Johann Hari: The real meaning of Bin Laden's death

From the Independent (Web Edition, Friday, 6 May 2011)

As soon as the news of Bin Laden's death broke, I went to Times Square here in New York, and witnessed a scene that hinted at these complexities. A 28-year-old man was darting through the cheering crowds and the weeping fire-fighters selling the Stars and Stripes for $25 each. He was an Afghan refugee named Awal. He told me, in fractured English, that he had left "because of the war", which was "very bad", but he loved America "because here you are free." A drunk guy who was standing nearby overheard us and yelled with a smirk [a smile expressing contempt]: "I'm a marine. I probably killed your cousin!" A few people sniggered [laughed disrespectfully]; more scowled [frowned with displeasure]. Later, some of the crowd began to chant about the troops: "Bring them home! Bring them home!" ....  [read more]

Zafer sarhoşluğu içinde Beyaz Sarayın önünde toplanan milliyetçi Amerikalı'ların bayrak satmaya çalışan bir Afgan mültecisini oracıkta linç etmemiş olmalarına açıkçası çok şaşırdım. Daha da ötesi oradaki bir askerin Afganı aşağılamasını, hiç olmazsa, kabul etmemiş olmaları daha da ilginç. Bu neyi gösterir tam olarak bilmiyorum ama ben bu olgunluğa imrendim.