In the immediate moments after President Obama promulgated that our great military killed Osama Bin Laden, people across the nation started celebrating in the streets, at bars, through social media, and etc. The majority of the American people are proud that the American military killed Osama Bin Laden, according to the majority of scientific polls. Most scientific polls show that at least 85% of the American people agree with President Obama’s decision to kill Osama Bin Laden. Most Americans agree that Osama Bin Laden was an evil man who orchestrated the tragic and abhorrent attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001.
All Americans are not proud and in a celebratory mood about Osama Bin Laden being brought to justice, however. On Facebook and Twitter, I had an opportunity to witness some great disrespect for the brave men and women who serve in uniform. Although I do everything within my power to respond to attacks on our military, Americans have the freedom to attack those who service in uniform. The courageous men and women in uniform have fought and died for the right of all Americans to enjoy the freedom of speech, which is one of the bedrock principles of America.
One University of Wisconsin-Madison female law student argued on Facebook that people who celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden have “small minds.” The following is one comment that she made: “while it may be a ‘happy moment,’ it is hardly an occasion for public celebration. Small minds celebrate the death of Bin Laden, while greater minds can see beyond that. What saddens me is knowing that we have come to a point, as human beings, where we feel comfortable putting our humanity aside to celebrate a man’s death (even if our enemy). Too bad we’re not better than that…” She kept arguing that all people celebrating the death of Osama Bin Laden have small minds. This young woman is, therefore, calling me a “small mind” when she is not even qualified to tote water for me or hold my jockstrap. She would never directly address me because she knows she’s an intellectual lightweight and I’m an intellectual heavyweight.
On Facebook and Twitter, there were the usual people on there saying ridiculous stuff and attacking our troops, and they were contending that we should not be happy about this moment and should not be celebrating Osama Bin Laden’s death. On Twitter, I observed some people on the Left challenging how contradictory and wrong it is for Americans to be celebrating the death of Osama Bin Laden.
I would just like to say that people don’t have small minds just because they celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden. Many Americans lost family members and friends on September 11, 2011 because of what this evil man orchestrated. I guess some people will continue to think that the victims’ family and friends have small minds because they celebrate Bin Laden’s death.
Bin Laden was successful in disrupting and altering crucial aspects of the American way of life. We have lost numerous lives because of this man. He has had a tremendously negative impact on our economy. Americans have a right to feel angry with this man. A way for us to express our anger and to appreciate the successful mission of our troops is to celebrate the death of Osama Bin Laden. Osama Bin Laden’s death symbolizes much more than the death of a single man, but the death of the man responsible for beginning this War on Terrorism.
It’s too unfortunate that some skinny and long neck female law student at University of Wisconsin-Madison and others would think that people like me who celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s death have small minds. Those who have small minds are not open to opposing positions from the ones they hold. If you ever want to be successful, you are going to have to be willing to be open to engaging the viewpoints of others without trying to attack them for having viewpoints that differ from your own.
If passionately celebrating Osama Bin Laden’s death means I have a small mind, then I’m proud to have a small mind because the killing of this evil man is an outstanding achievement for America’s national security interests. I support our military and congratulate the men and women who serve in uniform for doing a stellar job of defending our nation and protecting our liberties.
Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Revolutionary Paideia 
“It’s too unfortunate that some skinny and long neck female law student at University of Wisconsin-Madison and others would think that people like me who celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s death have small minds.”
SHOTS HAVE BEEN FIRED!!
While I am happy that they got the sunovabitch I was very annoyed by the timeline in my Facebook as people’s ugly side got revealed beyond the norm. The devil’s advocate posturing for this man after his life of devastation was amazing. Many of them were of course “educated”, again a period of time when sharing company with intellectuals makes me feel dirty. I dropped a few people.
Great post, we should be supporting the boys who do the work that many of these “intellectuals” would cry about being drafted into. Oh how short memories we have.
Lmbo @ “SHOTS HAVE BEEN FIRED.” Yes, indeed, we should be supporting the men and women in uniform who protect us from the great dangers our nation faces. Yes, most of these intellectuals are only willing to sit up in their ivory towers and run their mouths. Thanks for reading and your response, Greg!
This is another example of how you can never please everyone. I wasn’t dancing in the street but I was glad he was killed. I find it very interesting the level of interest of the American people. I’m sure many more stories published and even more surveys coming out. I have seen people referred to those who did decide to partake in a celebration as “small minded.” Very interesting. Great read like always-
Thanks, Drew! Yes, we will never be able to please everyone. I appreciate you for reading and your response.
Greetings Maurice,
The following are: my observations, thoughts, questions, and hopefully not lightweight intellectualism (yet to be added in the Oxford dictionary)
“She would never directly address me because she knows she’s an intellectual lightweight and I’m an intellectual heavyweight”
Pause. I was astounded by this sentence, and as such decided to google the meaning of intellectual. Wikipedia, although not the most credible of sources described it succinctly as being a person who uses intelligence (thought and reason) and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.
