Page 1 of 1

Teachers Learn Fate For Showing Beheading Video

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 7:56 am
by TexasStooge
Two Educators Placed On Administrative Leave

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS TV) -- Northwest School District officials Monday announced that they were placing two teachers on paid administrative leave for allegedly showing their students video of an American being beheaded by his Iraqi captors.

District superintendent Keith Sockwell said that the teachers had used "poor judgment," but said he believed both were reliable.

The teachers allegedly showed the entire graphic video to juniors and seniors in three different classes during a period of two days.

"We certainly think it was very inappropriate," Sockwell said. "I just have to keep telling you this was not appropriate."

While some parents and students are sticking with the teachers, some parents agree that it was not the right thing to do.

"It's over the top," one student's father said.

Those that defend the teachers for showing the video are quick to point out that students were given the option to not watch it.

Pamela Harris, 17, did watch.

"It was a teaching matter," she said. "I mean, we're in war, and that's what happens, and he was showing us."

"I don't think they should get fired or anything else. It's history. It's part of life that's going on now," Pamela's mother, Vickie, said.

Student Kristy Vanderwalt didn't think the video was a problem.

"I don't think it's a problem at all that kids saw it. I think that we're all old enough to realize, and if you are sick to the stomach or you don't think that you can handle it, then you are almost an adult and you should be able to say, 'No, I don't want to watch it.' And if you watch it, then you have to deal with the consequences," Vanderwalt said.

One senior said many students had already seen the video, which is available on some Web sites.

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:06 am
by Guest
By the way an ear, nose and throat specialist and surgeon after having checked the video commented that it's almost impossible to behead somebody when still alive without spatters of blood meters long, because of heart still pumping.
The whole room then, the walls, the persons around would be completely splashed by blood.
In addition, the victim could not yell at the top of his voice remaining completely dull.
In his opinion, poor Berg was already dead when beheaded.
That would not make that obscenity better, but at least he did not suffer.
I did not see the video, I'm just reporting a surgeon point of view.

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:10 am
by HurricaneGirl
WOW!

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:39 am
by Brent
PaolofromRome wrote:By the way an ear, nose and throat specialist and surgeon after having checked the video commented that it's almost impossible to behead somebody when still alive without spatters of blood meters long, because of heart still pumping.
The whole room then, the walls, the persons around would be completely splashed by blood.
In addition, the victim could not yell at the top of his voice remaining completely dull.
In his opinion, poor Berg was already dead when beheaded.
That would not make that obscenity better, but at least he did not suffer.
I did not see the video, I'm just reporting a surgeon point of view.


That's very interesting.

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:44 am
by j
hmmmmm.....my only comment is the audio and the video don't match. Haven't really thought about it, just chalked it up to amateur videography.

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 12:52 pm
by StormCrazyIowan
I guess if the students had a choice it shouldn't be such a big deal- I personally would choose not to watch it.

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 7:46 pm
by PTrackerLA
Don't think these teachers should be fired but commen sense would tell you not to show graphic stuff like this in a classroom.

Teachers learn...

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 9:13 pm
by sunnyday
As a teacher, I can't begin to understand what they were thinking to show that!

Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 11:19 pm
by timNms
I agree with you, sunnyday.

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 1:20 am
by george_r_1961
PaolofromRome wrote:By the way an ear, nose and throat specialist and surgeon after having checked the video commented that it's almost impossible to behead somebody when still alive without spatters of blood meters long, because of heart still pumping.
The whole room then, the walls, the persons around would be completely splashed by blood.
In addition, the victim could not yell at the top of his voice remaining completely dull.
In his opinion, poor Berg was already dead when beheaded.
That would not make that obscenity better, but at least he did not suffer.
I did not see the video, I'm just reporting a surgeon point of view.


Paolo good point..i thought of that as well.

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 7:39 am
by Aquawind
Foolish..That is not right and stoops as low as the countries where many children are brought up in the classroom with prejudice and hatered towards westerners..

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:06 am
by WEATHER53
Worst than that they showed some pictures of some really mean looking dogs barking at cowering prisioners. Oh the humanity, where did we go so wrong???????

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:43 am
by swmochic
I'm sorry but the teachers had no business showing that. What next? Public school hangings?

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:45 am
by swmochic
And plus, if they get away with showing videos of people's beheadings, FAKE OR NOT, what's next? stuff???

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:53 am
by rainstorm
PaolofromRome wrote:By the way an ear, nose and throat specialist and surgeon after having checked the video commented that it's almost impossible to behead somebody when still alive without spatters of blood meters long, because of heart still pumping.
The whole room then, the walls, the persons around would be completely splashed by blood.
In addition, the victim could not yell at the top of his voice remaining completely dull.
In his opinion, poor Berg was already dead when beheaded.
That would not make that obscenity better, but at least he did not suffer.
I did not see the video, I'm just reporting a surgeon point of view.


didnt suffer? not sure i agree there. another thing the article doesnt bring up. the teachers were using the video, to bash america. and it was reported on o'rielly the same teachers had regularly bashed the military and bush in the past

Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:02 pm
by blizzard
swmochic wrote:And plus, if they get away with showing videos of people's beheadings, FAKE OR NOT, what's next? stuff???


IMOnot even close to the same thing. Isee no problem in what was done. Maybe a little more discretion could have been used, but sheltering people from what is going on in the world is not the answer either.