Celebrating the death of a man?

Sunday night, as I was getting ready to go to sleep, I heard the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed. A part of me was happy to hear that. As I read my twitter feed, I laughed at many of the jokes that if they were about someone else I would have been disgusted. I saw quotes (some of them falsely attributed) saying some people wouldn't wish someone dead, but enjoyed reading the obituary, and others saying that they would not celebrate the death of any person no matter how evil they were. I have seen things that were over the top, but for many I can not fault them for their initial reaction of elation. To many, it was like a burden was lifted off of their shoulders. As I hoped, the elation died down within 24 hours. Now the people that are still going crazy, still celebrating the death of bin Laden are going a bit over board. But, is anyone really celebrating the death of a man? After September 11th, Osama bin Laden became the face of terror. He was what we associated with the killing of civilians to prove a point. While our country is not innocent, I can understand how people may react in ways that they may find repulsive if in any other situation. When I was a kid, and I was in a lot of trouble, I would laugh. I didn't think it was funny, I was terrified. I also knew that if I wasn't able to control it, the situation would become a lot worse. I couldn't control myself though. We react in weird ways when we are stressed. Memories of where we were and how we felt that day almost 10 years ago returned. Thoughts of those who's lives were lost in the fight (weather we agreed with the cause or not), the loss of many of our freedoms (which is an issue that should be remedied weather bin Laden was alive or dead), how our whole world changed (and not always for the better). All of these emotions were associated with this person. He became more than a man, he became a symbol. As soon as we're reminded of everything, we are told that this man, who was responsible for much more death than just the September 11th attacks, was gone. I can understand how people reacted in ways that were so extreme. I respect those that were able to take a step back right away and realize that he was only a man, and that his death will not change much of anything. People that were also able to understand how they felt when they saw celebrations of people after the September 11th attacks (although, I don't think these should be compared. They were celebrating an attack of civilians, the bin Laden celebration was a murderer), and didn't want the world to see us in the same light. Now that I think of it, it is a lot like a murder trial. Sunday was like the guilty verdict after a very long trial. Do we question when we see a family that lost a loved one cries and hugs each other in celebration when they believe justice has been served? In general, I do not believe in the death penalty. I would always worry about putting an innocent person to death. There is also an opportunity for those who are guilty to reform. I'm an optimist for the most part. I give people I meet the benefit of the doubt (even though it has burned me at times). But, I also know that there are things people will not give up, things that will never change about a person. I believe that most people are good, well meaning people, but I also know that there are people that are evil. He has admired, and even taken pride in killing innocent people. Hopefully terrorism is becoming a thing of the past. This won't change because of bin Laden's death, but because people all over the world are starting to stand up for what they believe in. (I wish we did more of that here, but that's for another rant). I guess what I'm saying is a part of me feels bad for enjoying the death of a man, but I also understand why I feel this way. I am sorry for feeling happy about death, but I probably won't loose sleep :S