Sorts of Sports

A Party In The USA, for Most of Us

If you needed proof that social media has taken over mainstream news, last night was just that. Possibly the most transcendent news of the past five years was broken by Twitter, a word none of us knew back in 2006. Given that Facebook was still primarily a place to post drunk pictures that you hoped your parents would never see in 2006, I certainly didn't think I'd learn of Osama bin Laden's death from a person I hadn't spoken to in nearly eight years.

The media haelstorm continued throughout the night as people jockeyed to see who could generate the most “Likes.” Because of this narcissistic rat race, statuses were broken down into three categories:

Pure unadulterated joy and adulation for America
Witty Comments
Raining on the Parade with Cynicism

The first group consisted of approximately 85 percent of users. This crop simply wanted to bask in the glory of taking down America's most nefarious terrorist in recent memory. Absolutely nothing wrong with this. Many people, especially in the NY/NJ area vividly remember the attacks on 9/11, the paralyzing fear and possibly losing a loved one. Our generation's Pearl Harbor still felt unresolved, believe it or not. There was always a lingering sense that retribution wasn't finished, and our presence in the Middle East was still justified. There was an overwhelming sense of victory.

In Philadelphia, Sunday's MLB slate was finishing up with a clash between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Other than being in New York, this was the perfect setting for this news to spread. The same town that booed Michael Irvin as he laid lifeless on the field, chanted “U-S-A, U-S-A” and, for a night, forgot about its hatred for all things New York. iPhones, Blackberries and Droids helped the news spread like wildfire across Citizen's Bank Ballpark. The Phillies could have lost 10-0, and the fans would have been cheering.

Of course, the witty comments added some much needed laughter: “It's pretty awkward in my cab right now.” “Osama finds out there aren't 72 virgins waiting for him” “Obama to announce that U.S. captured and killed Bin Laden after his address showed up on Yanks’ season ticket holder list.” The beauty of social media was on display.

However, the most concerning section of America was the small percentage that insisted on raining on our parade. Everyone had a few of them. Whether they were conspiracy theorists (re: bin Laden was already dead and this was Obama's 'ace-in-the-hole') or bitter from 10 years of war in the Middle East, their opinions were met with disgust.

Just as many people lost a loved one on 9/11, many more have lost someone over the past decade in America's anti-terrorism effort. There is no denying that the U.S. budget deficit is mostly due to military funds spent in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. An event such as 9/11 certainly gave us reason to take all necessary measures to disband Al-Qaeda.

But, how these cynics conveniently forget. America has always had a military presence in the Middle East. We were fighting against the tyrant Saddam Hussein for decades, and searching for Al-Qaeda leaders in the same process. The Bush Presidents always had oil in their hearts. So stop kidding yourself that we spent “trillions” and lost “thousands” in the hunt to find bid Laden.

Yes, he is only one man. But his network is decimated and now its leader is dead.

It is understandable to be angry and resentful if you had a friend or family member die in the Middle East. The same “they died for nothing” feeling resonated with the thousands lost in Vietnam. America is and always will be an imperialistic nation. It's the reason we have nice things in 2011. Our ideals didn't create this great country. It was imperialism.

The truth is: every American soldier in the Middle East chose to be there. There is no draft. Anyone who signs up with Uncle Sam is fully aware of the consequences. Is it a shame? Of course. Be proud of your fallen friends, don't turn them into martyrs for your soap box.

If you couldn't feel a sense of pride last night, get a passport, and leave.