Tuesday, May 11, 2004
"Behaves Like Animals in the Name of God"
The headline quote is from a US government official expressing outrage over the murder of Nick Berg in Iraq, used to describe his killers.
But, unfortunately, it describes us, as well.
Again, in the (to American eyes) grisly beheading death of Nick Berg, there is a culture gap. In our culture, we try to make executions all nice and comfy and safe, hence lethal injection, the latest in a series of methods that have been considered increasingly humane. Any execution that causes suffering is abhorent to us; indeed, is unconstitutional. It's just the definition of "cruel and unusual" that changes over time.
In much of the Muslim world, "changes over time" is meaningless. Fundamentalist countries are stuck in the 12th century and so, to their eyes, this method of execution is how it's done. They see nothing unusual or abhorent about it. That's their culture. They also make it a habit of slicing off the hands and feet of thieves -- and they don't do it with a quick swipe of a sword, either, nor is anaesthesia offered. (And you know that, secretly, deep down, most conservatives lust for this sort of "justice" over here.)
My point is this -- because of deep cultural differences, the method of Nick Berg's death will not cause the same shock and revulsion in the Muslim world that it will in the US. But, by the same token, the photos coming out of Abu Ghraib are just as disturbing to the Muslim world as the mere concept of Nick Berg's head being cut off with a knife is to us.
Both prove, to the other side, that the enemy is barbaric and decadent, and nothing but animals. And that's a very dangerous thing, because once you've dehumanized the enemy, anything is possible.
By the way, I only use the term "execution" above for purposes of illustrating my argument, because to the perpetrators that's what this was. But don't get me wrong -- Nick Berg's murder is a heinous crime. He was an innocent man who, ironically, went to Iraq in hopes of improving things for the people. Now, he's an innocent victim in a conflict that is between our government, not our people. A twenty-six year old boy with good intentions who should still be alive.
And would be, had not W had such a hardon for launching this useless war on Iraq.
The sound of that knife hitting Nick Berg's neck was the sound of W's treason coming to light. Nick Berg's blood is on their hands -- Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice. And we must get them out of office at all costs, lest Nick Berg become just one of many innocent and altruistic Americans to die in such an horrific manner.
To Nick's family: my condolences.
But, unfortunately, it describes us, as well.
Again, in the (to American eyes) grisly beheading death of Nick Berg, there is a culture gap. In our culture, we try to make executions all nice and comfy and safe, hence lethal injection, the latest in a series of methods that have been considered increasingly humane. Any execution that causes suffering is abhorent to us; indeed, is unconstitutional. It's just the definition of "cruel and unusual" that changes over time.
In much of the Muslim world, "changes over time" is meaningless. Fundamentalist countries are stuck in the 12th century and so, to their eyes, this method of execution is how it's done. They see nothing unusual or abhorent about it. That's their culture. They also make it a habit of slicing off the hands and feet of thieves -- and they don't do it with a quick swipe of a sword, either, nor is anaesthesia offered. (And you know that, secretly, deep down, most conservatives lust for this sort of "justice" over here.)
My point is this -- because of deep cultural differences, the method of Nick Berg's death will not cause the same shock and revulsion in the Muslim world that it will in the US. But, by the same token, the photos coming out of Abu Ghraib are just as disturbing to the Muslim world as the mere concept of Nick Berg's head being cut off with a knife is to us.
Both prove, to the other side, that the enemy is barbaric and decadent, and nothing but animals. And that's a very dangerous thing, because once you've dehumanized the enemy, anything is possible.
By the way, I only use the term "execution" above for purposes of illustrating my argument, because to the perpetrators that's what this was. But don't get me wrong -- Nick Berg's murder is a heinous crime. He was an innocent man who, ironically, went to Iraq in hopes of improving things for the people. Now, he's an innocent victim in a conflict that is between our government, not our people. A twenty-six year old boy with good intentions who should still be alive.
And would be, had not W had such a hardon for launching this useless war on Iraq.
The sound of that knife hitting Nick Berg's neck was the sound of W's treason coming to light. Nick Berg's blood is on their hands -- Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice. And we must get them out of office at all costs, lest Nick Berg become just one of many innocent and altruistic Americans to die in such an horrific manner.
To Nick's family: my condolences.
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