The Fairytale is complete - the girl got her prince and the witch, in effect, is dead. In the wise words of the Munchkins of Oz, ding dong.
Throughout this afternoon, Monday May 2nd 2011, the news of Osama Bin Laden's death has spread with infectious relief across the world. Goosebump inducing footage of American patriotism at its most heightened graces my television screen as I write. And it is graceful. Cheers and chants of 'USA! USA!' fill the air surrounding The White House; people gather, somewhat more somberly, at Ground Zero, the site of the unspeakable and utterly surreal horror that took place almost a decade ago.
Hastily prepared posters are thrust into the air, people feel compelled to stand on their seats at baseball stadiums and the sheer jubilation is palpable as President Obama confirms the news, happily and with unwavering confidence: Bin Laden is dead. So Mr Trump, turns out the President and Commander in Chief did in fact have bigger things to worry about than supplying you with a copy his birth certificate.
As I watch these images tonight and share my relief and satisfaction with the world, the subject of patriotism springs to mind - do we have any? It is obvious our Yankee partners have it in spades, but I have to wonder, what would it take for Australians to gather, sing the anthem and wave our flags in the air? Al Qaeda orchestrated some of the most horrendous crimes against humanity in modern history, including of course, September 11 and the Bali Bombings, during which hundreds of innocent Australians were killed. We lost our people too. So we have full rights to be damn happy about this news. Flag waving, anthem singing, fist pumping levels of happy. But I don't have to head to Fed Square or Parliament House to know there won't be flags or anthems. We just don't do it.
Americans could write the book on patriotism. In fact I'd put money on the fact that there is one such book in existence. After spending a year living in the States, I can personally vouch for the strength and loyalty of Team America (good movie).
Be it 4th of July (that's Independence Day - the real one, minus Will Smith and aliens), or Thanksgiving, or Remembrance Day, or just the general attitude towards the armed forces (unequivocal respect). So where do I sign up? I want in. I work well in a team, my CV says so. I have country envy. While we're on the topic, I also have President envy. Seriously, the man just steps in front of a microphone and I'm convinced of whatever it is he might be about to tell me. Yes we can Barack! Yes we can!
Just to clarify, I love Australia and I love being Australian. I feel so lucky to be a citizen of this country (mostly because it means I never have to do the citizenship test - I would fail for sure). But I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that on a day like this, a large part of me wants to do the flag waving, anthem singing and stranger hugging thing with my fellow country folk. You know, go team.
I think America's patriotic nature has a lot to do with its history and the fact that the country has been around for a while. They've been through a fair bit of action. Patriots breed little patriots. It's not something you can create, it's just there or it's not. And despite my focus on the flags and the singing, it runs a whole lot deeper than that. It's in your blood. It's a feeling of genuine and unconditional pride for your country and honestly, I think it's just one of those things America's got down pat. Much like pizza and well priced clothes. Snaps to us for doing coffee and beaches better. As my Dad always said, we're all good at something.
So it's clearly not over, this whole terrorism business. Backlash, revenge, travel warnings and all that. Al Qaeda isn't one person. We get it.
But let's just have today for us. Let's enjoy, revel, gloat and fist pump. Because as far as news goes, it's good. Today, we win. Go team.
Oh and Osama - don't even think about resting in peace.
What are your thoughts?
P&P xx
Living with an American has ensured this was a big post-dinner topic (mainly because I wasn't home in time for dinner when it would have been a dinner table topic!). I think it was best summed up when D said "I'm glad it was us that got him" - there's that patriotism again! Wouldn't have had the same satisfaction or sense or revenge/accomplishment had another country done the deed.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree Kim - the patriotism is fuelled by a real sense of pride and like you said, revenge. I think it's a real sign of strength and courage too. America hasn't backed down and Obama appears to have played a huge role in this successful mission. He'll be a popular man this week.
ReplyDeleteI wish it would have happened sooner, but this is definitely how it should have happened!
