"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." -Mark Twain

Should we celebrate the death of one man, even if that man is a sworn enemy? I do not pose this question to protest was has taken place or even to show remorse for Osama bin Laden. Instead, I beg the question so that perhaps people can understand why his death is important, especially for those who are not Americans and may see our actions and even celebrations today as cavalier or cold-hearted.

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I am conflicted. On the one hand I am overjoyed with the news that this man has been killed. On the other, I am confronted by what the Bible says about turning the other cheek. Or in Proverbs when it says, "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice." (Proverbs 24:17)

As I spoke with a French co-worker of mine this morning, I could sense they were uncomfortable and maybe even put off by the exuberance we displayed at the news of bin Laden's death. How could we be so happy that we had just killed someone? The more I think about this the more I am convicted, because it's not right. To be joyful at the sight of someone dying, no matter who they are, is wrong. However, I believe this goes way beyond that. This isn't just the killing of an ordinary man, bin Laden was no ordinary man.

He was directly responsible for the initial attack on the World Trade Center in 1993 killing six people. in 1996, He orchestrated an attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia which killed 19 American soldiers. August 1998, he planned the attacks on two American Embassies in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam Tanzania, in which 213 and 11 people were killed respectively. Over 4,000 people were also wounded in that attack in Kenya. 17 American sailors were killed in 2000 when Al Qaeda bombed the USS Cole.

And then, of course, there are the attacks of September 11, 2001. All in all, 3,000 people died that day.

I say all of this not to insinuate that bin Laden was a bad guy, that is understood. To Americans, he was the personification of evil. This wasn't just somebody who did bad things or broke some laws, he was somebody who actively sought to attack and kill American citizens. He was even quoted as saying that the goal of Al Qaeda was to "“kill Americans wherever they are found.”

While in Paris, I have met a lot students who have experienced some pretty horrific things. They've come from countries like Palestine, Sierra Leone, Congo, Bosnia and many countries and regions that have had their share of violence and strife. However, I wonder if anybody in the world has been hunted globally the way Americans have. This isn't to say we are to be pitied among the world's people, NOT AT ALL. However, try and understand why we are upset when somebody says they are going to hunt us everywhere we go.

Certainly the United States is not perfect. That is obvious not only to Arabs and Europeans but also to Americans. We know. We understand that we've made mistakes, that we've offended others and made no apologies for it. However, we will not apologize for this nor should we. Killing Osama bin Laden wasn't simply revenge or a strike against Islam. No, this was the destruction of an evil man. And in that, we did no wrong.

Brett's mustache, the heart and soul of his "Octobeard," died last week after a 36-day STINT. The 'Stache, as he was known to his friends, was instrumental in bringing together the greatest ensemble of facial hair the autumn season had ever seen, from the beard to the sideburns and goatee . His warmth toward his neighbors, most notably Brett's upper lip, endeared him to everybody and earned him the reputation of a protector, especially from the cold, Parisian winds and attractive women.

"He made me look cool," said Brett Williams, who admitted he was skeptical at first about rocking the 'Stache. "For a brief moment in time, he made me look Parisian, and I'll never forget that."

The memorial service was held this past Tuesday at Notre Dame Cathedral here in Paris. Many celebrities (including Tom Selleck, John Stossel, and Burt Reynolds) were in attendance to pay their final respects. A teary-eyed Yosemite Sam gave a touching eulogy in which he said, "The 'Stache gave us hope through this cultural struggle. He made us believe in the resiliency of the soul to carry on a proud vestige of style and chivalry."

Brett read a few scriptures from the Bible and spoke of the good times, like when the mustache saved some soup from dinner for him to enjoy later. Or how it tickled him when he sneezed.

"I know I could grow another mustache, but it just wouldn't be the same," he said.

It's safe to say, no matter how many are grown, the world will never be the same.

For Americans, it is baseball.

In the summer, when we are bored out of our mind and need to pass the time, we watch baseball. We've been doing it since the end of the Civil War and we've perfected it into a 162-game season with playoffs and a cool trophy.

