Un-American

Al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi is dead.

I’m not sure how to react to my reaction. Yes, I understand that he killed innocent people. And I do realize that he was an important ringleader in terrorist activities in Iraq.

But I just can’t make myself happy about someone’s death, no matter how many people they themselves have killed.

I felt the same way when Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed by the military. I just can’t be jubilant about another human being’s death. Maybe this makes me un-American. Maybe this makes me a goddamn hippie, or a left-wing nutjob, or something worse. I just can’t make myself say about anyone, “I’m glad they’re dead.”

Of course, none of my friends or family were victims of Al-Zarqawi. Were I in that situation, I’ll grant that my reaction may have been different. I honestly can’t say for sure.

Even if I hadn’t had an initial reaction of not-happiness, I would have been made even more not-happy — no, make that “disgusted” — when the media began showing images of Al-Zarqawi’s bloated corpse. Honestly, that was unnecessary. The one main identification image was bad enough, with his eyes closed and his face all slack in death. But then I saw another, worse image, even more disturbing, showing his swollen lips and protruding tongue… that just took the cake for me.

There’s a line of decency to be observed here. I’ve seen too many REAL CORPSES on the news lately, without any advance warning of graphic content. I doubt that the media would be so casual about showing the corpses of American soldiers on national television.

I could go into a full-blown rant, but I think it’s probably best if I just end here and go to bed.

6 thoughts on Un-American

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  1. It’s okay not to be jubilant about a person’s demise. However this guy was directly responsible for the deaths of American and other country’s soldiers. I am not “for” the war, however, I do support the troops–it’s not their fault they got sent to Iraq. Now if by chance a madman like Al-Zarqawi happens to meet his demise, well good. An eye for an eye…per Hammurrabi’s Law. It’s American to have an opinion about something and express it, it’s highly un-American to not have an opinion. His death will not solve anything, there’s probably ten people just as fanatical as Al-Zarquawi, probably more so. As for the news footage…I found it quite tacky and very distasteful. Certainly the administration wanted that on TV, just as hunter wants a picture with his deer. I’ll stop rambling now…

  2. Imagine how our Grandparrents would have felt if this were Hilter…..
    Would they feel the same? He slaughtered a lot of people. His death would not bring back the millions he killed. Is that what you feel? Al- Zaqawi’s death won’t bring back those he killed. Is an “eye for an eye” truly justice? People will martyr him, and people will condemn him.

    We are thankful to be Americans, and speak how we truly feel. Death doesn’t bring justice.

    I also agree that the media shouldn’t be showing corpse’s- It numbs us. I know they want to give proof the people, but that’s just gross. I’ll just take their word for it.

  3. I guess for some people his death brings a sense of relief, not me. I know that behind him there are ten men and behind them are ten men for each of them. So his death makes me feel nothing. I am in support of some sort of pull out and let these people work it out on their own. The longer we stay there the more hatred we build in these people and the more possible terrorists we are creating for tomorrow.

  4. I have to tell you I was not “happy” when Al-Zarqawi got killed, but there was a sense of increased hope. I know that he will quickly be replaced but part of me hopes this weakened the insurgency a little. Probably not.

    The problem is these terrorists are fighting for something seemingly bigger than themselves; Allah. Our presence in Iraq and elsewhere certainly doesn’t help, but the main driving force behind their attacks is the elimination of all
    the infidels. We are corrupting the world with our culture, or so they seem to say.

    I want our troops to come back as soon as possible. I have friends fighting over there right now and of course I don’t want to lose any of them. However, I also want this terrorist threat to be eliminated, no matter where the frontline may be: Iraq, Afghanistan, anywhere. Can we do that? I hope so.

    I know my political views are probably in the minority of your readership, but this whole thing is bigger than that. I just pray there is an outcome of peace on the horizon.