[David]

All the major networks have, so far, refused to show the video of captured American POWs.

Do you agree that we should be spared from the horrific photos?

Or should we be shown the grim reality of the Saddam's evil henchmen?

:fire: :fire: :fire:

[Hkmp5sd]

I think that ALL news media sources worldwide should refuse to play any video such as this. If no one is going to see it, perhaps they won't bother making it.

One thing is for sure. If they DO show it in the US before the war ends, the anti-war doves will lose what little sympathy that mainstream Americans may have had.

[Peetmoss]

I don't really think it should be shown. However I have heard reports about the video and seen some still shots of the POW's. The only thing that makes me want to see the video is because they say some of the prisoners were executed. I want to judge that for myself.

[jimpeel]

No and Hell no. Not necessarily in that order.

[T.Stahl]

No, the medias should not show up close pictures or videos of captured or fallen soldiers of either side, as it infringes their dignity.

[Chaz]

I voted yes.

I think that our society has become disconnected from reality. War is a nasty, dirty, violent thing. Not the "video game" version we see on T.V. I say let the people see just how bad Saddam's regime is. Let the people see Saddam and his henchman for what they are. Brutal, evil scum that need to be purged from the earth.

Let the people see what we are fighting against.

I am not one of those people who enjoy gore. I have been in law enforcement and fire/rescue and have seen the worst of sights in person. But you show just how the citizens of Iraq have been treated through the U.N's. containment policy, I think alot of these University and high school kids will come around.


Pray for the families of those who were lost.


-Chaz

[cheygriz]

These men have been through enough without their pix being displayed by some filthy jackel of a "newsie."

[PATH]

I am torn but I said yes! The American people should understand what kind of animals we are dealing with! :fire:

[Blackhawk]

Chaz nailed it.

PATH set the nail.

[Hkmp5sd]

If you are interested, Drudge has some video-caps from the tape.

[benewton]

I've not looked: I've seen dead before and have no need to do so again.

That said, you have to recognize that information cannot be controlled in the world today.

The Arab world has access, so should we.

I do agree with the warnings, of course.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

There's no check box for No -- what do you think this is, Al Jazeera? So I'm not going to vote.

- pdmoderator

[CampX]

We are seeing film of Iraqi POW's, ziptied wrists, no shoes, wounded..... so why shouldn't we see Americans? So far there is no indication of them being mis-treated, unless being questioned "which State are you from and what is your name" is torture.
I agree, it would take the 'video game' aspect out of the idea of this war.
Do you think that the Iraqi's will torture or execute them?

[spacemanspiff]

if it was one of your family members who was taken hostage/wounded/killed, do you want to learn about it on cnn, or from those who are responsible for the soldiers themselves?

i still remember watching the footage of the dead pilots being dragged through the streets of mogadishu. and after reading the book 'black hawk down', and realizing that the family members of those stationed in mogadishu were panicked, not knowing if their loved ones were a part of that, that makes me say "No", dont air the footage, it is only designed to demoralize our troops and our country.

[David]

Reading between the lines of the comments from CNN, they may show part of the captured American POWs video after all the POWs' families are notified.

[P12]

One thing is for sure. If they DO show it in the US before the war ends, the anti-war doves will lose what little sympathy that mainstream Americans may have had. And that's why I say HELL YES! Expose the evil that is facing US!

Domestic phyops.

[Matt1911]

Fox news is showing a still

[Bruce H]

The war has to be shown from all sides. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

[CampX]

I agree it is demoralizing to the military and for loved ones back home. It ain't pretty. But it is a fact of WAR. This does happen. People should't be shocked at US forces being captured, except that all the BS war movies in the last 5 years would make it seem like no US soldies ever gets captured, and that 5 soldiers can take on the entire Serbian or Somalian army by themselves and come out unscathed. Is there that much culture gap between the horror of the Viet Nam War and now? Or are all these so-called 'smart wepons' actually dumbing down the population on the actual ramifications of WAR? It ain't a video game, it ain't TV or the movies. This is the real thing.

