“I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” — Mark Twain
Last night, while getting ready for bed and watching TV, many stations broke their regular programming and reported a major announcement.
Reputed terrorist and mastermind of the September 11th, 2001 attacks, Osama Bin Laden was killed by United States Forces over the weekend in Pakistan.
For the past nine or years, the United States has been fighting a war on numerous fronts around the world; therefore, there are varying thoughts and opinions about that effort. Whether or not you agree with the military action at all, last night’s development was one that was anticipated for a long time.
I don’t think that anyone ever wishes a person dead; however, the case is different with Bin Laden. The man affects the way we live in America as he changed the way security is done, how we travel through airports, the financial system in this country and how we all feel about being citizens.
Sadly, September 11, 2001 changed America forever — in some ways good, some bad (depending on your perspective).
In addition, bin Laden attacked the very symbols of freedom, government and capitalism in this country – that being the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. and the Twin Towers in New York City. Let’s also not forget what happened in Central Pa., where a little more than forty people prevented another horrific attack on Washington symbolizing the first victory in the war on terror.
This war isn’t over by any stretch of the imagination, but a chapter definitely is closed with the demise and death of Bin Laden.
To see people celebrating over his death in New York, Washington and around the nation was a little morbid; however, considering the circumstances and what has happened since 9/11, it was justified. It was actually awesome to see Phillies and Mets fans — who definitely have no love lost for each other — cheering together in Philadelphia and chanting ‘USA, USA, USA’ on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.
Heck, even baseball was affected for a week after the attacks and the game in way was cathartic — especially for those in New York and those personally affected. I remember vividly Mike Piazza crying when the Mets kicked off the sport again at Shea Stadium during the national anthem, plus the amazing World Series in 2001 featuring the Yankees and Diamondbacks.
I remember the anger, the sadness and the disillusionment from talking with fellow employees, customers and friends at the time.
Sports helped to take your mind off what happened. I know I spent a bit more time at Oriole Park at Camden Yards after that period, plus watching the sport on ESPN and following the storyline of how the New York Yankees would do considering the circumstances.
Really, at that time, being nearly out of post-graduate school, I needed an escape. Baseball in that way was a drug and so was talking about what happened.
The sport of football also helped to dull the pain in similar fashion.
I can say personally for me, I lost my first job out of school because of it. I spent a lot of time in New York in the late 90’s and live in the Washington D.C. area — it is just startling to this very day how much things have changed.
Overall, yesterday it was a good day for America. The brave men and women who have taken an oath to fight a war overseas and perhaps sacrifice their lives so we all can be safe here on the homefront deserve a round of applause.
For the families and individuals who were affected on September 11th, 2001, maybe there can finally be some closure.
