Reacting to Osama bin Laden’s death

Yes, there was a moment early Monday, as I was cheering and blowing my vuvuzela outside the White House, when I asked myself how I felt about celebrating a death [“ Thousands surge to White House to cheer ,” news story, May 2]. Since then, this question has been repeated by a small minority across the Internet and elsewhere, often accompanied by quotes from the Bible about not rejoicing in the death of enemies. I respond to these the same way I answered my own internal query that night: We are not rejoicing in death. We are rejoicing in justice served through death.

When I heard the news, before I went to the White House gates, I posted on my Facebook page: “US News networks confirm: Osama bin Laden has been killed. Now all those killed on 9/11 can truly Rest in Peace. Thank you to our troops who have been fighting this war he started and who have finally taken this evil person down.”

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Personal Post

To me, my friends and the other revelers that night, the focus was on the justice and the solace of that moment. The death was a footnote. Unlike on Sept. 11, 2001, the target was not innocents. It also was not a symbol of global terrorism. It was a real man known to have been directly responsible for attacks that killed thousands.

Bin Laden’s followers overseas shouldn’t be so flattered as to imagine that we would celebrate his death. That night, and in the days that have followed, I and people across the world celebrated justice.

Sarah Valerio, Washington

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In his May 3 letter, Harry J. Foxwell compared Americans celebrating Osama bin Laden’s death with revelers cheering the Sept. 11 attacks. Yes, 10 years ago people who hated America did cheer the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They also burned American flags and promised more terrorism. How is that comparable to the celebration in front of the White House, the World Trade Center and other places upon the death of Osama bin Laden?

No flags were burned. There were no chants of “death to Islam” or any Middle Eastern countries. There were patriotic songs and people cheering for our country. For once, there wasn’t any finger-pointing about “those damn Republicans” or “those liberal babies.” There were, perhaps for the first time, younger Americans getting involved and understanding how lucky they are to be Americans.

A lot of closure occurred Sunday night for thousands of Americans, and we came together to feel good.

Tammi DeVan, Falls Church

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When the happy announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed was made, it was disappointing to hear the president report the event by drawing so much attention to himself. He practically made it seem as if he had been there and pulled the trigger. Even if credit is due to him, it was immodest at best not to give all the attention to the men and women of the intelligence and Special Operations services who ushered bin Laden out of the world.

So much of contemporary life is sullied by politicians seeking advantage from situations largely outside their control. The country needs good news more than it needs the president’s preening.

David Kross, Columbia