[T.Stahl]

If showing POWs on TV is okay, where do you stop?

Do you think it was right to show the dead crew chief being dragged through Mogadishu?

Sorry, if I'd become captured or killed I wouldn't want a video of me or my body being shown on TV, do you?

[CampX]

I don't know if showing POW's is okay......so why are we seeing Iraqi POW's??? What's the difference T. Stahl? Why are we seeing any of this at all? The media is crap. I refuse to watch CNN anymore, I'd rather watch the BBC. A little more subjective and unbiased to say the least...

[Hkmp5sd]

CNN, they may show part of the captured American POWs

It's already on the net. I have seen part of the questioning of the POWs. It shows 4 Americans, 3 white males (one which may or not be dead) and a black female. They were not being mistreated on the video, but you can't tell what is going on off-screen.

[CampX]

What does the Geneva Convention rule state about POW's? Something to do with their treatment, and to not subject them to humiliation..........It looks like the Iraqi PoW's are being treated okay, though what's going on off-screen you can't tell.

[Sir Galahad]

Yeah, CampX, America's the bad guy. As usual.:rolleyes:

[T.Stahl]

CampX, I'm against showing videos or pictures of Iraqi POWs, too.

[Hkmp5sd]

CampX,

There is a big difference between POWs being filmed by imbedded news media while being patted down and led away and the interogating of POWs on a TV broadcast. There is also a difference between a long shot of a dead Iraqi soldier and the up-close and personal taping of dead American soldiers and the desecrtion of thier bodies. The new media taping the American POWs didn't just happen to be there as is the case with reporters assigned to US groups. The people which captured the soldiers had to contact the news media and arrange for that incident to take place.

And if you really want to know whether or not Iraq soldiers will torture or execute allied POWs, feel free to read any one of the books written by former POWs from the first Gulf War.

[CampX]

Sir Galahad, are you a little touchy on the subject? Sorta defensive methinks. I never said that the US would do anything to them, just as we don't know if the Iraqis would do anything to the US troops, so don't assume......pretty bad that the mere suggestion of this made you theorize that you are the 'bad guy'.

[Atticus]

Tough question. It's kinda like rape. How do you expose the brutality of a rapist while protecting the victim? I would vote to show it a few times late at night, but then- you know the media would exploit it by showing it over and over and over.....which isn't fair to the families.

[yucapote]

Yes, the american media must show all sides of the war, including the dozens of civilians wounded or killed. If you guys want to see the american pow's you should stop watching american media. I'm from Puerto Rico, a non incorporated territory of USA (aka colony) our media showed it all, the ones dead showed gun shot wounds, some in the head. Here is a picture:

[CampX]

Yup, stop watching American Media is right! I don't feel that they have your best interests in mind.

[sonny]

Definitly not until the family members are informed:fire:
After that?......I say that any news organization worth its spit should not show it..........I think it is selfish to believe that it is OUR right to see anything and everything caught on video.
I knew those animals would do it if they had the chance and I'm sure they will do it again.........Does anyone feel different about this thread now?.....http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11949&perpage=25&highlight=torture&pagenumber=1.....how about this one.....http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12477&highlight=torture

Bottom line is that the video of these animals will be EVERYWHERE before long........I'm sure the networks are hard at work deciding how they will be able to present this to the public in good taste......I think that is impossible.

[Sir Galahad]

Not peeved, Camp X. Just thought I'd state what you were trying to say through your insinuation.

[Shaughn Leayme]

I think not showing it is a sign of RESPECT to those who have been captured and thier family and friends.

But as we know many don't know the meaning of that word and are only interested in the ratings. It is hoped that even after the families have been contacted that the members of the media will have sufficient ethics to not show this.

Also do you want to aid an Enemies propaganda machine?

CampX,

Could you supply proof, that attrocites are being comitted off screen by the US and Coalition forces? off screen and out of sight of the camera's Or are you happy with making unfounded allegations?

No proof, that the Iraqi's haven't done or engaged in torture whiled interrogating POW's. Where have you been?

