Web site killings raise ethical dilemmas

Dom · Sep 13, 2004, 03:39 AM

DUBAI (Reuters) - A terrified-looking man, rocking back and forth in his chair with his hands tied behind his back, appeals to the United States to leave Iraq and spare him death. Then a hand with a knife appears to slice off his head.

"If we don't (leave Iraq), everyone is gonna be killed in this way ... I have been offered for exchange for prisoners here in Iraq," said the man, who identified himself as Benjamin Vanderford, 22.

One news organisation after another filed the story, only to find out later from the mother of the "computer savvy" man, that it was a hoax.

It showed how almost anyone can use the Internet to manipulate and frighten people and added to growing uncertainty over the credibility of Web sites or their use by Islamist groups as a terror platform.

The video of this apparently staged killing used the graphic format and same logo seen in previous tapes of beheadings released by al Qaeda-linked militant groups.

Vanderford, an American from San Francisco, said he staged the beheading using fake blood and began distributing the videotape on the Internet months ago. "It was part of a stunt, but no one noticed up until now," he said.

[Read More]

_____________________
Source: Reuters

Distroyed · Sep 14, 2004, 12:13 AM

"use by Islamist groups" - while I'm no fan of the monotheisms of the world, that's quite a hasty generalization for a news piece.

Dom · Sep 14, 2004, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distroyed

"use by Islamist groups" - while I'm no fan of the monotheisms of the world, that's quite a hasty generalization for a news piece.

I agree with that.

Nacht · Sep 14, 2004, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distroyed

"use by Islamist groups" - while I'm no fan of the monotheisms of the world, that's quite a hasty generalization for a news piece.

As will I.

I dont know how anybody could be so disrespectful...lord, it's almost as bad as the WTC toy.

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 04:40 AM

man thats dumb w/ all the contraversy... ill pass on this topic it flames me up a bit

The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 14, 2004, 04:45 PM

hapefully he's been put in jail allready... to rot and think of what hes done

Sep 13, 2004, 03:39 AM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Web site killings raise ethical dilemmas DUBAI (Reuters) - A terrified-looking man, rocking back and forth in his chair with his hands tied behind his back, appeals to the United States to leave Iraq and spare him death. Then a hand with a knife appears to slice off his head. "If we don't (leave Iraq), everyone is gonna be killed in this way ... I have been offered for exchange for prisoners here in Iraq," said the man, who identified himself as Benjamin Vanderford, 22. One news organisation after another filed the story, only to find out later from the mother of the "computer savvy" man, that it was a hoax. It showed how almost anyone can use the Internet to manipulate and frighten people and added to growing uncertainty over the credibility of Web sites or their use by Islamist groups as a terror platform. The video of this apparently staged killing used the graphic format and same logo seen in previous tapes of beheadings released by al Qaeda-linked militant groups. Vanderford, an American from San Francisco, said he staged the beheading using fake blood and began distributing the videotape on the Internet months ago. "It was part of a stunt, but no one noticed up until now," he said. [Read More] _____________________ Source: Reuters

Sep 14, 2004, 04:40 AM	#5
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 71	man thats dumb w/ all the contraversy... ill pass on this topic it flames me up a bit __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Sep 14, 2004, 04:45 PM	#6
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	hapefully he's been put in jail allready... to rot and think of what hes done __________________

Sep 14, 2004, 12:13 AM	#2
Distroyed DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 170 Rep Power: 0	"use by Islamist groups" - while I'm no fan of the monotheisms of the world, that's quite a hasty generalization for a news piece.