United We Are - Divided We Stand
68
Is The War on Terrorism Over?
As the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death by the Navy SEAL’s at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan reached Americans, we celebrated. We sat glued in front of our televisions as President Barack Obama gave his speech to the United States. People gathered at ground zero and at the White House as spontaneous acts of patriotism. Some even walked the streets placing little American flags around yards in America. Why? Because a terrorist we had been fighting for so long has finally been taken down. The mastermind behind the September 11th attacks - the attack that has wounded and killed many of our soldiers and civilians, the attack that made America stand up United against terrorists, the attack that has stolen our sense of security - has finally been taken down.
Is this grounds for a celebration that is long over do? Yes! So what is the problem with this situation?
The problem is the embarrassment of how so many American’s have reacted. Not in their means of celebration, but by the means that has divided this country due to political stances. While we should mark this time down in the history books as an accomplishment made by the American people, instead we are fighting against each other for who we should thank. The quest for credit has just begun.
Some have fought over how honorable it was that President Obama had signed the papers the ultimately resulted in the finding and finishing off of the number one terrorist. Others say to give credit to were it is due - since it was the Bush Administration that ultimately led to Bin Laden’s demise.
In reality, isn’t it a cooperative moment. Both administrations helped to find and secure this enemy of the United States. This isn’t a one up for Obama and a dream Bush only wished he could have attained. This is a Win-Win situation for all of America and for both administrations.
In a statement by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia, he stated this was a package deal. That it wasn’t a win from either administration. “I commend President Obama who has followed Bush in bringing Bin Laden to Justice,” Cantor said.
What's your opinion?
What do you think about this situation?
See results without votingFly our flag high and proud!
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Is the Unproductive Babble Tearing us Apart?
The unproductive babble about who gets credit is only tearing apart us as United States citizens. It is obvious who should get credit. It is everyone. It is both Bush and Obama. But mostly, it is the Navy Seals who did the dirty work. It is the military service members who spent nights away from their family on a mission they weren’t sure they would return from. It is the veterans, whether it is those who have been injured and returned home or those who served their time and got out. It is those that never made it back. These are the unsung heroes who are hardly getting a note of the credit deserved. While we should be celebrating, instead we are fighting over which president led the battle.
As I have watched the news stories flash by, and the numerous Facebook status updates turn into political debates, I can’t help but wonder why. Why is it that when we should be celebrating together, we are throwing low blows to each political party? As Americans we are a melting pot of different races. We have different opinions. We are people. It is in our nature. As Americans we have the right to speak our mind, yet this right that we have fought for, has turned a celebration into our own little personal war at home.
In this time of celebration, can’t we all just get along and agree to disagree? Give credit to were it is due. To the men and women who have fought in this War on Terrorism or have served our country proudly. You are disrespecting everything they do by turning this into a competition. There is no competition. As Americans - Mission Accomplished. I congratulate each and every one of you - the citizens of this great place!
So as we continue to stand here divided, let’s put our views aside. This is a moment of celebration. Let’s enjoy the moment!
Disclaimer
I typically don't like to write on political events. In no way am I take a stance for either political party. I do believe this is a time for American's to stand together and celebrate and I feel that the political cut downs that have been happening is unproductive and leading to further division on the homefront. While I look forward to your comments and would love to hear from you, this is not intended to be a place for political debates. If any of the comments can be considered distasteful and argumentive, they will be declined.
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Thank you Junko - I try to stay away from political stuff in my writing typically because I don't like the arguments. People can research and become educated and still base their opinion with the same facts against just about everybody and everything. I believe we should stand together as a nation. There are few people who can state something political and not end up in the middle of an argument. I almost hesitated writing this piece - hence the disclaimer at the bottom.
Great hub - A much needed job has finally been done. What is there to argue about? The Navy Seals who were asked to go in there and complete this difficult mission are who deserve the most credit. Then those who did the years of difficult and frustrating work to find this location also deserve credit. The fact is by many different people working together the job got completed. Why can't we just give credit to everyone involved in the process and let it go at that?
Great job Barbergirl28! I enjoyed reading this hub. Voted up and awesome.
I am sad that people had to die, even Bin Laden. He chose his death by his way of life. He lived in hatred and dealt in death. He was surely not surprised. He knew he was hunted. I long for the day Americans learn to support our country even as we disagree on certain issues. Will this happen anytime soon? I doubt it.
Thanks for an intriquing Hub.
@Old Poolman - I have to agree - lets just give credit to all of those who have participated. It isn't an issue that we need to fighting about. The only thing it is doing is dividing us as a nation when we should stand tall.
@gis_r07 - Thanks for stopping by. I am glad you enjoyed it. It was inspired because of all the arguments I have been seeing politically when we really shouldn't be arguing at all.
@Hyphenbird - This war has caused so many unnecessary deaths. Bin Laden did choose his path. He lived a life that was filled with hatred and death. But the fighting over here is entirely unnecessary. It probably will never get resolved. We will always disagree. But I wish we could all be a little more open to other people's opinions. Thanks for the wonderful comment.
i agree totally. there should be moments when we all realise that we are part of the human race and rejoice or cry together.where is the politics required in this?however it is one of the pitfalls of democracy that such jockeying begins the moment credit is created., though any credit that becomes due is due to the efforts of many disparate individuals across party lines.
do we know how many of the forty men that went in to that villa were democrats and how many republicans?they were all americans and human beings on the side of the right. and THAT we must rememebr.
Just another day in the United Divided… Everyone has his or her own agenda. Unity is not taught in schools, everyone is now an individual snowflake and perfect. The draft no longer exists so no one is required to put themselves on the line for this nation and fight for the cause, so why believe in one. There are not great causes or groups that even attempt at unity anymore including charity (It is awful when we have politically motivated charity groups now). Where does this leave us? People label themselves as Republicans or Democrats or by anything else before labeling themselves an American. Only great success and tragedies unite this nation, but even now, that is even falling apart. September 11, 2001 was the last great unifying moment, everything since then continues to divide us. At every turn, it is something else to drive a wedge, disaster responses are too slow, incarceration of killers and terrorist too rough and the list keeps growing.
@Neeleshkulkarni - that is a good way of thinking about it. We don't know how many of them were Republicans and how many of them were democrats. They have only labeled themselves as Americans and that is the way it should be.
@Tages - That is the most beautiful comment I think I have ever read. We encourage everybody to be individuals, so much so that when it is time to stand together we just can't do it. We live by labels and the only one that really matters is that we are American.
As an American vet I am very proud of the Navy Seals. This is an Americn victory. Did I say I was proud of the men and women in our armed forces? Those who worry about who gets the credit need to remember they are Americans first! We all are!!!
Barbergirl- Kudos, kudos and kudos again! I was just reading a new York times article about giving credit, whether pics should go out, why this and why that and I just stopped reading it because , yes, you said it best let's just agree to disagree. You have written in such a wonderfully, well written article exactly how I feel about all this as I am literally on my bus making my way into Manhattan thinking about how the city was on 9-11 and how the city is today.
I thank you for this and for telling it like it is and I love your disclaimer because you know you were/are going to get those that will stick their political two cents into this as always. I voted you up big time.
And certaintly last but certaintly not least, THANK YOU to all the brave men and women in our armed forces around the world that do what we know is the bravest most difficult thing to do while We all go about our lives.
God bless America and people let's be less political and more humane.
Amen! Cannot add anything to your well-stated thoughts. Up & Awesome!
BG...I couldn't agree more with your statements. They were right on the mark. I think some people love to make most things political...it is a vitory for us all.
God Bless America!!!
BBG - this is great! I'm never sure which side to stand on anyway. Too bad we can junk the whole political system and all work as one party (we could call it the American Party and if you are American - you can come to the party!)
Green card will be accepted!
Yes, this is a time to celebrate putting a stake in the heart of our enemy. However, we live a time where the ideological divide and political infighting is more stark than at any period that I have seen within my lifetime. There are too many issues of contention for either side to be willing to come smoke peace pipe anytime soon. For this brief moment, let us have a truce to bask in this victory. Great Hub, thanks Barbergirl
@GNelson - Thank you for serving our country. Kudos to all those who serve and have served before... I am proud of you all and proud to be an American!
@Writerly Yours - Thank you so much for the comment. I was hesitant about writing this because I truly thought I was going to be attacked for telling people to stop with the attacks. I am glad that this made you feel much better after reading all the negative. And honestly, your comment means a lot to me. I even had to read it outloud to my husband because it contained so much depth and meaning. Thank you for that. You made me realize how greatful I am that I actually pushed the publish now button.
@DearAbbysMom - And to that we shall lift up our glasses and toast! :)
@Marellen - sometimes I wonder if it is just too easy to fight and not get along. People can have their opinions- we fought for that option... but in a time when we should rejoice together... that is what we should do. I am really happy that I am not the only one that thinks these thoughts!
@RealHousewife - That is a great idea. I am neither Democratic or Republican - I am an American... And welcome to my party... ha ha ha!
@Credence2 - I agree - at this time lets have a truce and for just a moment - a little bit of quiet instead of all the political arguments! Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
Very good BBG!
I love your parties! I'll grab my booty and flip flops and meet you on the roof! Lol!
Excellent points BBG! Hopefully you have captured the feelings of MANY Americans!
@Realhousewife - ha ha - we no longer have to meet on the roof - my flip flops blew off. Now I have another reason to party... lol
@Sharyn's slant - Thank you. We all need to capture the feeling of just being American!
I'm glad you hit the publish button! One thing you barely touched on, that touches me the most, is during this past 10 years, all the lives that have been lost and/or damaged. Those unsung hero's. Of course we are grateful people are getting closure to the deaths of their loved ones, but just as they are, so are the loved ones of those unsung hero's.
But I wish, somehow they could be honored in a special way, so that they are not forgotten that they died for our country. For American's. For the ones whose lives were lost, they gave theirs. Party affiliation means nothing in the fact that they put their lives before everything to stand for our country's people. Thank you for this hub, because while the cannot all be named, just the mention of them, honors them. V-up & proud of you, that you too stood up for our country's people and thank you as well.
I vote up and awesome what Kat said!
@Katherella - What you said. You put it beautifully. I wish there were more ways we could honor those who fought for our country and haven't made the trip home. All to often their memory is faded and only those who were family are in constant sorrow. I know several who have died in battle, and I have known several who made it home. They suffer from the sights they see. It is very sad. I, however, got to watch from the sidelines. I never got deployed. I was one of the lucky ones. I supported from the home lines. Thanks for the vote up! :)
@Realhousewife - I agree - Katherella said it beautifully! Thanks for the vote up! I got warnings that this hub was way over publicized and might be bad or get no hits. I am glad it has touched a lot of people!
That is so crazy! Now how in the world did they warn you? Say what?
It must have been an algorithm response or something.
I think it is a newer part of Hubpages. That way you aren't publishing anything that might in the future be removed or be bad for hubpages. If it is considered overpromotional, it more or less lets you know it better be good content. If I am thinking correctly, they let you know somewhere either on the top or the side. At least they warn you! LOL
Ooohhh that thing - I noticed it while typing my last hub. I was cursing at it. I hope it heard me!
Sadly, it probably heard you about as much as a husband watching sports on TV... lol
Thanks. Oh and CONGRATS ON YOUR 100TH HUB!! :)
Isn't that the truth! You mean when they go in "the trance?" yeah when football season starts - I just make sure I stop in the living room like every. Four hours to "turn" Dave. I don't want to be dressing bed sores!
@Katherella - Thanks - I might have to let it sit and soak in the bittersweet of it for awhile... or I will publish one right away. Who knows :) HOw exciting though - 100 - never imagined that when I first started! LOL
@RealHousewife - I knew I was missing something... didn't realy think of flipping husbands for bed sores. I should have checked that! ha ha
BBG - I have 10 years on you...! You should get some salve just in case!
Really though - it took me a while not to resent all the time he sent invested in sports. Then I realized I should be happy - at least it was my couch he was laying on;)
Ewwww.... I ain't gonna lie - that gave me the shudders. I always joke that I want to be the first one to go... that way he can change my depends... lol
I can't really complain... after working in a Barbershop, we got pretty involved in the sports. Now - I watch the sports with him. Luckily, he really only watches football, so it isn't an all day event. Video games is his evil. Now those... that might be the one to give him bed sores.. lol
Me too! I even play fantasy football now! I love it. I am not allowed to play during the regular season (only because I am a girl!) but they do allow me to have a team for the playoff's. Dave's brother runs the league. You should play on it this year! It's the last four weeks and we do it by Internet. It's 25 to play but the payout for 1st place was $1500!
