American Contractor Beheaded on Video

“My name is Nick Berg, my father’s name is Michael, my mother’s name is Suzanne. I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah. I live in … Philadelphia.”

These were the last words of an American contractor in Iraq before he was beheaded on video… CBS.

After reading a statement, the men were seen pulling the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded as the men cut his head off, shouting “Allahu Akbar!” - “God is great.” They then held the head out before the camera.

I would hope that like me you are outraged with this barbaric act. CNN commented by saying “that is the difference between us and them.” Yes that may be true, but I’m certain the deceased and his family will find little comfort in that.

War is not clean, or cool gadgets that shock and awe. For all our bravado and technology, the fact is you cannot play fair and win against fanatics. Either join them or leave them. Become more brutal than them, or leave them to their own devices. Just ask the ancient Crusaders.

And that ladies and gentlemen is the insanity of war. The sooner we realize that the better.

This war is out of hand and I recommend a new strategy. Instead of just lobbing bombs, throw loaves of bread. In other words make friends not enemies. That would be the smartest bomb ever. Teach them how to self govern and get out of there ASAP.

What a novel idea! Couldn’t hurt, but that would be too civilized for the war mongers. Let’s show them how Americans kick ass.

I leave with this parting thought. Catch phrases like “we will stay the course” make me shudder as I am reminded of another lost cause. I would hope we have learned our lesson from Nixon, where countless more lives were lost because he fixated on saving face, spouting “peace with honour” as he went down in flames.

Give Iraq back to the Iraqi’s and let them determine their own destiny. And do it quickly before another Johny comes home lately in a body bag.