I just came back from dinner with friends and read this comment from Gem, who has been commenting on my blog since years.

I really celebrate people who think and react with compassion and intelligence. I wish the world would have many clones of Gem and others who comment regularly on my blog. I cherish each of you. Thank you for being YOU.

Here is the reply from Gem about my previous post (about Bin Laden’s death on the news):

Ines,

I could not agree with you more. As I watched Americans screaming and jumping up and down with joy in front of the White House and Ground Zero, I felt a deep sense of sorrow. The scene I saw was as if they were celebrating after a victory at an international sporting event, chanting ‘USA’ ‘USA’.

I am not saying Bin Laden did not deserve his death. Good riddance? Certainly. However, regardless of what he symbolizes, I do not think it is right to rejoice in the death of another human being in that manner.

The actions of the Americans will surely trigger more anger and hatred among other anti-American groups. And that would only bring more tragedy to innocent people around the world. We criticize those fanatics who burn the American flag and who laugh at the misfortunes of the U.S. In that vein, I wish the Americans had shown a different reaction from what we saw today to differentiate themselves from such extreme fanatics.

I would have preferred to witness Americans gathering with candles to honor those who passed away on 9/11 and to wish the families who lost their loved ones a sense of closure. We are all helpless, small beings in this world. There is no need to celebrate the death of another human being and contribute to the viscous cycle of hate repeating itself. We often speak of the ‘war’ against terrorism.

In my humble opinion, despite what history books teach us, there are no true winners in war. We all lose as a human race.

Gem