A Wasted Life

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" - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr

Shalom:
 On 10th March, 1957, in Riyadh Saudi Arabia,  Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born int a wealthy family, which had and still has close ties to the Saudi royal family.
There was much Bin Laden, as he would come to be called, could have done with his life.
Gone into and taken over his family busniesses. Gone to school and become a doctor, lawyer or even a religious leader or teacher of his faith. With his money, Bin Laden could have have used his family's wealth and name to help his nation and/or the world's poor. The building of schools and hosptials, building busniesses that gave people jobs and better their lives.
Instead, Bin Laden's life was one that took, and not gave. He took lives; not only over 3,000 on 9-11, but fellow muslims. His extreme religious and political views did not remain his own point of veiw, but became the fuel that that flew planes into the Twin Towers and place a sword into the hand that put to death Daniel Pearl as well as others.t harm. He did nothing to make world a better place, but caused many tears.
 In 1994, the bin Laden family disowned Osama and the Saudi government revoked his passport. The Saudi government also stripped Osama bin Laden of his citizenship, for publicly speaking out against them, after they permitted U.S. troops to be based in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the 1991 Gulf War.

All of my muslim friends say they were glad Bin Laden was gone; that he brought nothing but shame to Islam. He brought dishonour to all they hold dear and do not mourn his death.
As one friend said: "he wasted the life G-d gave him."
Mark and I were up when the news came about his death.
Interesting, Bin Laden has been a part of our lives for these ten years. Part of our friendship, courtship, marriage. The reason my beloved has bee deployed four times. There isn't a miliarty household Bin Laden hasn't touch and we are all thankful he is no longer in our lives.
As a miliarty family, we are glad justice has been served. No, his death will not bring back his victims. All justice on this side of heaven is imperfect. Full and total judgement will come from G-d. And we are fully aware that though the warl-rd is gone, the war still goes on. But we are not dancing in the streets, cheering or passing out candy.
Bin Laden was pure evil and needed to go.
But Bin Laden is not an victim. He didn't go up poor and derived. He wasn't oppressed or depressed. He made choices that led to his dead body being dumped into the sea instead of being buriel with the honour given to those of his faith.
Yes, his followers and his young wife shall mourn him. But they few.
A wasted life, my friend said.
When I am called before the Throne of the Holy One, I hope to have lived a life where people will indeed cry and mourn and be sadden that I am no longer here. That I shall leave this world better than when I arrived and people will give thanks to G-d for my life and not uttering, "Thank You G-d, she's gone."