A Senior Moment
John Bacon

Who are the winners? Who are the losers? Two now middle aged men, born into wealth, well-schooled (if not well-educated), both possessing great faith, the one the follower of Mohammed, the other born again as a follower of Jesus, occupy the roles of combatants. Who started the battle has an obvious answer but the origins are deeply rooted in the past. Both men had wide spread support that has been eroded through their actions. Neither is as respected on the international stage as he was three years ago.

How is success measured? By the results of the one in eluding the greatest search effort ever launched, all the while carrying the greatest reward on his head ever? Or is it measured by the success of the mighty Army in disrupting the other’s organiza tion? Perhaps there are other yard-sticks: the success or lack thereof in terrorizing civilians; the cost to the other to offset the future actions of the antagonist (here there is no contest as the one has infinitely more than the other to lose); the effort to inflict lasting economic damage to countries or citizens; and finally, the body count.

We don’t hear very much from the one, other than occasional threats on the internet. The other accepted responsibility for thirty thousand Iraqis killed (give or take a few) but made no reference to the number of wounded or households disrupted. He did note that the number of US troops killed exceeded 2,000. Hello . . .

Neither of two foes killed anyone up close and personal, but both, as a result of their, actions brought unnecessary death and destruction to people who did not deserve to die or to endure the lasting emotional and economic consequences of the loss of a loved one.

If financial loss is the measure, the other guy won. If the number killed is the determining factor, well, simply look at the facts: bin Laden, 4,000 – Bush, 32,000. We won! Or did we?

And why is either deserving of my respect? Just wondering.