American journalist killed by Islamic militants in brutal fashion. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/jou ... lled-iraq/
What is the purpose? Surely, they do not think it will affect US policy...and it angers ordinary Americans (like me) like just about nothing else.

Anger? I think it's more fear they are going for.

combination of both, perhaps. Who can say what drives terrorists, kidnappers, murderers, etc.

I wonder what the American response will be...

bbauska wrote:I wonder what the American response will be...

By now, you've seen the response.

Shocking as it may be, we've all seen this before. Just "old school" tactics by the medieval-minds of religious zealotry. Loping off the head of another "American" overseas is not going to send anybody to the bomb shelters. Not that we have become inured to it; just that we recognize this for the infantile and publicity-minded trick that it is. And isn't it ironic that a journalist dies "in the line of duty" as it were, and becomes the subject of a publicized photo op, the kind of news story that journalists love to report and repeat. It's like the proverbial snake, eating itself. On a personal level, it is a sad event. But on the World's Stage (e.g. CNN), it's just another round of political brinksmanship. Those people may have their minds stuck in the 16th century, but they like our 21st century tools.

Of course, anybody who deliberately goes into harm's way better be realistic about the risks. Being a journalist does not grant you absolution or safety in a war zone (can you say "Ernie Pyle"?) or a region popular with terrorists (e.g. Daniel Pearl).