Michael Paul
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 2, 2010
- 403
- 319
OPINION
AN OPEN LETTER TO BROTHER OBAMA OVER OSAMA KILLING
Dear Barack, I know you're wallowing in a deluge of congratulations and condemnations following the killing of Osama bin Laden. In the heat of such a moment, the line between reason and emotion gets blurred, as those who adore you sing your praises unreservedly while those who abhor you see another blunder in the man who defied odds to become the leader of the only superpower.
I write neither to blame nor praise you, brother Barack. I write to tell you issues that no one else can unless he is one of your own. As you celebrate what your three predecessors failed to achieve, let not the joy of success mask various facts.
Barack, as you made giant strides in winning the war against terrorism, you equally made giant strides in losing the safeguard of justice. America has often prided itself as the epitome of justice. Evil as Osama may have been or painted - and now the world will never know the truth - it was a travesty of justice to execute him without trial. His execution was a classic case of extrajudicial killing, which your holier-than-thou nation condemns when committed elsewhere.
From the official account, your boys - as we call them in your father's land - did not come under fire and had the ability to capture Osama alive. Their only danger was when Osama's wife charged at them and she was promptly shot. The much-touted 40 minutes of fire fight is fodder that Hollywood will exploit to mislead the world and further create a macho America.
In short, brother, America failed the test of standing for justice no matter the circumstance or individual involved. It provided a brand of justice where one is the complainant, the prosecutor, the judge, the jury, the executor and even (special) undertaker.
Anyway, the damage has already been done, so let's focus on a pressing issue.
It is widely believed that Osama has been an evil man. Even when he was never actively involved in terrorism activities, he applauded the shedding of innocent human blood. Americans have been eager to see him dead since the 9/11 mayhem. It is surprising that you have decided not to show to the world his bloodied and brain stained face. The explanation that the images are gruesome is nonsensical. In fact the more gruesome the images, the more those who have lived under the fear of terrorism will sigh with collective relief. I've been following the debate and some Americans have wondered what is more gruesome than watching terrified individuals leap to their deaths as the World Trade Centre burned.
They have wondered if watching Osama's shattered skull is more gruesome than watching passenger jets being smashed onto the twin towers. One individual remarked that Americans have been accustomed to the image of iconic John F Kennedy's head being shattered with a bullet and brains splattering all over. The US media have had no qualms showing images of vultures feeding on drought and war victims in Africa. When Osama hit Nairobi, didn't gruesome pictures of victims circulate around the world?
Not so long ago in the land of your forefathers, victorious warriors often returned from the battleground carrying the heads or loins of conquered commanders as proof of their bravery. When you come to Kogelo, we will demand you display Osama's head at the marketplace.
A mere picture of dead Osama cannot inflame more passion than the one he inflamed while alive. Please brother, don't expose your underbelly as the world celebrates your purported valour.
Osama's death will be a campaign issue when you seek re-election. When you will claim you killed him, Americans will demand evidence. They will even demand his death certificate, the way they have pushed you into displaying your birth certificate to prove your birthplace.
One last word. You refused to bury Osama because you feared his little grave could have became a shrine. Now you have unwittingly made the vast Arabian Sea his shrine. My regards to in-law Michelle.
By Otuma Ongalo, The Standard
AN OPEN LETTER TO BROTHER OBAMA OVER OSAMA KILLING
Dear Barack, I know you're wallowing in a deluge of congratulations and condemnations following the killing of Osama bin Laden. In the heat of such a moment, the line between reason and emotion gets blurred, as those who adore you sing your praises unreservedly while those who abhor you see another blunder in the man who defied odds to become the leader of the only superpower.
I write neither to blame nor praise you, brother Barack. I write to tell you issues that no one else can unless he is one of your own. As you celebrate what your three predecessors failed to achieve, let not the joy of success mask various facts.
Barack, as you made giant strides in winning the war against terrorism, you equally made giant strides in losing the safeguard of justice. America has often prided itself as the epitome of justice. Evil as Osama may have been or painted - and now the world will never know the truth - it was a travesty of justice to execute him without trial. His execution was a classic case of extrajudicial killing, which your holier-than-thou nation condemns when committed elsewhere.
From the official account, your boys - as we call them in your father's land - did not come under fire and had the ability to capture Osama alive. Their only danger was when Osama's wife charged at them and she was promptly shot. The much-touted 40 minutes of fire fight is fodder that Hollywood will exploit to mislead the world and further create a macho America.
In short, brother, America failed the test of standing for justice no matter the circumstance or individual involved. It provided a brand of justice where one is the complainant, the prosecutor, the judge, the jury, the executor and even (special) undertaker.
Anyway, the damage has already been done, so let's focus on a pressing issue.
It is widely believed that Osama has been an evil man. Even when he was never actively involved in terrorism activities, he applauded the shedding of innocent human blood. Americans have been eager to see him dead since the 9/11 mayhem. It is surprising that you have decided not to show to the world his bloodied and brain stained face. The explanation that the images are gruesome is nonsensical. In fact the more gruesome the images, the more those who have lived under the fear of terrorism will sigh with collective relief. I've been following the debate and some Americans have wondered what is more gruesome than watching terrified individuals leap to their deaths as the World Trade Centre burned.
They have wondered if watching Osama's shattered skull is more gruesome than watching passenger jets being smashed onto the twin towers. One individual remarked that Americans have been accustomed to the image of iconic John F Kennedy's head being shattered with a bullet and brains splattering all over. The US media have had no qualms showing images of vultures feeding on drought and war victims in Africa. When Osama hit Nairobi, didn't gruesome pictures of victims circulate around the world?
Not so long ago in the land of your forefathers, victorious warriors often returned from the battleground carrying the heads or loins of conquered commanders as proof of their bravery. When you come to Kogelo, we will demand you display Osama's head at the marketplace.
A mere picture of dead Osama cannot inflame more passion than the one he inflamed while alive. Please brother, don't expose your underbelly as the world celebrates your purported valour.
Osama's death will be a campaign issue when you seek re-election. When you will claim you killed him, Americans will demand evidence. They will even demand his death certificate, the way they have pushed you into displaying your birth certificate to prove your birthplace.
One last word. You refused to bury Osama because you feared his little grave could have became a shrine. Now you have unwittingly made the vast Arabian Sea his shrine. My regards to in-law Michelle.
By Otuma Ongalo, The Standard
