They wouldn't be happy if Jesus Christ himself came down and

[texpatriot2004]

handed them money. Ok, so the actual Southern quote is "she wouldn't be happy if Jesus Christ himself came down and handed her a $5 bill." Oh Geez-o-Pete! Oh for Pete's sake.

I think it is awful that "we", in the broad sense of the term, as Americans, are never satisfied, nothing is ever enough, nothing is good enough for us that we cannot find fault, criticize and thereby sacrifice any gratitude we may have regarding the topic at hand; how sad. I think it is dreadful that we cannot be pleased even for a short time period, a few hours, or perhaps one entire day at least.

For instance, the news of Bin Laden's death had barely surfaced when immediately people are saying, asking, demanding that we leave Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not my intention to debate that issue, nor do I disagree necessarily, I am merely illustrating a point. Can we take a moment, can we take a breath and savor the "now" - what good can we find and appreciate right now? Another example that comes to mind is the request for "proof" of Bin Laden's death. All in good time I say. I can't imagine that President Obama and the people involved in this mission have not already anticipated the demands of Americans like Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, etc. and their followers not to mention the legitimate, sincere requests made by other Americans who are inclined to support the President and the Government for such "proof." I am certain that this was anticipated and planned for by President Obama and his team. After all, President Obama is a great chess player so to speak.

In my opinion, part of this issue, is the demand for "proof" in general these days, but specifically regarding the death of Bin Laden. I suppose we have grown up in the age of "proof". I am all for questioning authority. I am in favor of doubting until you believe. I think it is important for us to use the brain we were given; privately, as individuals and collectively too. I know that this involves a process of coming to believe, of gaining experience and wisdom. I believe as Thomas Jefferson said that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism." Still, I wonder is our demand for "proof" of Bin Laden's death because we are so jaded, so cynical, or is it because we repeat talking points and don't think for ourselves, because we follow instead of leading, or maybe it is because we have "lost our innocence" as Americans or our lack of humility, or because we have no faith in our fellows - especially those who belong to a different political party and do not share our same beliefs? Who knows? I'm sure it is a combination of many factors. Nonetheless, a more important questions is what has become of us that we are so macabre, so desensitized to death and to gruesome images. Not to mention we have lost our, what is it, respect for the dead? There was a time in our history when even the bodies of the enemy were treated with a human dignity. What is that? Is it compassion, empathy, respectfulness? I'm not sure how to articulate this concept? I, for one, don't want "proof" and don't need it. I find the idea of circulating photos of the dead disturbing, disrespectful, and despicable. The raid was witnessed by some of our officials, the body was buried at sea which was witnessed by people as well. Personally, I am grateful that our Government demonstrated spiritual depth, strength of character, and moral fiber by respecting the dead - I don't care who the dead is - in this case, Bin Laden, yes, a monster, an enemy, but being respectful is not about him, it's about us. What kind of people are we? What are our values? How will we behave? Will we do the right thing?

A last point, what if it were Bush in charge and he did this same thing? Would I want proof? Would I demand photos? I wonder. I had many reasons to distrust George W. Bush and his Administration. My first thought is it wouldn't be an issue because the Bush Administration never pursued Bin Laden. In my opinion, they didn't want to catch him due to his Saudi connections. I could be right? I could be wrong? This is only my opinion. Perhaps, I too would want "proof" if the shoe were on the other foot? Why is that I wonder? What happened along the way?

I am grateful that Bin Laden was killed. That sounds terrible to me as a human being to say. But I am glad they "got him." I don't care if he was armed when they killed him. I don't want the details. I am grateful to those in the United States military, to those who serve America in ways that facilitate this mission and others like it. I wish we lived in a world where such a service was not necessary but that is not the case.

Again, for me, I don't want "proof" I don't want to see the photos. I am satisfied that adults are in charge at the White House and that their judgment is sound two things that I could never say about the Bush Administration.

[Drale]

1. They would not believe it was really him and

either have him committed or out right kill him as a heretic depending on where in the world it happens.

[texpatriot2004]

3. You are referring to Jesus Christ, correct? That wasn't really the

issue I was talking about but ok.

[damntexdem]

2. Hey, many of us were saying, asking, demanding it before, too.

Actually, demanding -- and see no reason to stop doing so now.

[gratuitous]

4. I'm not willing to continue to sell things quite so cheaply

I have been carefully taught to distrust our government, and I see no reason to stop doing that now. It may even be insulting to suddenly stop being cynical, considering all the time and effort that's gone into it. And while I'm sure we're all happy that the violations of our constitutional and treaty obligations* is being done by a Democrat, I'm afraid I can't quite bring myself to trim my principles just to fit this year's fashion.

As for the photos, as soon as their existence was announced, they have to come out. Since this is part of the package I paid for with my tax dollars, I reckon I deserve to see it all, every last loathesome bit of it. So that when the rage/anger/retribution comes, at the very least I'll have some idea of why. I object strenuously to being put in harm's way for this, but there's really nothing I can do about it. Those wronged will probably be unable to visit their wrath on the actual perpetrators of our crimes against humanity, so they may settle for revenge against those they can reach. A lot of people have either not thought this through, or are perfectly fine with assuming the risk on behalf of our nation's elite.

*There isn't an exception to following the law because we're told someone is a really, really bad person, or because we were really, really scared by something that happened.

[texpatriot2004]

5. I wonder what the night owls think about this? nm

[Fuzz]

6. I've said before that the tea-bagging christian conservatives would follow the devil himself

straight to hell if he offered them tax cuts, a gun and called Obama the Usurper in Chief.

[texpatriot2004]

7. That is so funny and so true eh. I'd have to agree with you on

this. Thanks for the laugh :rofl: