Global Events

Osama bin Laden was killed today by the U.S. military. Technically, May 1 in the states, but it was May 2 when news broke here in India.

While part of me wants to be happy that the mastermind behind the horrible 9/11 attacks has been killed. The reality that there is someone waiting to take his spot and run with the torch hasn't allowed me any time to relish in the significance of this event. well, it's given me ample thought about the significance of this event, but the thoughts have been far from positive.

I wish I could join my fellow Americans in rejoicing over his death. But the reality of it is this is just more fuel to their fire. Granted, there's nothing we could do, short of all us evil westerners dying, that would ever make an extreme group like this happy. But I read an article in one of the Indian papers the other day that said if Osama was ever captured or killed they would retaliate against Europe and America; and I believe they will. This also leads me to believe they knew the possibility of this was becoming a reality. And even scarier, it means they've had time to think and plan!

We fool ourselves into thinking we are secure; we live in our safe little bubbles. But if a group of people sick enough to kill themselves in an effort to kill others (suicide bombing!) wants to do something to us, they WILL find a way. It doesn't help us, that our news sources like to broadcast the most recent weaknesses in different infrastructures and security points. Let's just hand them an instruction manual on how to penetrate our country and the most unguarded, effective ways to kill large quantities of people. I myself can think of ways to cause significant damage, and i'm not nearly as devious, experienced or as sick as the people in this organization.

It's a new and slightly scary thought for me; to realize that I'm safer traveling abroad where I am, than if I was at home. I was talking to my mom and asking her to make sure she's available via cell phone and actually answers it, especially in the case of some sort of tragedy striking America and to be safe. She in turn told me to be safe while I traveled. I told her I'm in India, Sri Lanka and Africa over the course of the next few months. I don't have anything to worry about! These are the last places they are going to try to attack, it would be pointless for them.

I will continue to be safe, to follow my gut and to exercise caution as I always do. I hope that my friends in America will start and/or continue to do the same. The world is changing. We don't live in an untouchable bubble any longer and we need to start recognizing that.

By the way, going forward, i'm from Canada... eh!