lizs column on Daniel Pearl's death

“Yes, this is an actual newspaper column I wrote, which is being published. I feel so strongly about Pearl's death... and so uneasy. I share this with you:

It was just a single death.

Following the thousands of hor-rific deaths that occurred in needless terrorism attacks in the United States Sept. 11, 2000, it might not seem to have a similar impact.

Yet the kidnapping and subsequent barbarian killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan has struck a deep chord of unrest and fear in me, as well as many others.

In case you missed the story, Pearl's throat was cut and he was decapitated, all sadistically captured on film by his captors.

I have tried to put a handle on the underlying fears that haunt me in this death.

For one thing, it again speaks to the innocence and naivete of Americans. I think that's a valid statement, for myself and certainly more than a few others.

Again, we've been hammered with the reality of the unthinkable happening. As if skyscrapers tumbling from the heavens in a mass of burning rubble weren't enough, we've again been force-fed one larger-than-life fact: The rest of the world does not play fair. And it certainly does not play by America's rules.

I am appalled that a person looking to report truth and justice - the freedom of speech guaranteed by our American Constitution - was killed in the line of duty.

Not by a stray bullet, no. That would be among the expected, if not accepted, risks of a dangerous job reporting in an area of serious political unrest and war.

Daniel Pearl was butchered. The quest for truth in Pakistan and Afghanistan has ended in this case.

When you think about reporters here, in America, and sometimes grimace at their stories, remember you have a right to know. The journalists are digging to get you pertinent information you might not otherwise learn - or even have a clue that such knowledge might benefit you.

There are no such rights in Third World countries. This rings out clearer than ever.

I also grieve for Pearl's wife and their unborn son. She appears to be a brave woman in her comments since the murder.

Countless Americans have tried to put themselves in her shoes the past few days, to see how they might deal with this nightmare from the gates of hell. I can't say I would be so strong. Knowing not only that your husband was murdered, but also there's a tape of the fact… well, I can't even fathom trying to come to grips with that.

I offer condolences to the extended Pearl family and friends. Words can barely express my feelings, as so inadequately shown here.

As for the rest of us, let's help out in the best way we know how.

First, let's protect our First Amendment rights for free speech, while somehow encouraging the concept worldwide. Don't ever take this American privilege for granted.

Second, let's be less naive. The phrase "brave, new world" comes to mind. In actuality, "brave" and bold behavior is required of us as the rules of the rest of the "new world" attempt to become ours.

The Wall Street Journal website has published many thoughts and condolences from readers regarding Daniel Pearl's death. This sentiment - posted Feb. 23, at 2:42 p.m., by Marsha Nicholson of Charleston, West Virginia - might best capture my feelings:

I find myself overwhelmed by the news of Daniel Pearl's murder.

Overwhelmed by disgust and anger at the circumstances.

Overwhelmed by sorrow and sympathy for his family, friends, colleagues, and over all his wife Mariane and their child.

Overwhelmed by admiration for his bravery and profound respect for his commitment, and that of all journalists worthy of the title, to being a champion of and conduit for information and understanding - the bedrock of a civilized and vigorous society.

God bless you all.”

“You are a very good writer!

8)”

“Way to go, Lizs.

This action in Afghanistan has been quite costly in terms of the lives of journalists, and this what I think of when someone mentions 'the Liberal Media.' If it wasn't for these people putting their lives on the line, we wouldn't know *what* was happening.”

“That is so true.There job when they are over there is hell on earth and if I must say they have got guts to do that.

8|”

“decapitated? horrible

yup, we are all a little less naive lizs, thanks”

“Very well written Lisa,.. it`s a shame the subjet matter you had to deal with. I can see how you would more than some feel a closer bond with Pearl`s plight.

Brave and bold, (New World) are the things this young country more than most represents though, isn`t it? Almost from the beginning of this country there have been heros whenever there was a need for them. Ordinary men and women stepping forward and taking on the brunt of much stronger and better prepaired forces, or threats to their way of living and believing.

There are no words that can help Mr. Pearl now, but it helps his wife, child, friends, loved ones and co-worker to know that freedom still rings true in the heart and minds of free men and women the world over that call the United States Of America, their home, no matter where they may be on the planet.”

“Very thoughtful and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing.”

“I find Pearls murder horrific but your argument is flawed.

