On Cheering the Death of Osama Bin Laden

I remember how I was horrified by footage of some people cheering at the devastation in the aftermath of 9/11. I was a college student at art school in New York City when the horrible events of that September morning of 2001 happened. To this day, I mourn those who were lost that day, and I feel sympathy for their family members.

However, the loud cheering today on the news over the death of an admittedly very evil man seems somehow very disturbing. Rejoicing in death -- and planned murder -- is something so very sad. I myself was overwhelmed with emotion at the news before getting the details and tweeted about my relief.

Yet, sometimes you just express gut reactions. In the spirit of true honesty, I feel it'd be wrong to just delete those tweets. Yet, it's not exactly what I feel and think overall. I do not believe in the death penalty. I do not think that killing someone really establishes any form of justice. It does not bring back victims. It does not undo the evil done by someone. I am in good company when it comes to my vision of peace:

• "The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind." - Mahatma Gandhi 
• "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'. But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." - Jesus Christ

Terrorism must be stopped; that much is undeniably true. I am extremely thankful to be a citizen of the United States of America, and I am so thankful that I can speak my mind loudly. So, I am not writing because I have a clear answer. Just some thoughts.