Brutality Begets Brutality

News today that a video tape has surfaced of the beheading of American hostage, Nick Berg, in Iraq, purportedly by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a prominent member of al-Qaeda.

It is a horrifying and barbaric image to be sure. It revisits the gruesome death of Daniel Perle in Pakistan.

Unfortunately the Bush Administration has reacted with immediate spin:

"It shows the true nature of the enemies of freedom," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

"They have no regard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. We will pursue those who are responsible and bring them to justice."

However, the victim's father said the US authorities were indirectly to blame for his death for failing to get him safely out of the country. (for the full article click here)

Like the torture of Iraqis by American troops, the video tape is designed to terrorize. It will certainly have that affect, particularly for the civilian contractors working there.

But just as the images of torture at Abu Ghraib increases anti-American feelings abroad, this aggrandizment of murder will fuel anti-Arab feelings. Brutality begets brutality.

I just hope enough people realize that just as torture committed by American troops should not condemn all Americans, this brutal murder by Arab terrorists should not condemn all Arabs.