Bin Laden's death: good news that could have waited

Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 03:39 PM

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Read more: A tribute to those Irish Americans we lost on 9/11

Read more: Bin Laden death brings justice to still grieving Irish families

When I answered the phone I was expecting the worst, something seriously wrong with someone in my family or my wife's. I let the phone ring once more to try to ensure I was as awake as possible to hear what was being said.

"Hey, how ya doin? It's ..." I recognized the voice and I knew the name - a friend of mine from college. I shook my head and turned and looked at the clock again: 4:10. That's 4:10 AM.

"I'm fine. You do realize it's 4 o'clock in the morning, right?" I can't remember if he said that he'd forgotten about the time difference or not. I don't think he really cared. He was so excited he just had to call to tell me, "Osama bin Laden is dead."

Obviously, that's good news, but I don't think I conveyed that to my friend. There's no doubt I wasn't as excited as he was and the phone call finished up after two minutes.

As I hung up the phone, I became aware that not only was my wife awake, but so were the children. I told my wife who was on the phone and what he had to say. It was pitch black, but I didn't need to see her face to know how she was looking at me.

After reassuring the children that all was well, we settled down to resume our sleep. For me, however, sleep was elusive. At 5:00 I gave up, figuring the alarm would be going off in under an hour anyway.

I put the television and computer on and started to feel it, the satisfaction that Osama had been killed by American forces and didn't die in his sleep as an old man. It is really good news, although I'd have been more excited if it had come in May 2002.

At around 5:30 I started to feel bad. I still wasn't feeling as excited or as joyous as those gathered outside the White House or in New York, but then again I noticed that most of those appeared to be college students who would think nothing of blowing off a class or two to make up for lost sleep. Still I was wondering if I should have been chirpier when my friend called to convey the news.

Then another fact dawned on me: today is a national holiday in Ireland. I didn't need to get up at 6:00 after all. The rest of the family won't be waking for hours.

Grrr. Bin Laden's death is good news, but it's good news that could have waited. Bad news can't wait, but good news can be patient. It would have felt just as good at 8am as it did at 4.

Read more: A tribute to those Irish Americans we lost on 9/11

Read more: Bin Laden death brings justice to still grieving Irish families

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haikued2 | May 03, 2011, 01:37 PM EDT

Gee, it is so sad that you and your wife were awakened at 4 am for such run of the mill news...I mean if it was who won American Idol, it might have been worth it.

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alioops | May 02, 2011, 06:38 PM EDT

Where are you? In Ireland? We got the news on the U.S. East Coast at 10:45pm (it cut into the regular programming) but Obama didn't speak for another hour or more. They could have at least waited until 11:00pm and not missed regular programming.

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McNamara31 | May 02, 2011, 06:34 PM EDT

The man who sent 3000 innocent Americans to a fiery death is finally found and dealt with and you write a piece about how you were woken up? Beyond belief!

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seanomelbourne | May 02, 2011, 06:20 PM EDT

Go On Ed Repeat after me "Job well done Mr President" or are just to mean spirited to be gracious.The Obama slayers just cannot say thank you.

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borefield | May 02, 2011, 03:31 PM EDT

I just keep wondering where oh where does Irish Central find such loosers to comment and write for them. From Niall on down you are all so pathetic.

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nicgearailt | May 02, 2011, 03:22 PM EDT

Excuse me ..did you get paid for writing this ....you should be ashamed...this is feeble...you are dragging the whole website downward...get it !!!!

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Ajreaper | May 02, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT

You are 100% correct- nothing changes if one gets the news a couple of hours later but I think some people like to be the "1st" one to tell another of news like this. At least it was not some terrible news about a friend or family member but after the relieve of learning that it's time to hang up and get back to sleep.

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Deidra47 | May 02, 2011, 12:44 PM EDT

Get over yourself.

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antoman | May 02, 2011, 10:08 AM EDT

I'd comment but the ice cream van has entered my park playing that dreadful fairground music and I can't hear what I'm typing.

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seagreen | May 02, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

Oh poor dear! perhaps after some milk and cookies you can tuck yourself back into bed

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bogsidebunny | May 02, 2011, 08:47 AM EDT

How appropriate: bin Laden killed on "May Day"!.......actually any day is a good day when a monster is slain.......I'm celebrating, big time. Wine, food, fireworks and listening to "The Star Spangled Banner" while I picture Bin Laden's head exploding in a pink mist!

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citizen69 | May 02, 2011, 07:25 AM EDT

Good comment. Thanks may be given that this man has finally received what he deserved... but it is not a time for celebration. It is not like the death of Hitler where the supreme commander has been killed and the war now soon to be over. This will change little for the better. This attack came 10 years too late. Far too many innocent people have died in the last decade to gloat now. On a lighter note, enjoy your May Day!

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