.

We'll get past it and life will go on.

Of course we will.

I think, as a New Yorker (but not one who was here during 9/11), I'm more willing to excuse the emotional responses as catharsis and finding "closure," than I am to accept these historic comparisons that make no sense. Note that I did not criticize the emotional responses, mainly the faux-intellectual blathering and assumptions that the War on Terror is over.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Of course we will.

I think, as a New Yorker (but not one who was here during 9/11), I'm more willing to excuse the emotional responses as catharsis and finding "closure," than I am to accept these historic comparisons that make no sense. Note that I did not criticize the emotional responses, mainly the faux-intellectual blathering and assumptions that the War on Terror is over.

I know you didn't comment on the emotional responses, it was more of a general statement of my opinion. And as for historical comparison it's a bit more like if we'd gotten hitler in the middle of the war. But emotionally the feeling is probably similar and the only thing similar that they can think to compare it to.

Also comments about complacency make me chuckle. Most people are pretty complacent most of the time.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Also comments about complacency make me chuckle. Most people are pretty complacent most of the time.

Right? WTH are these people talking about? There won't be any complacency on the military/LE/DHS side of things, in fact we are actually in a heightened watch right now. Unless they are speaking of everyday civilians becoming complacent then -

I want to ask these people what they've done today to protect themselves from a terrorist attack and if it was any different than what they did a week ago (before Bin Ladens death) to protect themselves. I'm sure I'd get a deer in the headlight look as a response.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Right? WTH are these people talking about? There won't be any complacency on the military/LE/DHS side of things, in fact we are actually in a heightened watch right now. Unless they are speaking of everyday civilians becoming complacent then -

I want to ask these people what they've done today to protect themselves from a terrorist attack and if it was any different than what they did a week ago (before Bin Ladens death) to protect themselves. I'm sure I'd get a deer in the headlight look as a response.

Well I work at a Nuclear facility.... so.... yeah.... I'm allowed to use the word. We get it shoved down our throat 40 hours a week.

"Constant vigilance!"

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

Well I work at a Nuclear facility.... so.... yeah.... I'm allowed to use the word. We get it shoved down our throat 40 hours a week.

"Constant vigilance!"

Now don't be thinking that terrorism is over and start slacking cuz Osama is dead

But in all seriousness, people who say things like "Just because we killed Osama doesn't mean we can't get attacked again" annoy the hell out of me. No shit. Everyone above the age of 8 should know, or at least suspect, that.

Do people really think that the government is going to disband the terrorism task forces and take a four day weekend because Osama is gone? I don't know if it's ignorance or if the public just has a very low opinion of the people who work in the national security field. Probably a combination of both

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Right? WTH are these people talking about? There won't be any complacency on the military/LE/DHS side of things, in fact we are actually in a heightened watch right now. Unless they are speaking of everyday civilians becoming complacent then -

I want to ask these people what they've done today to protect themselves from a terrorist attack and if it was any different than what they did a week ago (before Bin Ladens death) to protect themselves. I'm sure I'd get a deer in the headlight look as a response.

I'm not so much doing more to protect myself from terrorism, but I did take some time to think about upcoming travel and that not will something happen, but when. Something happening could be the announcement of a foiled plot or an actual event, but there are people who will find motivation in the death of that man. I worry about my friends and family who travel and what could happen outside our borders. My reaction has been one of relief; we now know he is dead. Then it changed to one of uneasiness and I will admit, fear of retaliation.

I'm actually most concerned about the civilians of Pakistan, that can't be a good situation to be living in at the moment. Some may think Pakistan collaborated with the enemy and led us to him, and if not involved then damned for letting us get in the country and kill someone there. Reading outside USA news sources gives a lot of different perspectives and Britain has been the most fascinating to me. There are some who are pleased as they have emotions tied to their own attacks of July 2005 carried out by al Qaeda members, and by Osama dying it may be cathartic and bring some a sense of justice. There are also others who question the authority of the USA to go into a country they aren't occupying and kill someone.

A friend posted this on facebook, and I spent some time with the author when he spoke on campus. I don't agree with him 100%, but the part about reactions and curing diseases did get me thinking.

http://www.timwise.org/2011/05/killi...ge-and-revelry