While it is very clear that the skinny and long neck female’s assertions did not sit well with your viewpoint, my question to you is why would you deem her argument any less than yours? Granted her basic premise is “simple-mindedness” and I haven’t read her subsequent reasoning process on Facebook to share in your sentiments, what makes your viewpoint critically well reasoned than hers?
Minus the simple-mindedness factor, I AGREE with her especially on this note: while it may be a happy moment it is hardly an occasion for public celebration. My reasoning is based not on intellect, but rather on MY everyday life and opinion, so don’t try and fire skinny and long neck shots at me. I just do not get what the excitement and celebrations are about. Osama’s Al-Qaeida goons are still in operation mode, nonetheless. If anything, these goons are probably scheming ways of retaliating while the American public is still in celebratory mode. Probably my lack of understanding is cultural in nature.
You state that the killing of this evil man is an outstanding achievement for America’s national security interests. Hmmmm….true but the battle has only just begun. And might I add, the beginning of extreme SCRUTINY of Muslim folks coming into and in the country.
This may have brought closure to some and sealed the deal for others, but I think we should be cautious with how we choose to celebrate this man’s death. Can’t we just acknowledge his death without the additives and focus on amping up security intelligence in America, because they are watching, and that is my fear!
First, what makes my argument more well-reasoned than her argument is her argument is a fallacy: sweeping or hasty generalization. What’s the fallacy? She claims that “everyone” who is celebrating Osama’s death has a simple mind. I never attempt to make any claims about “everyone.” That’s how my argument is more critical and well-reasoned than her argument.
Second, Osama Bin Laden is the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on America and was declared the #1 Most Wanted Man in the War on Terrorism. We got him. He can no longer orchestrate massive terrorism. Yes, the War on Terrorism continues, but this is a major win for America because we got the man responsible for 9/11. It’s sends a clear message to all of those terrorists out there that we will hunt you down to the ends of the Earth and will bring you to justice.
Third, I still believe in America that we can walk and chem gum. Therefore, the American people can celebrate while our intelligence forces and national security officials gather and analyze the intelligence that we got from the raid on Bin Laden’s dwelling. The national security team is not taking their eyes off of the continued War on Terrorism. We always knew that the War on Terrorism is not limited to one man, but this man is the mastermind behind these terrorist attacks and he is dead. He was the spiritual leader of the terrorists and now he rots in the pits of Hell. America has to be a little more safer with a man like this being dead.
Thanks for reading and your response.
Well, alrighty then Mr. Maurice. You have shut me up on your heavyweight intellectualism, BUT we will never see eye to eye on this subject matter.
LOL! But that’s a good thing. In this way, we won’t be giving each other cyber high-fives all the time. Disagreement breeds good discussion. You brought good discussion to the article, which is very much needed. Your contribution is very much appreciated.
Woo wee that article was tough and so was that verbal assault on skinny neck. LOL I celebrate the fact that the victims families finally received closure. I wouldn’t initially dance in the street, nevertheless. The reason being because I too was in the military and it pained me to see our soldiers dead bodies being dragged in the street during that failed mission in Somali under Pres Clinton which also spanned the movie “Black Hawk Down”. The difference is I do not consider anyone who is celebrating to have a “small mind” because I understand the emotions behind his death, because he is in fact a symbol of terror. Good points made in the article as usual.
Thank you and thank for your service to our nation! It’s awesome to get the perspective of someone who has served in the military on this issue. My personal celebration of this moment is more about my great appreciation for the brave men and women who serve in uniform. This is such a huge accomplishment for them and I’m proud for them and for America. Thank you for reading and your insightful response.
If you believe that Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the 9/11 attacks on our country and way of life and you are a citizen of this country or a person who believes that evil is a presence that needs to be dealt with and eliminated, then I don’t see how you cannot celebrate the death of this man.
Osama was an embarrassment to his country, to Muslims, to organized religion, and to mankind. His own hate resulted in his death. I am proud that I voted for the leader who put an end to Osama’s tragedy of a life.
I will always remember where I was when I found out about 9/11 and I will always remember where I was when I found out he was dead.
My initials may be SM, but they don’t stand for “small mind”.
Good post,
SM
realestdudeintheroom.com
Outstanding response, Sean! I read your response three times because it so perfectly articulates how I feel. Just look at your response, there’s no way you have a small mind. I very much encourage people to check out your great site at realestdudeintheroom.com. I respect those who disagree with our view on this matter, but I don’t respect those who try to suggest that we have a small mind because of our view on this matter. I don’t understand why some people think people who don’t agree with them have a small mind. Thank you so much for reading and for your great response!
Hey, There might not be a need to celebrate anybody’s death but surely everybody wanted Osama to die.. just think about the innocent people who have lost their lives in the WTC attack.. So its okay i feel, you shouldn’t have to hide your feelings..
There’s certainly no need for anyone to hide his or her feelings. I agree. Thanks for reading and your response.