I had mixed emotions about this whole death to Osama thing from the moment I got the text from my roommate.  

“Obama’s dead!  Woo!”

Seemed weird to me.  But I brushed it off.  Yea, we accomplished the goal that was seemingly central to this nation for the past (longer than a) decade.  It certainly is something for us to rally around.  Get patriotic about.

But as the night continued, watching news coverage of people celebrating all across the world… and as I’ve moved into today, reading about all of the various viewpoints that people have on the subject, I’m even more split. 

Part of me really wants to get behind this Bruce-Willis-style, name-taking, ass-kicking image of President Obama, and all of the bad-assery that lies within it.  ”Long-form birth certificate?” I imagine him saying, in your stereotypical action hero story fashion.  ”No problem.”  *cue Michael Bay explosions and gunfire*  ”How ‘bout a death certificate, too?”

But at the same time, it’s hard not to be cynical about the whole thing too… How much of a victory is it, really?  Yes, I understand that it’s just the first step in dismantling Al Qaeda, and of course things aren’t just going to change over night… I just can’t help but think the most effect that this whole thing has had is symbolic.  A reason for us to be distracted from the still-desperate situation we find ourselves in (in a lot of ways caused by this incessant cat and mouse game we’ve been playing with the now-deceased OBL) as a nation.  Of course, a boost in morale and patriotism and cohesiveness as a nation is never a bad thing.  I just feel like other factors should be considered.

Just read a column by Kristen Breiweiser, who lost her husband in the 9/11 attacks, and I really feel she has it right when she says, 

“And it breaks my heart to witness young Americans cheer any death — even the death of a horrible, evil, murderous person — like it is some trite tailgate party on a college campus. 

Why are we not somber? 

Where is the deeper, more meaningful reflection? ”

I do not purport to be any sort of credible source, or have any sort of actual input to offer, because I know very little when it comes to the details of any political situation…

All I can say is that the whole thing feels weird… Off…