– By Schon Beechler
“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.”
~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Osama bin Laden was killed this week after a decade-long man-hunt for the “world’s most wanted terrorist.” Splashed across the television screen, newspapers, Facebook and Twitter, the news has been greeted with both joy and relief, as well as fear. The terrorism alert level is at an all time high because many, like myself, are relieved that bin Laden is dead but are also fearful of what this assignation may unleash. Beyond that, however, I am deeply troubled by the U.S. government’s “act of leadership.”
As I read and listen to the news accounts and people’s reactions and analyses, I can’t help but wonder about questions of justice, compassion, forgiveness, the sanctity of human life, and the meaning of positive leadership. Over and over again, I keep asking myself the following question:
Looking through a positive leadership lens, did the U.S. government do the right thing by orchestrating and carrying out the assassination of Osama bin Laden?
What do you think?