Most if not all of the Human rights groups have shown time and time again that Saddam's regime has had no problem with torture and brutality and there is also documented proof supplied by POW's from the Gulf War.

What is proof enough for you? Maybe yourself sitting in the chair with electrodes clamped onto your genitals? Would that be proof enough or would you say it is an isolated incident?

If you have an opinion....State it.....Don't hide behind insinuation.

[tyme]

No. Same reasons as T.Stahl. The soldiers deserve dignity. They shouldn't even be showing stills.

However, monsters will not cease to be monsters just because their actions aren't shown on television. The media can still whip up a feeding frenzy by just reporting what's on such tapes. I don't think refusing to air the videos or stills will deter others from making them in the future.

[.45FMJoe]

For all those who voted NO, I would like to say you are probably hypocritical swine. What are your stances on gun control? Prolly not too in favor of them are you? Well, gee, are those laws not set to cushion and protect people from the "evil" guns? Should we not distance ourselves from them as much as possible because they are bad and can be harmful? You guys are seriously in the suck. EDUCATION is the key. Running from something only softens your outlooks on life. The more you distance it, the less you know/fear/respect/understand, etc.

I could go on and on but I won't

[tyme]

.45fmjoe, there's a difference between sheltering yourself and others from worldly horrors and seeking out horrors even when they violate the dignity of others.

I've seen animals die. I've seen people get hurt. I've seen a relative die. And I have absolutely no idea what watching an Iraqi-choreographed display of dead and injured U.S. soldiers has to do with "education."

[Shaughn Leayme]

45FMJoe,

Hypocritical swine?

Because we think (or at least I do) that everyone deserves respect, wether living or dead and playing someones elses misery on TV, for the purpose of ratings and let's be honest about this, is something I find reprehensible.

If it was alturistic, why does Save the Children, Unicef and others have to pay for TV time?

If you want to assume that because I and probaly others look at it as a matter of respect, that because of our stance we must be blind liberal gun control freaks with our head in the sand, that is your privelage.

Your opinion isn't mine.

[Phyphor]

"For all those who voted NO, I would like to say you are probably hypocritical swine."

Nothing like taking the high road, eh?

" What are your stances on gun control? Prolly not too in favor of them are you? Well, gee, are those laws not set to cushion and protect people from the "evil" guns? Should we not distance ourselves from them as much as possible because they are bad and can be harmful?"

There's a huge difference between tools to defend oneself with, and images that might just CF a family. Would you want YOUR kids to see your beaten/shot body on TV, paraded around in a ratings grab?

" You guys are seriously in the suck. EDUCATION is the key. "

The irony in this is painful.

"Running from something only softens your outlooks on life. The more you distance it, the less you know/fear/respect/understand, etc.

I could go on and on but I won't
"

Nevermind respecting the families of those soldiers, eh?

[CampX]

Is this the Moral High Road forum? Morally, no we shouldn't be seeing US POW's on American TV, no matter what condition they are in. We shouldn't be seeing Iraqis either then. We shouldn't even be seeing ANY of this, the battles, the gun fights, the bombs falling on Baghdad.....did any of you cheer or even think "Yeehah, take that you bastards" when you saw the bombs falling? I'll bet you did. Same as some Iraqis cheering when they see footage of captured US troops I'll bet. So what's the difference here? Is it because you are the "morally' superior people? Does anyone else see the irony in this?
Shaughn, learn how to read. I never said that the US were abusing Iraqi POW's. Others made the suggestion that the Iraqis could be mistreating US POW's off-camera, but you never questioned their proof. Yes, the Iraqis in the past have been known to do this. That is PAST proof, not actual proof of what is happening this instant in some prison cell in Iraq. I just offered the opinion that US troops, as human beings, are capable of the same things as their Iraqi counterparts. Open your mind to the possibility.

[Standing Wolf]

The truth shall set us free.

[Nightfall]

No.

