I am disgusted and disheartened.
How I write the below is something I question as I type. Words are difficult to gather and I ask for some leniency if this comes off the wrong way or my point is not clear enough.
Upfront, all I can say is anyone who posts war videos showing humans being captured or worse, dying, is an asshole.
How many of us remember the videos out of Somalia during the famous Blackhawk Down incident when the bodies of two American service members were dragged through the streets?
Remember the outrage over Al Jazeera when they aired terrorist home videos of Americans being captured and the members of Blackwater who were brutally killed in an ambush later scorched and hung on a bridge in Falluja.
What about Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi?
All the aforementioned events had locals videotape the atrocities. Unfortunately, the American media helped spread the enemy’s propaganda.
Today, new video has surfaced pertaining the US Servicemembers ambushed in Niger.
I expect American media to release these videos as the American media is a shit-show in and of itself caring only about ratings.
But what infuriates me most is knowing at least two US Military Owned and Operated Veteran organizations released this video—uncut.
Yes, these two organizations posted the video where their alleged “brother’s in arms” were seen for the very last time—alive—taking their last breaths. But worse, their faces were clear as day allowing the family members to actually see these videos as well.
Some would argue that this should not be a big deal considering how violent video games and movies and television has become.
Let me counter by saying video games, movies, and television is not real life.
People are watching these videos as if they are watching a scene from a war movie.
Sorry, Tom Hanks didn’t really die in Saving Private Ryan—he is alive and well.
But, folks like those killed overseas really are dead. They were our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, etc. And, their families suffer daily with their loss.
But how any military/veteran organization can release these videos of their own brothers in arms baffles me considering the biggest excuse I have seen to date pertains to a nice fat CYOA explaining the release was for the public to obtain some lessons learned.
There are no lessons learned considering we do not get to see the full scope of the operation so that excuse is null and void. And yes, I am calling you on your bullshit considering such individuals damn well know they released same for click bait, wishing to cause controversy, capitalizing on the loss of some of their own.
(Of notes, I am not mentioning the two organizations who released these videos because the last thing I want to do is give them any more publicity which is EXACTLY what they are looking for)
Simply put, there are no excuses and no need to release such videos.
But hey, lets release them anyway so some kid can get so desensitized to human life, he goes into his school and shoots up the place.