by Klaus Rohrich
May 11, 2004
a day or so after September 11, 2001, during which Islamic fanatics murdered in excess of 3,000 innocent people in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania, the sob sisters in the media came forth and started talking about "root causes". The question of "why do they hate us so?" was asked ad nauseum and answered in equal frequency with what essentially amounted to it all being blamed on the victim, as in "those americans asked for it". Even Canada’s then Prime Minister hinted that they had it coming.
One of those seriously seeking answers was Daniel Pearl, a reporter who went to Pakistan in January of 2002 in an effort to find out why Islamic radicals hate america so much. He made contact with the terrorists underground, which promised to tell him everything he wanted to know, so that he could explain to america exactly what the "root causes" were. For his trouble, Pearl, a Jew, had his throat slit and was then decapitated, all the while his kidnappers videotaping the entire procedure.
In October of 2002 an Islamic radical group called Jemaah Islamiyah exploded a bomb in a crowded nightclub in Bali, which killed 202 Western tourists and injured over 1,000 others. This was purported to be payback to australia, because of its participation in the war against the Taliban in afghanistan.
Last month in Fallujah, Iraq, four american aid workers were ambushed and killed, after which their charred corpses were dragged through the streets and later, hung from a bridge, while jubilant crowds of Iraqis danced around them.
While these are only a few instances of how vicious the attacks against western targets are, the one thing they seem to have in common is that the so-called "mainstream media" doesn’t seem terribly bothered by them. Yes, they go through the motions of condemning the slaughter of innocent civilians and decry the loss of so many lives. But none, with the exception, perhaps of the Fox News Network, have come out and called them what they are: cowardly acts committed by cowardly people.
On the other side of this coin is the media’s attack on the Bush administration’s war on terrorism. During the war in afghanistan, Western media outlets routinely referred to Taliban fighters as "enemy" combatants. (It’s the quotation marks that are significant) The recent allegations that the american military behaved badly in afghanistan, Iraq, and possibly Guantanamo Bay during their interrogation of prisoners is positively keeping some media members orgasmic. It’s been alleged that some 14 Iraqis have died violently while in U.S. military custody and that soldiers routinely abused prisoners during interrogation, in an effort to gain more intelligence.
Of course the mainstream media is having a field day with this story. CBS News’ program, 60 Minutes ran a major story alleging systemic abuse of prisoners by allied soldiers and offering as proof graphic and sickening photographs of american soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners. Other news outlets have taken up the cry and have introduced more "evidence’ of alleged systemic abuse, both in Iraq and afghanistan, as well as Guantanamo Bay. These stories are reported with the kind of expectant gusto most people would associate with kids at Christmas. It’s like they’re screaming "See, we were right! americans are evil and deserve everything they’ve gotten so far and everything they’re going to get later on.
One thing the liberal media did not do is attempt to find out what precipitated some of the alleged abuse. according to a report submitted to the Pentagon, many of the fatalities and other instances of so-called abuse came as a result of prison uprisings and/or assaults on MP guards by hardened Islamic terrorists.
Listening to some of Toronto’s talk radio stations the last few days; I am surprised that they haven’t organized a march to the american Consulate on University avenue with a view towards lynching the U.S. Consul General. One talk show host called Bush a "thug", while another downplayed the americans’ role in World War II.
"You must understand that america didn’t enter World War II until two years after it began. By then it was nearly over. Their bravery is highly overrated." One very pompous talk-jock announced smugly.
The lead story in most news outlets was how Bush "refused" to apologize to the arab street.
To me, the contrast between media reaction to the so-called american atrocities and the run-of-the-mill Islamofascist kind is like the difference between lung cancer and a cough. Clearly, america is being held to a much higher standard than anyone else by its own media and the actions of a few deranged, frightened and angry soldiers somehow has been transformed into official U.S. policy.
Perhaps we can look at the "root causes" of this alleged abuse by american troops of prisoners held in their custody.
On November 28, 2001 in Mazar I Sharif, afghanistan, Canada’s own Omar Khadr, the 17-year-old son of ahmed Said Khadr, known in al Qaeda circles as "al Kanadi" (the Canadian), killed an american army medic with a hand grenade. This was achieved after the notorious prison riot that also cost the life of CIa Operative Mike Spann. Khadr played dead, while the medic made his way through the carnage caring for the wounded. as he neared young Khadr, the boy threw a hand grenade, instantly killing the medic.
Then there are the instances cited above. ambushing, killing, burning and desecrating the bodies of four fellow americans, while a ragtag gang of fanatics danced alongside doesn’t do much to endear Iraqi prisoners to their american guards. Call that a "root cause" of the alleged abuse.
Semtec-laden vehicles exploding in close proximity of american troops will definitely make american soldiers take notice of their Iraqi prisoners. Call that a "root cause".
Taking into account that several hundred american soldiers gave their lives to rid the people of Iraq from the murdering despot Saddam, the least they could expect from the populace is that they don‘t attack them. Finding themselves constantly under attack, while attempting to restore the country’s infrastructure is surely a frustrating experience for allied soldiers. Call that a "root cause".
Having civilian trains blown up by Islamic fanatics in Spain, resulting in that country turning tail and running is placing a heavier burden on allied troops remaining behind. Call that a "root cause".
Being away from one’s family for a year under constant danger of attack makes some of the troops jumpier and edgier than others. Call that a "root cause".
Watching your best friend get his head or legs blown off creates a lot of anger. Call that a "root cause".
I do not understand why the media is holding the allies to so much of a higher standard than they do the terrorists. It’s almost as if they are siding with those wishing to destroy us. Is the Western liberal media really so racked with self-loathing and guilt that they can excuse any atrocity committed against the West by Islamic or Palestinian fanatics, yet positively lose it when learning of abusive behaviour among some of the allied soldiers?
While President Bush finally did apologize to the Iraqi people, I believe he said all that needed to be said when he went on arab television to say that the vast majority of americans are appalled and shocked by the alleged actions of these soldiers. as for apologies, I do not believe any are necessary. Punishing those few responsible for the alleged abuse is apology enough.