Posted on 05/11/2004 12:00:12 PM PDT by Petronski
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — The family of an American civilian shown beheaded on an Islamic militant Web site huddled in in tears Tuesday after learning of the existence of the graphic videotape.
The video showed Nick Berg, 26, in a staged execution carried out by an al-Qaida affiliated group. The video said the killing was to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.
"My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael, my mother's name is Suzanne," the man said on the video before being killed. "I have a brother and sister, David and Sara. I live in ... Philadelphia."
Berg's family said U.S. State Department officials on Monday had told them Berg was decapitated. The family, though, had wanted that information to remain private.
When told about news of the Web site Nick Berg's father, brother and sister, collapsed to the ground in a tearful hug in their front yard.
"I knew he was decapitated before," said the father, Michael Berg. "That manner is preferable to a long and torturous death. But I didn't want it to become public."
Michael Berg lashed out at the U.S. military and Bush administration, saying his son might still be alive had he not been detained by U.S. officials in Iraq without being charged and without access to a lawyer.
Nick Berg, a small telecommunications business owner, spoke to his parents on March 24 and told them he would return home on March 30. But Berg was detained by Iraqi police at a checkpoint in Mosul on March 24. He was turned over to U.S. officials and detained for 13 days.
His father, Michael, said his son wasn't allowed to make phone calls or contact a lawyer.
FBI agents visited Berg's parents in West Chester on March 31 and told the family they were trying to confirm their son's identity. On April 5, the Bergs filed suit in federal court in Philadelphia, contending that their son was being held illegally by the U.S. military. The next day Berg was released. He told his parents he hadn't been mistreated.
Michael Berg said he blamed the U.S. government for creating circumstances that led to his son's death. He said if his son hadn't been detained for so long, he might have been able to leave the country before the violence worsened.
"I think a lot of people are fed up with the lack of civil rights this thing has caused," he said. "I don't think this administration is committed to democracy."
The Bergs last heard from their son April 9, when he said he would come home by way of Jordan.
Berg had traveled several times to Third World countries to help spread technology, his family said. He had previously traveled to Kenya and Ghana, where they said he had purchased a $900 brick-making press for a poor village, the family said.
Berg's mother, Suzanne Berg, said her son was in Iraq to help rebuild communication antennas.
"He had this idea that he could help rebuild the infrastructure," she said.
Michael Berg described himself as fervently anti-war, but said his son disagreed with him.
"He was a Bush supporter," Berg said. "He looked at it as bringing democracy to a country that didn't have it."
Suzanne Berg said she was told her son's body would be transported to Kuwait and then to Dover, Del. She said the family had been trying for weeks to learn where their son was but that federal officials had not been helpful.
"I went through this with them for weeks," she said. "I basically ended up doing most of the investigating myself."
Yes, Neville Chamberlain said almost the same thing. You really should change your name...Churchill is probably up to about 150 rpm about now.
When almost 3,000 innocent civilians were killed on 9/11, that 3,000 included Republicans, Democrats, and others.
When our troops were deployed to Iraq, Republicans, Democrats, and others were deployed.
Those Americans that have given their all, given their limbs in Iraq were Republicans, Democrats, and others.
The murderous islamic animals are not concerned about which political party one belongs to, they just want all Americans dead... D E A D
It is a sad day when people cannot show some type of sympathy for one who has just lost their child especially in such a horrendous manner.
Together we, Americans stand. Divided we'll fall.
Don't know what happened between those dates but...
In March the Iraqi's picked him up in Mosul and got all his vital information (where he was staying, nationality, etc.) then turned him over to the MPs. Any bets the terrorists were given his hotel location by Iraqi "police"? Probably a reward for information leading to unguarded Americans.
Anyway, the US had him in what should have been considered protective custody for 13 days. Right up until his parents filed a lawsuit against the USA on March 5th. He was released the next day thanks to his parents suit. Terrorist were probably living in his hotel room in Baghdad waiting for him by the time he got there.
The BLAME is to one place. Those filth, those shits, that crap of dogs dressed in black who coldly slaughterd a young man.
Putting blame to others is simply nothing but making excuses for and diminshing the blood spilled.
Sorry, make that April 5th.
Are you saying Churchill was in favor of any war, any time? Sorry. For instance, he was very much against military action against China on behalf of the Nationalists, following their flight to Formosa. Not every war is necessary; our invasion of Iraq wasn't - - it was a diversion from the war against al-Quada. Before we even got the guys who took down the Twin Towers, we diverted troops to go against Iraq, which even Bush admits wasn't behind 9-11. (And even Bush admits now that they don't have WMDs). That's what I call an unnecessary war, and Churchill, I suspect, would have agreed.
That's the best idea I've heard all day.
*UNNECESSARY*???
Maybe you've forgotten September 11, but I have *NOT*!
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