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May. 29th, 2002 12:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
robotech_masterI happened upon an article at Wired News about how an ISP is hosting the entire 3 1/2 minute video of Daniel Pearl being murdered. Out of a sort of morbid curiosity, I took a look. I'll spare the gory details and provide my overall impression below.
My impression was that the video was professionally made and edited. This was no work of a bunch of bloodthirsty rabble, but educated people with access to and knowledge of how to use expensive editing equipment. (Mass Media was my first major; I recognize it when I see it.) The first part of it used a lot of quick cuts back and forth between Daniel Pearl reading a statement (with the background around his head matted out) and other shots, designed to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. It ended with a text crawl listing demands, proclaiming the scene from the tape would be repeated again and again until they were met.
Although I was disgusted and horrified by the video, and ended up wishing I hadn't watched it, I have to agree with the ISP's decision to put it up. People have a right to see for themselves exactly what sort of monsters we're facing--and how truly implacable they are. I have nothing against ordinary citizens of Pakistan, or other Middle-Eastern nations, but there can be no peace with the sort of implacable terrorist factions who enjoy slaughtering Americans. We cannot afford to be lulled into thinking that they're "just a bunch of crazy fanatics," either. They have shown an ability to carry out intricate plans, to use high-tech equipment, and to coordinate their strikes for maximum impact. We dare not underestimate them again.
My impression was that the video was professionally made and edited. This was no work of a bunch of bloodthirsty rabble, but educated people with access to and knowledge of how to use expensive editing equipment. (Mass Media was my first major; I recognize it when I see it.) The first part of it used a lot of quick cuts back and forth between Daniel Pearl reading a statement (with the background around his head matted out) and other shots, designed to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. It ended with a text crawl listing demands, proclaiming the scene from the tape would be repeated again and again until they were met.
Although I was disgusted and horrified by the video, and ended up wishing I hadn't watched it, I have to agree with the ISP's decision to put it up. People have a right to see for themselves exactly what sort of monsters we're facing--and how truly implacable they are. I have nothing against ordinary citizens of Pakistan, or other Middle-Eastern nations, but there can be no peace with the sort of implacable terrorist factions who enjoy slaughtering Americans. We cannot afford to be lulled into thinking that they're "just a bunch of crazy fanatics," either. They have shown an ability to carry out intricate plans, to use high-tech equipment, and to coordinate their strikes for maximum impact. We dare not underestimate them again.