Dave plays a lot of video too but I have friends who have husbands that are addicted to Thirsty Thursdays." THAT would be a problem!
Very nicely written article barbergirl! That is one of the first things needed indeed. We all are together type sentiments. I am not an American. But I visit here often -USA is almost like second home for me. Still I also feel sad at this useless kind of fight and direction towards which some people are trying to pull this country. I have seen in India how things get destroyed and become directionless when people indulged in this kind of "I am better than you and more responsible that you type attitudes" and mud throwing at others just becomes whole time occupation.
At the same time I still feel quite optimistic that people in USA will put it in right direction (I am equally optimistic for India also). There are still a lot of interesting things to be done and contributions to them from USA will play an important role.
@RealHousewife - we will see... I watch but I have no clue what I am doing... ha ha... I would just be donating my money! All though, the only time I did bet on sports was when the Packers went to Superbowl last year... 5 bucks in, I won all quarters but one and to make it even better - The Pack won superbowl. Yep - thats my team. Granted I only one $36 but short victory steps... lol
@sousmayasrajan - you have such a positive outlook. I am horribly against racisim and think that people are just people. It is amazing how easily it is to judge another person based off of the country they were born in, their skin color and the standing in society. It really isn't necessary. I hope we can all start working together. Once we let our guard down it is awesome what you can learn from a person completely different from yourself. Thanks for the beautiful comment!
The first year I played - I chose my "fantasy" team the way any girl would. The quarter back with the cutesy butt? Yep - my quarter back! I chose all of my players based on how they looked. If they had a nice smile perhaps.......I was in 1st place after week 1! All the guys were so pissed! They studied for that:) LOL! I did learn along the way so now I play more seriously. I won the survivor league 2 years ago! Sweet! That's why I'm no longer allowed to play with the boys during reg. season, I was told that the boys don't like to get beat by the girls! He's a big baby!
Ha ha - I once did the basketball betting for sweet sixteen. I choose the teams that I remember hearing around. I was out the first round. Who would have thought they only talk about the bad teams... lol! Even the girls looked at my choices and laughed. Never claimed to know - just like to sit back and enjoy :)
I have a lot of fun with it and really enjoy messing with the guys! As always:) haha!
It's the new sport - messing with guys...lol... I can take part! LOL
So much entertainment! Keeps them guessing! If you can't beat 'em join them and then beat them! Haha!
I agree - we definately have to beat them... lol... I am just too darn competitive! LOL
Your point is well taken...this is not and never has been a competition. It has been a military objective which has been sustained over the changing of administrations. Only those who saw the service and in some cases gave their very lives in following this monster through the wastelands of Afghanistan deserve any real credit for his demise. They have made sacrifices and endured hardship and fears most of us will never know. Ultimately all that culminated in that moment that Bin Laden made his choice prompting a Navy Seal to make one as well. We should celebrate that accomplishment by our military men and women as a nation without bias or political leaning. We should celebrate a job well done. Those who would step forward to grab the glory and take the credit, well, I guess their true colors are apparent. Thanks for a good write! WB
@Wayne - Very well said. I agree with you 110%. This shouldn't be an argument over who should get credit. It should be something that we all celebrate. It is an American accomplishment. You said it right when true colors are starting to show through.
I really don't think too much celebration is in order. This is really just a symbolic victory. Unlike the mafia, you can't just jail the don and a few key players, and the organization falls apart. Al Quada operates in semi-independent cells. Taking out even alot of heads still leaves the tail intact. Removing bin Laden does not remove the risk.
@Stu - I do agree. I was talking to my husband about it and I compared it to a video game. When you get rid of one boss, you know the next one will be much harder and much worse. I hope that isn't the case, but realistically, there will be someone who will step up and take his place.
I really think as Americans we should stand together. We all have our different political beliefs and such, but there comes a time when expressing these all the time just because exhausting. I get tired of doing that, and have pretty much stopped.
I agree 100% - political arguments are draining and no body ever wins. In a political argument not one side can convince the other to move over. It is just a waste of time. I would much rather stand together as American's and forget political views for awhile!
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junko Level 5 Commenter 12 months ago
Barbergirl, Your observation and evaluation of America's political malfunction is on point. Maybe you should consider a monthly or quarterly political opinion. vote up