If a miniscule fraction of the introspection we bloggers exhibit over our actions and words manifested in those who really, really need to look within themselves, the Moslem world would be on the brink of a profound reformation that would either change the face of their religion, or sunder it completely.

Certain focus has been placed on Kevin Aylward for his posting of Nick Berg’s execution video. Under his encouragement as well as that of Jeff Quinton (whose blog seems down for now), bloggers all over have posted the video with the purest of intentions. Strangely, I have not seen those intentions lead Kevin and others like him down the road to hell.

Kevin’s actions have served both those who needed a snuff film fix as well as those who needed a good slap in the face about who we are dealing with. My opinion on the Berg video has not changed: every thinking American who is of age to understand good and evil, life and death, and the need to make value judgments of their enemies should see it, at least once in their lives. Let it be presented with no commentary. Let it be interpreted by every person the way they see it. But in the end the video is a matter of fact. There is no doubt that some among the many will feel sexually gratified over the video. No doubt, either, that cases of hate crimes may occur, should this have been shown in its entirety on the air. No doubt, it will reeducate others about what to think of Moslems (as in my case), and has led even Zeyad to come out with the truth that though there are moderate Moslems, Islam itself is not moderate in nature.

That those who view this video as an excellent weapon against our enemies — galvanizing our citizenry into action — stand toe to toe with those who touch themselves while watching someone die is not reason enough to keep it away from all of us. Emotional accusations of “cheapness,” descent into “tabloid blogging,” and disrespect for the Berg family change no facts. Five hooded terrorists executed an American in front of a camera and broadcast it on the web. It stopped being about respect for the Berg family once Nick Berg himself faced that lens. That video belongs to the world now, and it was not Kevin Aylward nor Jeff Quinton who decided for us in the first place.

The sad reality is that such events make us squirm not just because an agenda exists, but because we are faced with a choice over which agenda behind which we would like to throw ourselves.