2008 Woodie Awards
Student outraged by soldier's death
Issue date: 5/18/04 Section: Letters to the Editor
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Dear Editor,
While browsing Google News as a reprieve from a case write-up, I noticed the headline story, which concerned the death of Nick Berg.
Berg was an American who went to Iraq to work on communications towers and was beheaded by those who wanted his release in exchange for the release of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison.
His captors recorded the murder on videotape, screen caps of which have proliferated on most news sites. What struck me the most about this event was the complete pointlessness of Berg's captors' actions. Did they hope to avenge the humiliation of the prisoners of Abu Ghraib at the hands of the American military? Did they want to display their ability to strike back at the "crusaders" who ignored their exchange request? Did they do it in a bout of twisted irrationality? Was it a combination of the above?
I think the last option is the most accurate, but whatever the reason, the captors accomplished nothing but the helping to create more hatred.
As I read the story, blood rushed to my head and I failed to notice my Tool mp3 fading in my ears. My level of indignation increased upon learning that Berg was an innocent on his way home but was detained, for reasons thus far unmerited, by both Iraqi and American forces.
Perhaps indignation is too weak a word. Truth be told, I pictured blasting the captors to Mars Jesse-Ventura-in-Predator style. I imagine many in the Middle East (and elsewhere) had similar thoughts as they viewed pictures of our GIs lording over prisoners in Abu Ghraib. I think the proliferation of hate comes down to a difference in ideologies and a lack of communication. For terrorists, there may be no innocents - only allies and enemies. For others, there is a difference, and to cross the line and kill innocents is undesirable.
Witness the efforts by the U.S. military to limit "collateral damage" during Shock and Awe vs. the terrorist attack that ushered in this global century. The disparity in what is acceptable to different groups makes the actions of terrorists unconscionable to us. What happened to Nick Berg is an example of this. From what I gather, being naked and helpless in front of a woman is fate on par with death to some Islamic men.
While browsing Google News as a reprieve from a case write-up, I noticed the headline story, which concerned the death of Nick Berg.
Berg was an American who went to Iraq to work on communications towers and was beheaded by those who wanted his release in exchange for the release of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison.
His captors recorded the murder on videotape, screen caps of which have proliferated on most news sites. What struck me the most about this event was the complete pointlessness of Berg's captors' actions. Did they hope to avenge the humiliation of the prisoners of Abu Ghraib at the hands of the American military? Did they want to display their ability to strike back at the "crusaders" who ignored their exchange request? Did they do it in a bout of twisted irrationality? Was it a combination of the above?
I think the last option is the most accurate, but whatever the reason, the captors accomplished nothing but the helping to create more hatred.
As I read the story, blood rushed to my head and I failed to notice my Tool mp3 fading in my ears. My level of indignation increased upon learning that Berg was an innocent on his way home but was detained, for reasons thus far unmerited, by both Iraqi and American forces.
Perhaps indignation is too weak a word. Truth be told, I pictured blasting the captors to Mars Jesse-Ventura-in-Predator style. I imagine many in the Middle East (and elsewhere) had similar thoughts as they viewed pictures of our GIs lording over prisoners in Abu Ghraib. I think the proliferation of hate comes down to a difference in ideologies and a lack of communication. For terrorists, there may be no innocents - only allies and enemies. For others, there is a difference, and to cross the line and kill innocents is undesirable.
Witness the efforts by the U.S. military to limit "collateral damage" during Shock and Awe vs. the terrorist attack that ushered in this global century. The disparity in what is acceptable to different groups makes the actions of terrorists unconscionable to us. What happened to Nick Berg is an example of this. From what I gather, being naked and helpless in front of a woman is fate on par with death to some Islamic men.
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