They just got a different tool to use than we do: They kill innocent lives to achieve objectives. That's what they do. And they're good. They get on the TV screens and they get people to ask questions about, well, you know, this, that or the other. I mean, they're able to kind of say to people: Don't come and bother us, because we will kill you. Bush - Joint News Conference with Blair - 28 July '06

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Beheadings - we can't get enough

Those that search out and view the beheading videos available on the net are probably innocent of any evil; its a natural thing to do.

I have at least two reasons for holding back:-

1. Once these images are in your brain they are their to stay. The horror section of my deficient brain is already overpopulated.

2. The terrorists, not least the Al-Zarqawi group, are masters of political manipulation through mass psychological attack. Shock and Awe ("control by invoking dread") has been reworked and rebranded. 2.5 million downloads of another "execution" is something Al-Zarqawis media director will be presenting to his boss as an achievement.

But really, what possible benefit can anyone get from watching them? I guess that little twinge of pleasure in getting to see something you shouldn't. Happy nightmares.