JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON

I didn't know what to make of the news when I received a text from Robin last night that Osama Bin Laden was dead. I was working on a photo project and didn't have the television on. At first, I thought to myself that he won, but only because I assumed he had died of natural causes. It wasn't until I turned on the news that I found out that he was killed by U.S. NavySEALS in a late-night ambush.

To be honest, I didn't know what to feel. I suppose that may have had something to do with all the footage of people screaming "USA, USA, USA." It seemed that suddenly people were backing the effort in locating Bin Laden, and it looked a bit fair-weatherish to me.

As recently as this past February, a CBS News Poll surveyed 1,031 people and found that 54% of the respondents said that the US “should…not be involved in Afghanistan now,” while 37% agreed with the other option that “the US is doing the right thing." 9% were “unsure.”

I have repeatedly expressed sadness and anger at the lack of focus shown by the American people regarding the war in Afghanistan. Perhaps that comes from my own 9/11 experience (for those new to the blog, I was there). Maybe I was, once again, bothered by the inconsistent tone of Americans on this issue. I don't know, I could just be blowing off some steam.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm certainly not sad he's dead. I'm just not one of those who's gonna be running down the street with the flag in one hand and beating my chest with the other, while screaming "USA, USA, USA."