It Took Obama to Hunt Down Osama

Behind us is that night of drunkenness, with chants of “USA, USA.” Also behind us is the marketing of revenge, with pictures of the Statue of Liberty cutting off the head of bin Laden. Still, vendors remain, like Keith Bryan, who is selling t-shirts for $15 that say “It took Obama to hunt down Osama,” but what you breathe in today at Ground Zero is a quiet desire to close the circle and turn the page.

In a brief, reflective piece, titled “the Psychology of Revenge,” giving Americans much to think about, Pamela Gerloff says, “… we cannot even begin to have peace until we stop the cycle of jubilation over acts of violence.”

At Ground Zero, Bill Steyert, a Vietnam veteran who calls himself a “grandfather for peace,” said, “My greatest wish is that this may serve to put an end to the war. Today is a beautiful day, and there are reasons to be happy, but when all the excitement is over, we have to put pressure on Obama, because the hour has come to bring home more than 100,000 soldiers who are in Afghanistan.”

In lower Manhattan, Hollywood Houghton, dressed as Uncle Sam, showed off her best smile. Without wanting to offend anyone, she said, “Obama’s visit is going to help heal the wounds of September 11. I give him all the credit, because he had the courage and determination to get bin Laden. Bush should be jealous, and this is why he declined the invitation. He had eight years to hunt him, and what did he do? He declared war on Iraq.”*

There were many African-Americans on the corner of Church Street, where the curious had congregated. Among them was Deanne McDonald from Harlem, who had spent four days at the corner chanting: “Obama got Osama. And this demonstrates that he has what he needs to be president. I never doubted him, but part of this country doesn’t accept him, because of racial prejudice. I hope this will now change.”*

The large police presence has deterred the t-shirt sellers, who were running around Broadway with their banners and “souvenirs,” but my friend, Keith Bryan, who came from Washington, had the ability to win over both the police and the people: black t-shirts with a picture of the deceased, and white ones with Obama talking into a walkie-talkie and declaring, “We have him!”

“I am not taking advantage of the tragedy,” said Keith apologetically. “Nor did I take advantage of Obama’s election. These t-shirts serve to immortalize historical moments, and, without a doubt, this is one of them. This is also a way of giving thanks to the president. I already have many ideas for his reelection in 2012.”*

*Translator’s Note: The complete title of Ms. Gerloff’s blog is “The Psychology of Revenge: Why We Should Stop Celebrating Osama bin Laden’s Death.” Efforts to verify the quotation have not been successful.