For research purposes, What was your reaction to the videos showing acts of cruelty by ISIS

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 13:01:44 -0400

After viewing several of the videos of ISIS committing atrocious acts, I decided to make the effects of the video my research project for my advanced research methods class. The purpose of my research is to see if the videos, whether you watched them or not, impacted you any way.

We all know that ISIS has a mass communications network, and that they use it to recruit and intimidate global citizens. In the past, terror groups have mainly depended on a few websites and the news media to get their message and propaganda out. In the age of the internet, terror groups have seemingly realized that they no longer need to rely on other sources to distribute their message. ISIS has the means now to distribute information via social media, magazines, websites, radio and television.

Some questions to keep in mind while commenting are;
1. How did I feel when I seen the videos, or heard of their wide-spread distribution?
2. Did the videos, or the news of them cause me to want to do something?
Has the videos changed my opinion about the need for America to do something about ISIS?
3. Most have already heard and read of the atrocities that ISIS has committed, do the videos personalize the horror by placing a face with the act?
4. The acts have been committed against citizens of several different countries in the region and globally, Do you think governments around the world should be doing more to stop ISIS than what has been done?
5. Any additional thoughts and comments

The survey questions will allow me to have a set of quantitative data for my paper, however, since there are so many variables to consider and the fact that the videos are recent, most of my analysis will be qualitative. This means I will rely much on conversation in determining the extent to which the videos (ISIS) impacted service members and veterans.

Disclaimer. No names or personally identifiable information will be used in my research. Only comments, the results of the survey, and demographic information will be used. My research at the moment, is for academic research purposes only. In the future I may continue this research for further academic reasons.

Your feedback is much appreciated, and hopefully will help in determining why ISIS felt it necessary to publicize the videos, and what they hoped to gain. Additionally, one day it can help to understand the mindset and give governments and people a way of taking the power away from future terror groups. Ultimately, I believe governments around the globe will have to consider the fact that terror groups such as ISIS are brainwashing and using children to fight. Are nations ready for the possibility that they may have to fight kids. Hopefully enough research will identify how to stop terror groups from using children and how governments can effectively prevent children from being placed in these types of situations.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 21 at 2015 1:05 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 13:05:01 -0400

I didn't watch any of the beheading vids, but I know ISIS is doing some very nasty things to all kinds of people.

It's horrible, but it's pretty much status quo for a group that believes Allah has told them to kill everyone who is not them.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Mar 21 at 2015 1:13 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 13:13:42 -0400

This is not really new information. We all know there are a lot of groups doing gruesome things.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 1:22 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 13:22:15 -0400

LCpl Steve Wininger. I avoided watching the videos . . . the news was gruesome enough . . . but the stories and associated videos of the burning of the Jordanian pilot really struck home . . . no quick loss of consciousness from immediate drop in blood pressure to the brain from cutting the carotid artery . . . slow painful death from burns . . . then loss of nerves sensing burns . . . then consciously knowing but not sensing that you are being burned to death . . .

I am rather exceedingly angry . . . lobbying for termination of these atrocities by whatever means possible.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 21 at 2015 2:06 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 14:06:04 -0400

LCpl Steve Wininger, I'd be interested in the results of your research and with that being said here are my thoughts (that can be communicated on this forum):

Q1. How did I feel when I seen the videos, or heard of their wide-spread distribution?
A1. Understanding these are part of the intimidation campaign to spread terror (and ultimately gain submission by the populace), I had an immediate feeling of being enraged and the resolve to go forward if the unit was called to do so.

Q2. Did the videos, or the news of them cause me to want to do something?
Has the videos changed my opinion about the need for America to do something about ISIS?
A2. I would not go on a single-man crusade however, I am ready if the mission calls for it and fully support action to eliminate these acts of terrorism and destruction.

Q3. Most have already heard and read of the atrocities that ISIS has committed, do the videos personalize the horror by placing a face with the act?
A3. Undoubtedly, they also tie a face to the name which makes it directly personal, my hope is that the families do not endure those gruesome details of the video.

Q4. The acts have been committed against citizens of several different countries in the region and globally, Do you think governments around the world should be doing more to stop ISIS than what has been done?
A4. Yes however, I believe those that are not directly involved (but regionally close) are living on a prayer (hope) sitting on their hands wishing and hoping the next group of victims are not from their village/region/country.

Q5. Any additional thoughts and comments
A5. You cannot ignore this threat away.....it goes back to Deeds, not Words!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Mar 21 at 2015 4:33 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:33:43 -0400

When I deployed, I didn't have experience with ISIS, my experience was with the Taliban. Though, they were just a violent, they did not professionally produce videos to be released to the public. This isn't new, humans have been killing humans in exceeding violent ways since the dawn of time. What saddens me is that the general public shrugs this off because it doesn't affect them at the moment. Look at Somalia or Benghazi, a lot of people were indifferent that our citizens were being brutally killed and being paraded around like some trophy. Look at Korean War, WWI, WWII and Vietnam, our enemies have always treated our POWs with brutality. My brothers and sisters go to jail and the slightest perception of wrong doing...

How did I feel? I think 'hearts and minds'...two in the heart and one in the mind. I think that covers 1 and 2. I would love for all of the countries to go and put an end to this. The longer we wait, the larger the issue will be to take care of. We should either "sh!t or get off the pot" as the saying goes. Unfortunately, politics and public perception is how we choose to fight wars these days, which is why we lose to damn many of our brothers and sisters.