NICK BERG'S MURDER (A+ Op-ed)

NY Post ^

[normy]

Have you heard of fire bombings in German cities during WWII that killed tens of thousands of civillians? Have you heard about the Two Nuclear Bombs that we dropped on Japan killing tens of thousands of civillians?

[The South Texan]

This editorial about sums up my feelings over this. I would add this:

To hell to what the French and the rest of the Euroweenies feel.

[DustyMoment]

It was not my intent to state that "east is east and west is west . . . " and I appreciate you pointing out that that message seems to be conveyed from me because that is NOT my intent. I think we are on the same page, here, just stating it differently. I have no problems with Arabs, with Chinese, Africans, Martians or 3-legged Andalusian anteaters, when you get right down to it, and don't support the genocide of ANY group (well . . . MAYBE Democrats . . . LOL!). I have issues with the "religion" of Islam that preaches hate, slavery, oppression, murder and barbarism.

We are not at war with Arabs. We are at War with Islamic Fundamentalists. The ability to recognise this difference will be the difference between victory and defeat.

I agree, we ARE at war with Islamic Fundamentalists. The problem is that the majority of Islamic Fundamentalists are also Arab. Therein, in a nutshell, is the quandry in which we find ourselves. Given their cultural differences with those of us in the west and their perspectives on ANY action we take that appears as a weakness, there seems to be NO middle ground open to us. The choice is between packing up our toys and sneaking away in the middle of the night and handing them absolute defeat. Absolute defeat means exactly what it sounds like and that means we have to climb into their gutter and deliver that defeat in terms that they understand. I don't like the idea of killing innocents anymore than any other civilized person, but that's the only way to defeat these people.

[daler]

I'm assuming (and agreeing with) your unstated point.

I'm only surmising, but I believe the terrorists overplayed their hand on this one, thinking they were delivering the "coup de grace" to Bush and the war effort by circulating this video.

Instead, I'm thinking it was a brutal wake up call to those who were beginning to go wobbly, the after-effect of the Oprah-like tsunami of tears coming from the networks over the prison scandal.

What those (few) soldiers did in the prison cetainly doesn't present a positive image of our effort there (although, to this point, there's very little context with the photos). We've pretty much seen and heard what we need to, and now need to move on to dealing with those responsible.

However, the beheading video powerfully reaffirms what we all know about the terrorists, and why we're fighting this war. Hopefully, this horrible tragedy will get this prison crap off the front page so we can get back to focusing on the real problem over there.

If that happens, Nick Berg's murder will not be a total waste.

[gathersnomoss]

Bush's idle threats will lead to many more Islamic led murders. You can bet on it.

This will be a long war where someone must lead this country by example, not by the polls.

[RGSpincich]

He was reportedly kidnapped the same day as the man who later escaped.

And killed soon after Hamill escaped. That may be the real reason for Berg's death, as if there needed to be a reason.

[Ready4Freddy]

Berg had been abducted by the rags before the prison pics were released, but he was apparently killed this past Saturday, after the pics release.

[LegionofDorkness]

I would like to think the terrorists overplayed their hand but recent events suggest to me that they haven't. We will continue to pussyfoot around out of fear of antagonizing Iraqis.

What should happen is to surround the town in which Berg was beheaded and let EVERYONE in there know that if the 5 terrorists who did this are not brought forward in 48 hours, the town will be leveled. And then do it.

There are plenty of "innocent" civilians who know exactly where these animals are. Make them pay for not telling us.

[norton]

"Cool heads. Target the leadership, the cells. Show patience and pride in restraint. Show moral authority, but never show weakness in resolve."

I totally agree, target the leadership and the cells - however, in this instance I consider 25 square blocks or so to be pin-point targeting.
I think that a rate of one thousand pound bomb per terrorist leader or cell would adequately show our resolve, get the message across to any town or village willing to harbor terrorists, and get it across pretty damn fast.

[r9etb]

Bush's idle threats will lead to many more Islamic led murders. You can bet on it.

It's difficult not to question your mental capacity after this comment. If the threat were really "idle," why do you suppose it is that our guys are killing several dozen of these bastards every day?

Perhaps your problem is simply that you don't like Bush. That's fine, but it doesn't justify making stupid and false comments.

[going hot]

It's the only way to win this war.

This, or any other war.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Excellent op-ed. I'm glad you pinged me.

I agree with everything stated in it. As far as I'm concerned, we need to stop worrying about all the sensitivities of the world and get down to the brutal reality of annihilation. You can't reason with vicious animals or lightly nudge them with a stick.

I may be criticized for this but I wouldn't mind if we stopped taking prisoners and just killed them at the time of their capture. These beasts count on our humanity and restraint. Maybe they need to be unpleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile, all the non-stop "we-are-so-sorry-for-humiliating-these-rotten-prisoners" needs to cease. Take care of the violators and shut up about it.

[gathersnomoss]

Look, this is a war that is trying my patience. Questioning whether or not I like Bush is pointless. It is clear to me who the enemy is and "some of them" are on the run.

Our policy in regards to the Arab world must change if we really intend to win against Islamic terrorism. Bush is the right man at this time. In light of the new world that we are facing someone in leadership must clearly state who our enemies are and create a direction for the future. Maybe in 2008 we will elevate to that standard.

[petercooper]

Hagel, McCain, Chafee, Specter, Collins, Snowe

[Brit_Guy]

'If we stopped taking prisoners and just killed them at the time of their capture'?

By 'Them' I am hoping you mean gun-toting combatants and not all the presumed looters, bystanders and just suspicious looking types that we routinely round up.

Even then, for the record, I don't agree. We have to perform to a higher standard than the enemy. That is why we are in the right.

[Brit_Guy]

Is it any wonder that those of us who express support for the war get tagged 'Nazis' when people supposedly on the side of justice and liberty promote bosnian serb style tactics like this?

What should happen is to surround the town in which Berg was beheaded and let EVERYONE in there know that if the 5 terrorists who did this are not brought forward in 48 hours, the town will be leveled. And then do it. There are plenty of "innocent" civilians who know exactly where these animals are. Make them pay for not telling us.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Yes, I mean combatants.......combatants of any nature. IOW, anyone bent on harming us in any way.

I know that you and others may not agree and I understand the whole "higher standard" argument, but maybe the higher standard isn't the answer this time. This culture speaks a different language in more ways than one.

[A CA Guy]

You have an impression here that the people of that region are victims of the terrorist themselves and are not in mass participating in terror as the German people were backing the Nazi troops. Doesn't come off the same and is a more difficult proposition to prosecute the war.

"I" at least, do see a difference.

[Maria S]

Thanks for the update...I reckon I heard Savage incorrectly.