'I am appalled that a person looking to report truth and justice - the freedom of speech guaranteed by our American Constitution - was killed in the line of duty'.

The constitution applies to what happens in America not foreign countries.
Truth and justice have very different criteria/values in different countries.
When in Rome act like a roman not an American.
Mr Pearl was playing w/fire and got burned.These war journalists are very brave and put their lives on the line daily...”

“Nice job Liz.. you capture and translate your feelings to words very nicely.”

“Davex..If you don't have something nice to say why don't you shut the fvck up...For you to say that Pearl played with fire and got burned is a twisted traiterous statement...You just proved that you are ignorant individual with nothing better to do than hack away at other people's work...Why don't you go juggle chainsaws or something...”

“Yep,.. what wsdavies said!”

“Was those murderers asking for money, release of prisoners, "Yankees get out of our country" or what? Did they just want to murder some foreign person for the "shock effect"?”

“Good write-up, Liz!”

“traitorous,unpatriotic,commie name calling is popular with ignorant people who cant look at truth in the face."Twisted,traitorous statement'-you sound like one of those old wannabe warriors/politicians.Grow up ws.
Fact is,jackazz, the state dept has warned all americans to not visit hot spot regions like mid east and pac rim areas.This would include journalists.Anybody with a few iq points above 10(not you ws) knows that they are risking their life by visiting these regions.Fact is dp and all journalists in these regions are playing with fire.”

“Thanks for posting that, Lizzy. You hit the nail on the head when you said we must use our freedoms in spite of fear.”

“Nice write up lizs. I was very disturbed by his death also but I do have to agree with DaveX (grudgingly, mind you) that for a Jewish/American reporter to go to a Muslim country to meet up with a group of Muslim extremists...wellllll, ya just gotta wonder if it could have gone ANY other way? The simple fact is that we Yanks can't just go globetrotting with a friendly smile on our face and expect the rest of the world to love us. In this respect we are naive.

Ya know, I have to admit that I have had my moments sense 9/11 that I wish I could have a more active role in the fight against terrorist and found myself saying, "Man, if I could get my damn hands opn one of them bastards I kill 'em in a heartbeat!". Well, there are folks in other parts of the world that feel the same way about us. These fukkers just happened to figure out a way to get ahold of one of us.”

“Good article lizs! Where is it going to be published?”

“I was just thinking about how Normal People view backpackers. When I tell people about stomping around in the North Carolina mountains in Winter, they think I'm nutty also...”

“Great piece of writing Lizs.

BTW: It is one thing to say that Pearl was taking a risk, and another to say he was playing with fire. As far as I can tell, Pearl knew he was risking his life in order to report the truth. Thats courage and I admire it.

The death rate among Western reporters has been way higher than the death rate for Western military personnel. Both are contributing, both are taking risks.”

“Without reporters such as Pearl willing to travel the world and take risks to deliver stories to the American people, you might as well be watching Al Jazzir (sp?) for information on what is going on over there. Rag on the media all you want but without it, you would only be guessing about what is happening in the world. I, like Lizs, am glad there are journalists willing to put their lives on the line to deliver the story. This guy was writing words, not shooting a gun. I guess some in Pakistan see them as one and the same.

Good article, Lizs.”

“Let me clarify,I am grateful for journalists who risk their lives to report the truth cuz it wont come from our govt or military.Every war journalist who enters these danger zones know they are putting their life at peril hence playing with fire.”

“good job liz”

“lizs, overwhelmed? By the death of one guy who was where he shouldn't have been? Give us a break!

Where's your sense of humanity for all the innocent Palestinians being killed every day by the U.S. backed Israeli Army? Furthermore, the Bush Administration is sanctioning the killing.

THAT'S OVERWHELMING. To heck with one American who happened to meet his fate. You don't know the meaning of "overwhelming."”

“Davex..The intonation of your statement would lead the average reader to believe that you felt like what happened to Pearl was justifiable...Every human realizes at a very young age that there are certian truths to life..do unto others...One shall not kill...and no matter what the location, custom, political structure..that this nation may hold..it will never make the slaughter of an innocent person right..

and for you GDE why don't you grow some testicals and try posting under your real name..you know the one your pappy gave you...”

“Well written lizs. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I'll stay out of the politics...”