Celebrating Bin Laden's death..

The post below was written last year.
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I watched as my fellow American's danced in the streets and chanted USA! USA! USA! After it was announced that Bin Laden was killed. The celebrations were not something I would participate in, but I can't fault others for expressing themselves in such a way.

It took a few days for me to gather my thoughts and express how I felt. I'd like to think, just as there were folks out there celebrating his violent death, others were celebrating the fact that this dark cloud of fear was lifted a bit. For ten long years, some republicans ( with the help of  some Democrats) have used the fear card associated with Bin Laden to win elections and pass bills that trampled on our civil liberties.

After considering all of that, and the devastating blow this country felt on 9-11, people took to the streets and rejoiced at the demise of Bin Laden, rejoiced at the closing of a chapter. 

I can't tell folks how to grieve or if it's proper to celebrate the death of someone as vile as Bin Laden.

 I can tell people this; if I had to choose between the two images, I'd much rather see folks dancing and clapping, instead of looking at them with soot on their faces from buildings that have blown up, looking shocked and bewildered. Yes, this country will have more mournful days to come, but right now we can all let out a collective sigh; knowing that someone as despicable as Bin Laden is no longer walking among free people. 

Of course there will be someone else waiting in the wings to take his place, and hopefully with the right leadership we will be better prepared than we were on 9-11.