The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Bin Laden’s death brings US closure

Bin Laden’s death brings US closure

May 4, 2011 by Jeff Craig

Earlier this week, a team of Navy SEALS raided a mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing Osama bin Laden and bringing the world’s most notorious terrorist to justice.

In a masterfully delivered Sunday speech, President Obama spoke to the public about the “worst attack on the American people in our history.” He recounted the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001, and reminisced about a unified American family that came together nearly a decade ago.

He spoke of “heartbreak and destruction” and of the countless families affected by empty seats at the dinner table and children who have been forced to grow up without a mother or father. Bin Laden certainly wrought heartbreak and destruction. But perhaps even more atrocious, he spread loneliness and fear.

Osama bin Laden was the mastermind behind a massive genocide, shrouded in religious ideology. On the darkest day in American history, bin Laden’s al-Qaida killed nearly 3,000 people. Scores more have died around the globe since.

Americans are overcome with patriotism unseen since 9/11 – this was personal. Response has been jubilee. Americans crowded the streets waving flags near the White House and Ground Zero in New York City. Fans at a game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies broke into a unified chorus of “USA, USA” as news of bin Laden’s death surfaced.

The first day of May will be remembered as a day of celebration in America. However, some are confused as to how we as Christians should respond. Should this be a day of rejoicing?

The answer is undoubtedly, yes.

This is a day for Americans to celebrate, not in a man’s death, but rather in the closure it brings the families of all of his victims and the countless more affected by his actions.

Never again will an innocent person die at his hands. Never again will he cause entire societies to be afraid.

The reality is, we all were affected on Sept. 11. All of our lives changed forever. On that fateful morning, we all lost a good deal of innocence – the world never has been the same.

The story of Osama bin Laden is a real-life tragedy. The story of an individual consumed by what he believed to be truth. Many others have followed suit. Many more still will.

So don’t confuse the chants of “USA, USA” or the mini flags as elation over a man’s death, but rather they should be viewed as a form of closure: closure for the families of his victims – closure for us all.

The war on terror is not over. It may never be over. But, peace-loving people around the world who want nothing more than to live free can sleep a little easier tonight – and that’s cause for celebration.

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Osama Bin Ladin

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

About Jeff Craig

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Bin Laden’s death brings US closure

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Women’s Division:

Vocals:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Delta Theta

Entertainment:
1. Sigma Theta Chi
2. Ko Jo Kai
3. Delta Theta

Note: An earlier post included a spelling error, so we have since updated it for accuracy.

Reply on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Retweet on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Like on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Twitter 1906348770293317827
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Freshman Purple
2. Freshman White
3. Seniors

Reply on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Retweet on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Like on Twitter 1906188185371034000 3 Twitter 1906188185371034000

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

11 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved