Death Of bin Laden

I am sure glad I stayed up to watch the Mets-Phillies game last night because that’s how I learned about the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden. In the top of the 9th inning of what was at that time a 1-1 game fans at Citizens Bank Park began chanting “USA! USA!” as they got the news through their hand-held devices. What was funny was seeing the expression on the faces of the players, who had no idea what was going on or why the crowd was chanting. Of course the announcers had already broken the news and it led me to switching channels and eventually watching President Obama’s national address at 11:30pm before going back to the baseball game that the Mets finally won after 14 innings and nearly five hours.

I do admit to being a bit perplexed over the “celebration” of Bin Laden’s death. Watching people in the streets in New York and Washington DC it almost reminded me of what it was like when the US beat Russia in Ice Hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics. I think part of it might be that we had almost given up on finding the mass murderer, nearly ten years after he orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.
Of course what is now of concern to most is what the repercussions might be from the death of the world’s most wanted man and will it spark another wave of terrorism from those seeking revenge.

The high school baseball teams from Central and Lacey will play tonight at Leiter Field in Bayville and those attending can help a family in Alabama that was a victim of last week’s deadly tornadoes. The Berkeley Little League is hosting the game on “Random Act of Kindness” Night where spectators can donate money and purchase 50/50’s to help Sheryl & Mark Meadows who lost their home and suffered fairly serious injuries when tornadoes swept through Alabama last week. The house was ripped from the foundation and tossed about 80 feet and I’ve seen pictures which make the fact they survived seem like a miracle. The league has been collecting funds all weekend long at their Moorage Complex which will culminate tonight when the Golden Eagles host the Lions. Berkeley Little League President Bob Everett became away of the Meadows’ plight through a relative who works at Auburn University and knows the family. Tonight’s game starts at 6:30pm.