Hey everyone,
I have some honest questions about the ISIS videos. Obviously, I am just looking for opinions to help me rationalize what I've seen. I watched them all. I watched Berg's video years ago. They make me highly uncomfortable, but I think it is important to see them, first hand, instead of taking "their" word for it. "Their" being media, government, etc - fill in the blank. If I am considered a sick f@#k, then so be it. It is not like I enjoy them. They are disturbing.
Why are the victims going along with reading these statements? I realize they are not combat oriented, but it just seems like a bulls*$t way to go. Trying to rationalize this only leaves me with the fact that they are probably being tortured, though they look healthy enough and don't seem very scared.
With the first question, why are they just accepting their fate so calmly? The only resistance, which wasn't even resistance but, more than likely, just human reaction to pain, was when Sotloff's legs kind of kicked up like he was trying to stand up or get away from what was happening. I just can't fathom how they seem so accepting of what is happening. My only idea is maybe their families are being threatened since we, evidently, have ISIS members, here, in the US.
I have read in other places that they may have been drugged. I don't believe that is the case. They seemed completely alert and were able to easily recite their lines. The videos were, obviously, edited so there is also speculation that the "scenes" were rehearsed multiple times, which would kind of desensitize the victims - which makes a little bit of sense to me. I don't understand why they didn't show the actual beheading itself. In the Berg video, they didn't hold back and ISIS are supposed to be much more ruthless than Al Qaeda. I am quite relieved it wasn't shown, as that is what I was prepared for, but it leaves the door wide open to speculation. There are a lot of people saying it is fake and being used as a false flag by our government, like propaganda. I don't believe it is fake. Death never looks real, in my opinion, no matter how many times you see it.
Sorry for the long post. I think I am just in a little bit of shock right now and I want others' points of view to help me process. Of course, my heart goes out to all the families. I can't imagine the horror of being so helpless while your love one is butchered. It is unfortunate that there wasn't more that could be done to help them. I, also, feel extremely sad for Iraq, and Syria, as a whole. It feels like just yesterday I was there talking with the little Iraqi girls that seemed so fascinated with me. I can't imagine what has become of them.
My best to you all.