The dignity of these soldiers is not worth trying to give the general public a ‘wake up call' as to what war is like. It is certainly not worth ratings. These soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice, and I think it would be shameful and immoral to distribute Iraqi war propaganda of US soldiers being killed/tortured for any reason. Not only out of respect for them, but for their families. How would you feel if news stations began broadcasting images of your spouse/child/parent/sibling being tortured and killed by enemy soldiers for any reason? Any station that shows this tape will instantly and permanently lose my viewership.

This is about respect for the sacrifice these people are making, respect for the pain they are enduring, and respect for the families of these brave soldiers.

[CampX]

Amen.

[Dennis]

1) I don’t believe women should be in combat; but that question has been resolved opposite to my personal opinion so I will deal with it.

2) I would feel much the same about a lost son as I would the loss of one of my daughters or one of my sons-in-law. So, let me use the word “kid.” Yes, I know that military personnel are adults, but those adults all are some parents’ kids—and I’ll discuss this in that frame of reference. Also, I’ll use the male gender to indicate both genders rather than the artificial and stilted he/she, his/her, him/her crap.

3) If one of my kids were in the military, in combat, and captured by the enemy, I would want pictures (stills & moving) of everything that happened to him—everything! Nothing omitted. Let’s call them “tapes.”

- The tapes would show my kid was alive when taken.
- If my kid was abused, I would have proof of what happened.
- If my kid survived, the tapes should go to my kid to use or destroy as he sees fit.
- If my kid died, I would view the tapes repeatedly to harden my heart and resolve for the ensuing battle for justice for my child.
- If my government did not pursue the matter, I would have copies of the tapes on as much of the media as possible to force my government to act.
- If my government still did not act, I would use the tapes to harden my other kids and my grandchildren against our government. I would show the tapes to the world to foster distrust, disgust, and (hopefully) enough hate to bring about a new American regime which would fight for America and Americans rather than the politicians’ personal goals.

There’s more, but I’ll stop here… for now.

It’s the same as the 9/11 tapes. Those tapes and photos should be shown daily, yes, with disclaimers and warnings “for the children” but shown nonetheless. Perhaps these “peace-at-any-price” protesters could better grasp reality if they actually could see men, women and children jumping to certain death from the World Trade Center.

It does NOT show respect for our people to deny them or their survivors the knowledge—detailed knowledge and proof—of their sacrifice. If the relatives do not want the proof acknowledged or shown, that’s their business—don’t show the tapes!

But to deny me and my family such insight and proof is a hypocritical lie about “sensitivity” and “respect” when, in fact, it is the efforts of politicians and their lickspittle followers to control the minds and actions of the people who might interfere with the politician’s career goals. Let those who return make the decision about the tapes which involve them. If my kid does NOT return, let ME (the survivor’s family) make the decision—not our flippin’ government, not our leftist media, and not some mambly-pambly, Kumbaya-hummer mumbling about war and peace when they know little or nothing about either one! It should be for the offended person to decide—or, if they do not survive, for the family members to decide.

To specifically address the problem of raping females, I would want every scrap of information available—every photo, every tape, every snippet of information—including who did it, where they are now, and how I can get a passport as quickly as possible.

If revenge is only the Lord’s, then my government has no right to intervene.
If revenge is both the Lord’s and my government’s, then let me be the messenger.
My kid may have worked for you, but he waspart of MY family!

Had *I* not returned, I would my kids to know I did what I could to defend them, our country and our way of life before I was killed. I would want them to have the choice to view the proof.

Stay out of my family’s affairs. We'll make the decision, thank you!

[ahadams]

show it on prime time news, and in the schools. show it everytime there's a report of any antiwar demonstration anywhere, and make it clear that the antiwar demonstrators are defending the brutality in those pictures. Make it clear that the enemy does not show mercy, does not show humanity, and it is the very fact those pictures exist which documents the neccessity of eliminating that enemy, and their supporters. Show it every time the French or Russians or anybody else speak out against us and explain clearly that the French, Russians, and others are doing so because they support the types of brutality shown in the video.

and never let our people forget that.:fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: :fire: