AZspot: Death Begets Death
From AZSpot:
Was justice served when the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and killed a quarter of a million civilians?
These articles accurately represent my thoughts on the bin Laden killing.
I realize I am in a minority, for failing to subscribe to this myth of redemptive violence.
The myth of redemptive violence is, in short, nationalism become absolute. This myth speaks for God; it does not listen for God to speak. It invokes the sovereignty of God as its own; it does not entertain the prophetic possibility of radical judgment by God. It misappropriates the language, symbols, and scriptures of Christianity. It does not seek God in order to change; it embraces God in order to prevent change. Its God is not the impartial ruler of all nations but a tribal god worshiped as an idol. Its metaphor is not the journey but the fortress. Its symbol is not the cross but the cross hairs of a gun. Its offer is not forgiveness but victory. Its good news is not the unconditional love of enemies but their final elimination. Its salvation not a new heart but a successful foreign policy. It usurps the revelation of God’s purposes for humanity in Jesus. It is blasphemous.
It is idolatrous. And it is immensely popular.
Chris Hedges, as recommended by AZspot, has among the most insightful takes on Osama bin Laden’s death. But to add to the articles recommended by AZspot, I’d suggest Gregg Carlstrom’s article on Al Jazeera, which states a bit more explicitly why bin Laden’s death might not impact Al-Qaeda as much as we think.
Indeed, a series of younger leaders - some of them now deceased - emerged to play leading roles in the group over the past few years, broadening its leadership. They include Abu al-Yazid; Abu Yahya al-Libi; and Atiyah abd al-Rahman.
If bin Laden is only a figurehead, then one could argue that he has already served his purpose: His ideology and strategy has permeated throughout al-Qaeda, both the central organisation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its affiliate groups elsewhere.
Yes we got revenge and yes President Barack Obama probably deserves some military credit politically. But the assumption repeated by many in response to this event is as much the result of antiquated views on leadership - a singular autocratic leader - as a complete misunderstanding of the “a global and post-modern creature or phenomenon” that mutated as much in response to U.S. intervention in the Middle East as anything else.
Taking out bin Laden will may bring little long-term benefit to the U.S. and, worse, it does not justify the countless military and civilian lives lost (and thrown into chaos) as a result.
As Hedges rightly pointed out that “the collective humiliation that we have imposed on the Muslim world” only engendered more acts of violence, the humiliating reaction from U.S. citizens seemingly ignorant of what has actually occurred over the last decade will probably do little to decrease further violence.
(Source: abbyjean)
