In an act they claim was intended to “avenge” the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers, al-Qaeda has beheaded a U.S. contractor and captured the murder on video.
The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks, standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit similar to a prisoner’s uniform who identified himself as Nick Berg, a U.S. contractor whose body was found on a highway overpass in Baghdad on Saturday.
“My name is Nick Berg, my father’s name is Michael, my mother’s name is Susan,” the man said on the video. “I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah. I live in … Philadelphia.”
After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded as the men cut his head off, shouting “Allahu Akbar!” “God is great.” They then held the head out before the camera.
For the first time in my life, I am truly at a loss for words to express my rage.
UPDATE: Kevin has a link to the video. I’m not watching.
UPDATE: The major media outlets – including several in the Arab world – are refusing to air the video. Perhaps there’s still hope for the world.
Tuesday, May 11th, 2004, 1:24 pm | 
Terrorists Bite, War Bites | 
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May 11, 2004 at 3:07 pm
They are beyond salvage. The only question is when, if ever, we are going to start treating them in a manner they can understand.
May 11, 2004 at 2:17 pm
You are wise in not watching the video.
My primary response is sorrow rather than rage. The blogosphere appears to be filled with a lot of rage today and that saddens me as well.
May 11, 2004 at 2:23 pm
Of Course the Arab media refuses to play it.
Were you surprised by that?
May 11, 2004 at 2:38 pm
The arab and (major) US /EU media outlets won’t show it for the obvious reason…. it would overshadow the current dog and pony show going on regarding the prisoner abuse(s). If that sounds just a tad to cynical on my part, well, I have had it with the evil that exists in that corner of the world as well as those within our shores who would do anything in their power to aid and abet them.
I am for the proper procedures being taken in addressing the members of the military that took an active part in the abuse as well as those within their chain of command. But the grandstanding being done by both parties in the Senate and House, along with the various flavors of bleeding hearts needs to stop or at the very least be ignored by the media at large.
Sorry to take up so much of your space….I guess I need to get a blog of my own started. Know any good web/blog hosts *grin*
May 11, 2004 at 2:40 pm
No, now is not a time for sadness, now is the time for rage. Rage at those who’s pitiful excuse for a religion preaches the moral equilivence of humiliation of a muslim and death to an infidel, rage against the enemy within who gives aid and comfort to the enemy by exploiting America’s problem for political gain — those who by their actions embolden our enemies. Yes, now is a time for rage my friends.
May 11, 2004 at 3:35 pm
I’ve been in the media. (print). We would have refused to run a beheading image mainly because of reader sensibilities and a lack of news value.
–|PW|–
May 11, 2004 at 3:37 pm
Guy:
I don’t see an e-mail address, so I thought I’d mention: I’m always up for guest posters at my blog. Just create an account.
–|PW|–
May 11, 2004 at 3:51 pm
I agree there is a lot of outrage in the blogosphere and while sorrowful it is completely understandable. I agree that it is very saddening but worth it. The anger is an important reminder of context. The soldiers humiliated murderers. Murderers brutally butcher innocent people. Both are wrong but one is a moral failure concerning revenge and justice while another is an atrocious crime against humanity.
Anger just to be angry is futile. Righteous anger brings about change…hopefully it will be for good.
And as always, I reserve the right to be wrong.
May 11, 2004 at 7:53 pm
It should be shown everywhere. Then, when all the Americans who are going soft see poor Nick Berg’s head being sawed off and then held up to the camera we might actually realize what we are facing.
Rage is the most appropriatley emotion right now. Righteous rage.
May 12, 2004 at 1:43 am
I agree with Patrick. The video should be shown on all the major news networks for the whole country to see. Americans need a whole heapin’ helpin’ of Wake The Fuck Up! and get an up close and personal view of what we’re fighting.
May 12, 2004 at 1:47 am
So the death-worshipping Arab media refuses to play this video? You think it shows there’s still hope for the world.
That’s incredibly naive.
The Arab media refuses to show it because it makes their “glorious” warriors look bad after all the whining they’re doing about dirty pictures in that Iraqi prison..
May 12, 2004 at 3:50 am
I have typed and erased several paragraphs already — I don’t know what to say. In a way, one man suffered a horriffic death in repayment for the poor decisions of several officers in an Iraqi prison. I know it is not that simple, but it is true to some degree.
May 12, 2004 at 4:43 am
I’ve read EV for awhile. This is my first comment, and it’s mostly directed at other commenters.
Characterizing Islam based on the acts of fundamentalists in disingeneous. There are Muslims living in America who condemn this act and who are outraged by it. Their religious practice carries no room for this type of criminal act.
My family is Muslim. I grew up surrounded by a loving Muslim community. These were the most intelligent, kind, gentle people I have ever known. Trust me, I went to college in central Texas where people were known for being friendly and helping out a neighbor if they were in trouble. It doesn’t compare to what my family’s friends did for each other on a daily basis–all peaceful and loving acts designed to care for one another’s children, teach the children values, look out for the parents when they were sick, comfort each other when they heard about a death of a loved one overseas…the list goes on and on.
When people react by attacking Islam and concluding we ought to just nuke all the stupid Muslims, you’re forgetting that there are American Muslims, and that they are your fellow Americans. Don’t allow religious fundamentalism to become representative of all believers–and don’t think that this sort of fundamentalism isn’t seen as a threat by devout Muslims who don’t embrace it.
May 12, 2004 at 10:34 am
Lawsuit anyone?
I’m thinking Nick Berg’s family needs to sue every media outlet that published/distributed any Abu Ghrayib photos as they are all culpable in his murder.
I have no outrage left in me, so instead I will pray.
May 13, 2004 at 5:15 am
You can also find the video links on my blog(click my name). I want everybody to see the evil we are fighting.
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