Does D wish he was in America to share in the celebration and the patriotism?
The celebrations were a tad over the top and just as distasteful as the celebrations over 9/11, BUT..... I'm glad they got him. We saw the memorial in NYC this year and it was emotional. He hid successfully for so long that I almost don't believe he's dead. I know the US is in no way perfect, but I'd rather be aligned with them, than with those countries that would harbor terrorists knowingly. I will try to put up my photos of the memorial on my blog.
ReplyDeletefaybian-lifeothercatastrophes.blogspot.com
While I can understand the reaction to the death of Osama, I struggle with taking joy from death. I've noticed a lot of posts with the poignant Martin Luther King quote floating around:
ReplyDelete"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
- Martin Luther King, Jr
Watching guys stumbling around Swanston Street last night at midnight, yelling 'We got him, we got him', harassing cab drivers and behaving disgracefully, I have never felt less patriotic.
Dave, I just wrote something very similar and had that exact quote - then through a moment of technical excellence, lost it. Sign - a first world disappointment as Georgie would say.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you (as you may have guessed from the first paragraph), I felt the celebrating was really off. I like to think that the people massed together out the front of the White House as a way to share their grief over 9/11.
Celebrating the death of a human, or many human - is something OBL was famous for. Do we really want to share this behaviour with a dead mad-man?
- having said that, I love the unity Americans have with their fellow yanks. That ability to celebrate with strangers and band together as one is pretty special, and we just don't have that in Australia.
ReplyDeleteWe have a tall poppy syndrome and we're more likely to bag the successful Aussie than get behind them and be proud. I think that's a shame.
I completely agree that no death should be celebrated, however as Obama stated in his address, 'all who believe in peace and human dignity should welcome his demise'. I do, and I do.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to what Jess is saying, I like to think the flag waving etc throughout America yesterday was a celebration of justice and continued freedom, not of death.
As a believer in peace, I genuinely believe the world is a more peaceful place without him. Martin Luther King Jr certainly has a way with the words and a beautiful sentiment however I don't think it's ever that simple - celebration of death, tacky. But an appreciation and understanding that this man's death will ultimately contribute to a more peaceful world is undeniable - do you agree?
To clarify, and perhaps reflect, I don't think I would have waved my flag last night, even if the opportunity did arise - who knows. It just got me thinking about patriotism and the bond so many Americans share, on so many occasions. And I know if I had lost someone in 9/11 or thebBali Bombings, yesterday would have been a good day.
It's such a complex issue, and such a rare one - I really appreciate your comments and thoughts.
Xx
That quote is actually a fake Dave, I'm sorry to say! (http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/05/anatomy-of-a-fake-quotation/238257/)
ReplyDeleteThe sentiment is nice though.
I think perhaps the Americans are far more patriotic because over 8,000 American soldiers have died in this 'war on terror' and the death of Osama seems to them to be the end to which all those lost lives were a means (even though that is not the case).
Australia casualties are only 13.
The saddest part is that over 900,000 Iraqi civilians are dead and over 10,000 Afghani civilians. I fear that this perceived 'victory' will have people thinking it's OK to support war because it 'achieves its goals' :(
Oh and to clarify: it was actually 6,000 military killed and 3,000 civilians killed (in 9/11 and after). Because of all the lives lost in 9/11 itself there is a big reason for them to be flag-waving like mad.
ReplyDeleteIf I was one of the SEALs who showed up to fry his arse, I'd shoot him, give him CPR, and then shoot him again.
ReplyDeleteYes! Why don't we fly our flags and wave our dismal banners, I want to revel in some good old fashioned patriotism. Go team! But then I realised, we left New York the morning the news broke of Osama's demise. And I have never been more glad. Our prime opportunity to relish in said patriotism and I even if our flight wasn't scheduled I would've booked another to ensure we weren't around for it..
ReplyDelete