The footage I've seen of American beheadings in the Middle East is horrific. The first beheading I watched made me feel physically ill. It took quite some time before I could look at another film clip that so nobly demonstrated the indifferent, yet passionate, prowess with which angry terrorists could lop off the head of an innocent person.
Seeing such images stirs anger and hatred in even the most peaceful of people. U.S. citizens are up-in-arms about the vulgar display of violence. We denounce such brutal practices and accuse our Middle Eastern foes of being soul-less savages. Americans are outraged to hear that Iraqi television airs footage of dead U.S. soldiers and civilians being tortured, dragged through the streets, and eventually killed. We say that the Iraqi media, perhaps influenced by the insurgency, are simply trying to "rally the troops" and illicit a unifying war-cry against the American infidels.
Yet, we are so eager to see the corpse of al-Zarqawi after our military forces bombed his safehouse. American leadership proudly displays their "trophy" as an excessively enlarged photograph of a dead al-Zarqawi's face, housed in an ornate, golden frame fit for a fine work of art. We air the footage of his demise again and again and again to "rally the troops" and illicit a unifying war-cry against al-Qaeda.
The continued hypocrisy and arrogance of the American government is astonishing. For hundreds of years, we've repeated our history time and again. Not so long ago, our government invaded a foreign land and proceeded to kill its people, change the cultural and societal landscape, and leave behind a wake of destruction, all in the name of advancing freedom and protecting self-interests. The foreigners fought back, understandably so, and we were horrified at their savagery. In turn, we sought trophies from the foreigners and often paid bounties for their heads (literally.) Was this land in the Middle East? No... the land was America and the people we nearly destroyed were Native Americans. Yet, very little has changed.
Is the world a better place because al-Zarqawi is dead? Perhaps. But, I still have to wonder about the pride we feel in seeing the image of a dead man. Have we become so desensitized to the wanton killing of war that we can no longer separate our vulgarities from that of our enemy?
Have we learned nothing? Are we no better than the enemies that we're trying to destroy?
Monday, June 12, 2006
Are We No Better?
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4 comments:
Well, I know that I'm better, dammit ;)
It's interesting how we want to see the bodies. I'm no better than anyone else. Every time I visit a site like Ogrish, I swear I'm never going back because I'm so disgusted. Yet, like a moth to flame (or fly to shit), I go back.
As to your question of whether or not we've become desensitized to the wanton killing of war? I wouldn't say I'm desensitized, but I'm sure as hell worn out.
Oh, and I hadn't noticed the gilded frame until you pointed it out. We do have a sense of humor.
Fletcher here. Blame Jimmy.
I fear that our entire government has adopted the policy that the end justifies the means. Fight fire with fire. So in the end, we are no better than those we fight. We are like the Romans, a sense of superiority simply because we are Romans...or Americans. That name itself is arrogance. Folks in Central America refer to us as United Statesians.
Sorry, different rant.
I pay very little attention to the news these days because in my youth, I'd simply go between anger and despair and back again.
I've reached a barely controlled apathy.
End of ramble.
&
Jimmy, I know what you mean about seeing the bodies. Despite the fact that I was nearly physically ill when I saw my first beheading, I've watched other beheading footage since then. A morbid curiosity that I do not understand.
Do you suppose that such horrid imagery is simply a reality check? Are we so comfortable with our easy lives that we need a sampling of how others in the world live?
Personally, I'm disgusted with myself and my apathy. There are millions dying around the world, whether the culprit be war, famine, disease, or genocide. Am I saddened by it all? Yes. Am I outraged at times? Absolutely.
But, apparently, not enough to do anything about it.
Hi, Fletcher... good to see you stop by. I've been lurking about for some time now and find your posts a breath of fresh air. :)
I understand the repeated migration between anger and despair, as I have been down that path myself. I hate the elitism that our government practices. I hate the way a vast majority of our fellow citizens enjoys it and allows it to continue. I hate the feeling that I am only one person and can do nothing to make a difference. I hate.
Sigh.
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