Opinion: I, an American Moderate, Refuse to Wish Death upon Trump, or Bin Laden

I am horrified. So many Americans are rejoicing online about the horrible news of our President’s diagnosis. Now, as a moderate, I have my disagreements with Mr. Trump, just as I did with Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. But I would never wish death upon any child of God, no matter how I feel about them.

Both these men have destroyed American lives. Yes, Mr. Trump’s actions killed many, many, many more than Osama Bin Laden, by a factor of 70. But they are still both human beings, both have children, both have multiple wives. Are they not still our brethren, no matter how wretched?

Even if their actions led to the needless deaths of thousands of Americans. Even if it often seems they are only motivated by vicious animus towards a peaceful America and the furthering of their own terrible ends, I cannot wish Donald Trump to die of COVID-19, nor did I wish Mr. Laden to die in a hail of SEAL bullets.

Imagine, if you can, the completely ossified human spirit one would need to cheer on the death of a lost soul, to throw parties over the loss of precious life. We would never, as Americans, accept such a disgrace. Although, I understand the hatred for a man who has done more economic and human damage to America than World War I and the ’08 Crash combined. Yes, and Mr. Laden, too, is a terrible murderer.

I hope we can find it in our hearts to wish peace on our wayward countrymen, and the grace of Allah on our enemies. Otherwise, what’s next? Celebrating all the German life lost on D-Day?

 

-OK ’21