Monday 2 May 2011

That Was The Week That Was


"That Was The Week That Was" was a satirical program on the BBC in the sixties. However, if I look back at the past week, I cannot find much humor in the events that presented it to us. First the terrible tornado in the south-east of the USA, than a happy occasion like the Royal Wedding, yesterday the bombardment on Khadafi's house, killing his son and three grandchildren, then there is the situation in Syria and the whole Arab world, and this morning we all saw the news that Osama bin Laden was killed. People are glad that this cruel man is dead. Isn't it terrible that we should be glad that somebody is killed, even if he deserved it? It asks for revenge and hatred. The death of any tyrant is cause for satisfaction for one group and cause for fury, anger and revenge for his friends. I am glad for President Obama, at the same time I hope that new terroristic attacks will not follow this event.Will it ever stop?

16 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

Have to agree with you, Wil. Lot of talk of "closure" but there is no "closure", just violence begetting more violence.

Arkansas Patti said...

Well said Wil. 2011 horrified me but I felt no closure at the news. Osama stopped from killing more innocents is good. It is that eye for an eye thing I can never accept. Sadly, there is some one eager to take his place.

genie said...

This one hit close to home. The week after my son was married, the husband of his wife’s sister was at work at Canter Fitzgerald and was killed. It has been horrible for the family. And to think that my Daddy fought in the Great War...and that was supposed to be the war to end all wars. Sadly that was not the case. The war on terror will never end. Wil, you asked me about the meaning of “to crash the seeding.” Please give me the sentence it was in where you read it and I will try to figure it out for you. On a happier note...thanks to your windmills, I have been thinking about my little Dutch wooden shoe all day long. When I get home I will search until I find it. Genie

Reader Wil said...

It's like Roger says:"It's violence begetting more violence".

Arkansas Patti! I don't like the eye for an eye thing either. He should have been tried in the International Court in the Hague.

Reader Wil said...

Hi Genie! How horrible it is that so many innocent people were killed. I shall never forget the images of 911.What I meant to say is: the satisfaction of the death of Osama bin Laden is different from the joy of the happy Royal Couple, which created a feeling of fellowship. Osama bin Laden created hatred and revenge, which goes on and on.
The sentence you wrote in your comment on the Royal Wedding was: "Wil....Just wanted to let you know I crashed the seeding at 4Am EST. Almost fell asleep at school, but it was OK". It was a nice comment. I only don't know this expression. Thanks for helping.

genie said...

Wil...Sit down and get ready for a BIG laugh.....I cannot type worth a hoot and especially when I have been up since 4AM and could’t get to sleep the night before till 11:00. What I meant to say was: “I crashed the wedding!” Crashing is slang for attending a function when you were not invited. I am laughing so hard at myself. I need to proofread EVERYTHING before I hit the send button. Sweetie...I know what you meant. Now to the other. i really do not know how I feel about the death of this terrorist. He attacked people all over the world...but I wanted him taken alive. I do not think he gave us any alternative but to kill him from the detail that I read and hear...and to use that woman as a shield is the worst ever. I do not think the Seals wanted him killed, either, but they were given no choice. I am glad he is gone for good....in time I will be able to form my opinions better. I have not called my son because Chris’s sister lives is Seattle - he was the one at Canter Fitgerald - because I know they are trying to process this all and deal with their own feelings. I wonder how his precious children are dealing and his wife. In a way it must be as if it is happening all over again because when you turn on the TV you see the Towers on fire. I was a travel agent on that day, and we say it as it was happened on the TV. We also had friends stranded all over the world because no flights were allowed into the US. We actually had a tour stranded in Iceland....and they waited a week before being able to return home. I left the agency one month later and went back to teaching...the stress of that experience was just too much to remain. I am so glad you put up your post and I like reading the thoughts of others.We may be celebrating over the death of the most despised man in the world, but I am sitting here wondering what is still ahead for my children and grandchildren. Now I am off the upstairs to find my little shoe and to take a photo of it for you. XOXOXO Genie

Vicki Lane said...

Part of me agrees with you, Wil. On the other hand, Bin Laden as prisoner could easily inspire endless rescue attempts and terrorist attacks. I don't like seeing my countrymen celebrating as if it were some sports victory but I can't be sorry this evil man is gone.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I was actually driving at the tail end of the tornato when the power was gone, only heavy rain. My school area is Pt Chevalier, that's the end of the tornado, and houses were affected.

It was very heavy rain, and I just drove on. Only when i got home and watch the TV breaking news, I realised the news.

It is small compared to USA, but very rare here. only 2 in 100 years.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I don't want to think too much about Obsama. with the body in the sea, you won't even know if it is him.

Arija said...

...and on top of that an unexpected tornado in Albany, New Zealand, an unheard of event especially at this time of year and so far south, with loss of life and injuries.
Mother Nature seems to be making a point.

Cloudia said...

there is a difference between murder and justice, my dear friend Wil

Reader Wil said...

Cloudia!I didn't deny that! What I want to say is: on a happy occasion like the Royal Wedding or a victory in a football match you can sing and dance in the street, but that's different if your enemy is killed. The feelings I have is relief and satisfaction that the monster is dead, at the same time I don't feel like celebrating and singing and dancing, because this man created fear, hatred, and revenge in his followers, who were barbaric enough to sing and dance when the twin towers were destroyed. Are we of the same kind? I feel sad that a talented person like he was ,only lived for killing as many people as possible. His life was a wasted one. I hope you understand me now, dear Cloudia?

Kay said...

I was just feeling depressed and you've explained why. It feels like the world is in such disarray. It's hard to be happy with all the misery around us. I'm glad Osama bin Laden is gone, but I'm not cheering about it. I'm worried too that there are misquided followers ready to do more evil.

Tania said...

It is sad to see some applaud the death, but it is difficult for me to understand when I have not experienced such disasters. We will probably not get rid of terrorism, but we must have hope for peace:-)
Wish you a happy evening!

Dina said...

Well, no one was dancing in the street in Israel at the targeted killing news.
The Hamas leaders in Gaza said that with bin Laden's death, they had lost a martyr warrior.

BTW, I see much talk in the comments about an eye for an eye. My rabbis always taught that this lex talionis law in the Bible meant "the VALUE of an eye" for an eye. If someone injures your eye, you should get compensation from him in money or goods.

Reader Wil said...

Exactly, Dina! An eye for an eye means what you wrote to me. It could also be a cow for a cow or whatever. It's good that people don't show joy and happiness at the death of the enemy. He was evil and we should, if we are religious, pray for his soul.