I don’t very often try to make a political statement. This is not one either. I’m ashamed of the way the media has portrayed America in the past 36 hours. I have turned the television off twice now because it makes me sick to my stomach to see the celebration that has been publicized.

While I felt a sense of relief that Osama bin Laden had been found and didn’t exactly shed a tear upon hearing of his death, I think that the party atmosphere that ensued was questionable at best and was crass and distasteful and did not necessarily give honor to those innocent Americans who died at the hands of al-Qaida terrorists.

A sense of some closure for some terrible acts, yes. A time for celebration, no.

This is not a Super Bowl win or an Olympic medal for the United States. It is celebrating a killing.

Martin Luther King Jr. said it so well: “I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Here is a commentary that also sums up my feelings: “The Ability to Kill Osama Bin Laden Does Not Make America Great.”

Here is the link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/05/02-11.

Kris Wilkie

Hollandale