jakorte's blog

The significance and the impact of the news hit me straight in the heart, just as it did nearly 10 years ago, on September 11, 2001.
From the fall of the World Trade Center towers to current events: Osama Bin Laden is dead.
Surely, I am not the only one whose thoughts drove straight to “retaliation?”
Surely, there are followers of the madman who hold the same quest – and in the name of their GOD believe they are justified in their actions.

The Times Square celebration has left me sad, and disappointed. This wasn’t a football game, or akin to winning the lottery in any sense. Jubilation is just not appropriate.

In the name of my GOD, I profess I will always consider myself a New Yorker at heart. The city enthralled me in my youth, called me back as a young adult, served me into adulthood, and became much of the basis for who I am today. I looked at those pictures carefully and thought of Bin Laden’s supporters dancing in the street when the towers fell, when planes crashed, when lives were lost. I’d much rather we accepted the news with quiet dignity instead of gloating arrogance.

Yes, it had to be done. Yes, it was justified. Yes, I am extremely proud and humbled by the military personnel in our country who have worked for years towards this achievement. I pray that peace has come to the families and loved one of the victims of September 11th. A heinous criminal is no longer in a position to continue the terror.

Patriotism lies in supporting your country, it’s objectives, it’s employees. It should not be about demanding “an eye for an eye” but should rather be grounded in preventing the potential loss of any other eye.

Perhaps if these words had been passed on fliers to the gathered celebrants; perhaps if these words had floated above the crowd on super large screens and tickers;

“I will 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

Perhaps the demonstration would have been redirected towards respectful recognition of a mission accomplished; perhaps the world could have seen One Nation, Under GOD, intent on ensuring peace. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…