The French have done the same thing with work stoppages. Before I came here people told me to expect a lot of strikes and I laughed at them thinking it was an overblown stereotype like their love for cheese and wine. 1) The warnings were real. 2) They don't just strike, they full on crank up the Mardi Gras-esc parades complete with drunkenness, slogans and burning couches.

The only American comparison I can draw to a French strike, or "greve", is to combine the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with the "World's Largest Cocktail Party" in Jacksonville. If you're imagining Al Roker doing a beer bong with frat boys dressed in seersucker you have gone too far! So check out this video for a taste of what France does best!

I need to apologize.

You see the last four years, while I was a student at UF, the Gators enjoyed some immense success on the athletic playing field. I witnessed two BCS National Championship games, a Final Four, three SEC title games and a whole host of other great games. I apologize because it seems without me in the stands this year, the Gators can't buy a win. (Ironic how my absence coincides with the departure of Tebow and Spikes though, isn't it?)

After four years of dominating at the collegiate level, I felt the Lord leading me to take my game and swagger overseas and my alma mater has suffered from my selfishness. Yes, I am sorry and no, I am not coming back, because this season is already lost and it would be a waste of airline miles.

I do laugh though because as I worry about so many things, college football just is not one of them. I'll admit, it helps to not have ESPN on 24/7. Still, as I live the Parisian life here in the City of Light, I can't help but be frightened as I check my Facebook and see this week's suicide watch updates. (It's OK Urban, your family still loves you.)

For everyone back home, I feel your pain. After watching "The Hot Chick" I think I understand what it must be like to go from prom queen to Rob Schneider. And, since I'm not there in Gainesville to help console all you personally, especially my friends on sorority row, I'd like to give you a few things to mull over in your bye week.

1. WHY WE SUCK.

It's simple, the other teams are scoring more points than the Gators. Now, before you all gather your pitchforks and form a mob storming toward Steve Addazio's House,which is located at 8848 SW 11TH AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 , (Thanks Applied Fact Finding!) I want you to know that it is NOT our offensive coordinator's fault.

Our offensive woes and complete inability to score lately have nothing to do with Addazio. In reality, it's Urban's fault. For all of those who don't know, Urban is a tad conservative. When it comes to offensive strategy, he is the Rush Limbaugh of college football. (pun intended) Did you know that Mississippi State and former Gator assistant Dan Mullen only threw the ball one time in the second half of last week's upset win? One time. Yes, Dan learned that from Urban.

Here's a breakdown of the problem. In simple terms, Meyer either doesn't trust John Brantley and his fraternity bangs to throw the ball or Brantley all of sudden forgot how to throw a football. Because, boys and girls, when defenses know you are going to run they can stop it. That is especially true in the SEC where the defenses are fast and mean. Solution, throw the ball first to set up the run Urban. It is a solution that is simple in plan and difficult in execution, much like the spread offense. BUT, it does not require the firing of a coordinator.

2. PUT THE GUN DOWN

Yes friends, I know you're hurting but it will all be OK. If you still need comforting then listen to this song a couple of times. Just remember, we lost four games a few years back in 2007 to Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Michigan. And, remember if you can that at that time everyone, myself included, was calling for Dan Mullen to be fired because of his love affair with the inside-draw play. While there is no silver lining in the form of a Heisman Trophy this season, let's just remain calm and wait for our team to mature and for the coaches to make adjustments. Yes, it is easy for me to say this from 4,482 miles away as I don't have any French people over here reminding me daily of my team's struggles or mocking my jorts. But, I did make a $20 wager with a Seminole friend of mine that the Gators would have a better record this season than the 'Noles would. So I like to think I have just as much invested as the rest of y'all.

3. It's Almost Basketball Season

That's right. We have Macklin, Boynton and Parsons returning. Throw in diaper dandy Patric Young, and I promise you Billy Donovan's team will definitely score more than 27 points a game and could very well surpass 12 wins this season.



Follow Brett on Twitter @Bdubya55