Shannon Larratt is Zentastic

Note: I've added more links to the bottom of this entry since it was first posted. Please consider checking them out, but don't forget the tinfoil for your hat… Anyway, I don't normally do this, but I've seen this document floating around the net now, and I thought a few of the points were interesting (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, and 12). Interpret these allegations that the Berg video was manufactured by the CIA (or whoever) as you see fit.

Extremely convenient "wag the dog" timing at the height of furor regarding U.S. torture of Iraqis CNN poll question: "Is the Berg killing a reason for withholding any remaining Iraq prisoner abuse pictures?" Bush has been reported to be struggling with question of whether Pentagon should release additional torture photos. Given that the alleged decapitation of Berg was allegedly prompted by the first wave of torture photos, Bush could now cite "national security" issues for witholding additional materials. Berg's last known whereabouts was in U.S. custody. Berg shown in video wearing orange jumpsuit known to be of U.S. issue (compare with pictures at Guantanamo). Berg mysteriously captured by Al-Quaeda (still wearing jumpsuit). Either he escaped from U.S. captors or U.S. let him out -- with orange suit and all -- to be immediately apprehended by Al-Quaeda (before he had a chance to change). Tape obviously spliced together and heavily edited. Goes from a) Berg sitting in chair talking about family, to b) Berg sitting on floor with hooded "militants" behind, to c) blurry camera movement, to d) almost motionless Berg on floor as head cut off. Audio clearly dubbed in. "Arab" reader flips through pages of "statement" and keeps ending up on the same page. Perhaps doesn't even known enough Arabic to recognize what page he's on? "Arabs" have lily-white hands and (other exposed) skin. "Arabs" have Western-style body posture and mannerisms. When Berg decapitated, there was almost no blood. If Berg were still alive at this point, with the cut starting at front of throat, blood would have been spraying everywhere. Berg's severed head, the floor, Berg's clothes, and even the hand of the "Arab" who decapitated Berg had no visible blood on it. Berg's body didn't move while on the ground. Although held down, Berg would have tried to instinctively wiggle and writhe away from captor's grip. Camera angle made it impossible to see if Berg's eyes were even open. Alleged "scream" from Berg sounded to be that of a woman and was clearly dubbed in. Berg goes to great trouble to identify himself, providing information about his family. Why? To elicit greater sympathy? Or to provide a positive ID. FBI visited Berg family in an attempt to "verify his identity". Guy in video looks very little like Berg photos provided by family.