Posted on 06/20/2002 7:23:39 PM PDT by Senator Pardek
Does viewing images of barbarism strengthen us or demoralize us? That may have once been a question for media theorists, but the horrific images of decapitated Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl -- available on the Internet – have made it a pressing matter for us all. After murdering Pearl, his Islamofascist kidnappers edited and distributed a ghastly video of their butchery that included statements by the reporter -- clearly made under duress – as well as scenes from the continuing conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia.
The question of whether to watch these images has turned into a public debate. In May, for example, CBS News was widely condemned for airing portions of this sickening propaganda video. At the beginning of June, the Boston Phoenix chose to publish a link to it for its readers. On June 13, The New Republic came out in favor of viewing this commercial for evil and also published a link to it.
On Tuesday, June 18, Daniel Pearl’s father, Judea Pearl, argued in a New York Times op-ed piece that showing such images will only encourage savages like his son’s kidnappers to continue their gruesome practices. This week, Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen countered that view, arguing that by looking squarely at the horror, Americans can see “what we’re up against.” The tape, an advertisement of evil, is in fact not aimed at us; it does not seek to dishearten us. Instead, it is a recruitment film designed to inspire new holy warriors in a vicious war against America and its allies.
On balance those in favor of allowing the American public to see this horror are right.
Certain images are seared into our memories; their very horror reminds us of what we are fighting against, and what we stand for. Like the appalling footage of mass death in Nazi concentration camps, such images are evidence that barbarity can become ascendant, and must be countered. This is an assemblage of just such images. (Note: if you're sqeamish, don't hit that last link - and if you do, for the love of God, don't let your children be in the room - Pardek)
Among the worst of these muslim snuff videos were the ones taken by the "Bosnian" muslim savage Nasir Oric. This was the commander of the mujehadin inside the "UN protected zone" of Srebrenica. At night, he and his thugs would sneak out of the "protected zone", and burn or slit the throats of thousands of Serbian villagers. Then he would take videos of his savage work.
You all remember Srebrenica. That was supposed to be the site of the big "Serbian massacre" of the "innocent Bosnian muslim civilians who had fled for refuge to the UN". The reality of Srebrenica was A LOT DIFFERENT!!!!
The tape is an obscenity.
Tell me how you did that, and I'll forever stop pestering you.
It truly is numbing to view. Too many people, especially the PC crowd, are in denial about what Muslims are about.
Viewing Pearl's barbaric murder leaves nothing left for the stupid PC crowd to say.
Right on target.
The tape provides solid evidence of the brutality and inhumanity of the perpetrators, just as you say. But that would be true whether I viewed it or not. In other words, the tape's very existence proves the barbarity of the Islamofascists who made it, silencing any PC defenders they may have. Therefore, to my mind, it doesn't follow that it becomes either politically or morally worthwhile to actually view it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.