The Random Yak

Lorrie Byrd at Wizbang takes CNN to task for callousness above and beyond the call of duty, in what was going to be the lead post in a Tuesday reading list.

Instead, I’ve decided I’m just torqued enough to give this onea little more time and space.

Yes, the sniper video is graphic. Yes, there are alleged arguments on both sides as to why it should or should not be shown on television. Personally, I find it inappropriate formany reasons.

Let’s start with televising terrorist propaganda. Make no mistake: reporting on the deaths of American servicemen is probably news. Explaining the current state of the war effort is probably news. Reactions to the President’s decisions – and those of the American military in Iraq – still probably qualify as news. ButI must have missed the portion of the “wartime style sheet” that approves CNN playing enemy propaganda footage and calling it news.

Prior to shooting US servicemen, the voices on the video state that they want to make sure they only kill Americans, not Iraqis. Nice, comingfrom a group that doesn’t generally care who they kill, and whose actions are directly responsible for the deaths of many Iraqi civilians.

Perhaps the most important reason I can find for not playing this kind of video, however, is the one few blogs or news sources have focused on- the one soeloquently expressed bya man who called in to Michael Medved’s radio talk show yesterday.This man’sson was killed by a sniper in Iraq, under circumstances close enough to the video that he and his wife are concerned that the CNN footage may actually show his son’s death. He apparently contacted CNN and asked them to stop showing the video until they could confirm that the US serviceman at issue was not his son – but apparently received no response from the network. (For the record, Medved promised to try and reach CNN and make certain the message was properly received – kudosto him for his concern and desire to help.)

Contrary to the apparent opinion of CNN, televising videos like thisdoesn’t”teach” anyone about war.It doesn’tbring us closer to understanding the enemy or ourselves.It doesn’theighten awareness, andit doesn’t promote peace.

Televising videos like this dehumanizes and disrespects the American servicemen who gave their livesserving their country and the people of Iraq. It shows a callous disregard for the privacy and feelingsof their families.

Our enemies televised the murder of one of our own – and CNN showed that murder to the world,excusing it as “newsworthy.”

I’ve got a few other terms CNN might want to try on for size.

Let’s start with “disrespectful,” “offensive,” and “ill-advised.”

I don’t know the name of the U.S. servicemen shown in the video, but someonedoes.And I’ve got news for CNN.They aren’t a “news item” – theyare sons,husbands and fathers. Somewhere out there, someone grieves because those men are never coming home,griefcompounded by having to watch their deaths on CNN.

All facts CNN might have wanted to consider before making use of the terrorists’ film.

Linked to Michelle Malkin’s support for U.S. Snipersand Church and State’s “Snipe This, CNN” and to the Open Trackback Posts at third world county (Viral iPod Owner Search) andPlanck’s Constant (Help the French Put Out Their Fires – with apologies for the original – broken – link)