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| The Kidnap Weapon |
| 2004-09-27 |
| Bill Safire The Zarqawi terrorist network in Iraq has developed a powerful new weapon. It requires no munitions and no suicide zealots, runs no risk to terrorists of death or capture and provides cash to finance other operations. The weapon is publicized kidnapping. Pictures of helpless captives begging for their lives trigger worldwide coverage of tearful families begging for mercy. Films sometimes conclude with a sadistic Zarqawi slowly sawing off the heads of his victims. For the psychological warriors, it is a win-win tactic. If the ransom is paid by a private contractor, the extorted cash buys rockets and mortars. If the ransom is paid by a government withdrawing its troops, the terrorist diplomatic victory dispirits the rest of the coalition. If the ransom is not paid, then the film of the hostages' beheading strikes fear into the heart of the morbidly fascinated viewer. The kidnap weapon does not always produce the propaganda results the killers want. John Burns of The Times noted from Baghdad on PBS's "NewsHour" that the grisly murders fill civilized Iraqis with a deep disgust. They remind many of the hand-chopping and tongue-cutting methods used by Saddam's goons to suppress resistance. But this also frightens many Iraqis, and manipulates the media to intimidate millions abroad whose support is needed to defeat the terrorists. Nobody should order reporters and editors to "downplay" a gut-wrenching human interest story involving cruelty, violence and death. Nor should the media flinch from covering casualty counts or honoring the fallen. War involves sacrifice. But responsible journalists should consider the wisdom of allowing media-savvy terrorists to play them like a violin. Sensationalism sells; on TV, "if it bleeds, it leads." Audiences are surely drawn to tearful interviews with worried spouses and children. Bloggers get "hits" from posting the most gruesome pictures. Cable ratings rise by milking the pathos in the drama created by the Zarqawi network: first comes the kidnapping report; then televised pleas from the kneeling, doomed innocents; then coverage of marches and vigils to plead for the payment of ransom; finally, in one case out of four, the delivery of dismembered bodies and gleeful claim of blame. |
| Posted by:Capt America |
| #9 Well actually it was someones balls that got cut off annd sent to the kidnappers as the legend goes. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-09-27 8:51:07 PM |
| #8 In the mid 1980's during the Lebanese Civil War, many foreigners were kidnapped. They even kidnapped a Russian. Within 3-4 days, he was released. Turns out the Russians learned who the kidnappers were, kidnapped THEIR relatives, cut off fingers and such, and POOF! Igor go home. Might be a good lesson here. |
| Posted by: Brett_the_Quarkian 2004-09-27 8:43:30 PM |
| #7 Kidnapping and hostage-taking isn't really that new. Mass visual media does make execution a more powerful tool. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-09-27 8:15:55 PM |
| #6 Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord. Yes, But the Buffs belong to me sayeth the CincSac. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-09-27 6:54:11 PM |
| #5 I am not afraid,I am enraged.I do not want Justice,I want revenge.The Bible:"Vengence is mine"sayeth the Lord.But revenge belongs to me. My sentiments are the same as"A Letter to our Enemies". |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-09-27 6:05:07 PM |
| #4 Kidnapping and blowing up civilians are tools of war used by people unable to defeat and demoralize our armed forces. Suicide bombers and jihadis like Tater's tots just go into the meat grinder and are used up. We stay the course and keep wacking them off and attrition will take care of these losers. We also need to go on the offensive with the MSM. Rathergate is a foot in the door. The truth up their asses will help win this war, in a significant way. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-09-27 3:12:29 PM |
| #3 Will Americans react to all-kidnap-all-the-time by being revolted at the savagery and turn to the candidate determined to wipe out the barbarians? Or will we be so revolted as to think Iraqis are hopelessly uncivilized or beaten down, and turn to the candidate who will get us out of there the fastest? How telling that at both extremes, Americans will identify subhuman behavior; others seem to get distracted from that identification fairly easily. Mr. Safire has identified the two outcome scenarios most palatable to Americans: massive use of force or abandonment of a people who seem to prefer savagery to occupation. The least acceptable scenario for Americans, which I sadly believe is becoming more likely, will be a convenient forgetfulness of the crimes that happened under Saddam, the betrayal of the US by the international community, a fixation on the sensibilities of the Muslim world rather than the sanity and safety of the entire world, and an attempt to make any old thing work, even if we found that same thing reprehensible a year ago (a sharia-based, Shia-dominated Muslim state). |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-09-27 1:38:49 PM |
| #2 "Americans," said Kerry’s announcer, "are being kidnapped, held hostage, even beheaded." Though undoubtedly accurate, that paid evocation of horror by a political candidate is a terrible blunder. That’s the sort of emotional appeal you would expect from President Gloria Arroyo Gloria Kerry--exactly. How low will this idiot go? Get this election over with, already. Can't bear the stench anymore. |
| Posted by: lex 2004-09-27 1:30:00 PM |
| #1 Of course, *counter*-kidnapping works, too. Imagine what would happen if an "Iraqi" "nationalist" organization kidnapped an obnoxious Mullah, some insurgent-director from Iran pretending to be a diplomat, or some French spies...er...journalists? It might also be noted that the kidnappers have a seemingly endless supply of red jumpsuits to give their hostages. I wonder why they do that? Why not leave them in their street clothes? Why go to all the trouble of stealing red jumpsuits from the US prison authorities? |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2004-09-27 1:18:48 PM |