Body Shop Bombed?
This is just surreal:
The bodies were found already wrapped in blankets under the debris of the building. I'm trying to think of rational reasons that Lebanese would keep pre-packaged corpses in their homes, and I'm coming up with nothing. Nada. Zip. One irrational explanation is that some bodies are being saved by Hezbollah to use in photo ops at a later date, and that the Hezbollah Body Shop (for lack of a better term) got hit, and buried those that should already have been buried. But that's just nuts. Hezbollah would never use corpses to stage a media event. Ever. Update: Same photographer, different angle, similarly-worded caption:
Lebanese civil defense rescuers, try to remove two blanket-wrapped bodies, found trapped under debris and concrete of the destroyed buildings, attacked late Monday by Israeli airstrike, in the southern Beirut suburb of Chiah, Lebanon, Tuesday Aug. 8, 2006. The raid on the Muslim southern suburb next to a Christian neighborhood killed at least 15 people, police officials said. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
And another. So either he really does mean to imply the bodies were blanket-wrapped when found, or his preciseness with the English language is right up there with Adnan Hajj's PhotoShop skills. Further Update It seems Malla was also one of the photographers that took one of the pictures of Twice-Bombed Lady, and was hanging out with with fired Reuters stringer Adnan Hajj, he of the questionable llama picture, among others. Update: Dig this. From Brian Denton, a photographer in Lebanon, at photography forum LightStalkers:
Lebanese civil defense rescuer directs a buldozer as he stands next to a two blanket-wrapped bodies, center, found trapped under the destroyed buildings, which were attacked late Monday in an Israeli airstrike, in the southern Beirut suburb of Chiah, Lebanon, Tuesday Aug. 8, 2006. The raid on the Muslim southern suburb next to a Christian neighborhood killed at least 15 people, police officials said. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
i have been working in lebanon since all this started, and seeing the behavior of many of the lebanese wire service photographers has been a bit unsettling. while hajj has garnered a lot of attention for his doctoring of images digitally, whether guilty or not, i have been witness to the daily practice of directed shots, one case where a group of wire photogs were choreographing the unearthing of bodies, directing emergency workers here and there, asking them to position bodies just so, even remove bodies that have already been put in graves so that they can photograph them in peoples arms. these photographers have come away with powerful shots, that required no manipulation digitally, but instead, manipulation on a human level, and this itself is a bigger ethical problem.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:53 PM
Comments
1
Move your rockets to a specific urban location.
Cart along a couple of corpses.
shoot off rockets to kill Israelis,
and reveal your position.
Run away.
Israeli attacks the recently vacated position,
and look,
we see dead people.
Bad bad Israelis!
Cart along a couple of corpses.
shoot off rockets to kill Israelis,
and reveal your position.
Run away.
Israeli attacks the recently vacated position,
and look,
we see dead people.
Bad bad Israelis!
Posted by: bains at August 08, 2006 04:08 PM (oemUk)
2
To be fair, it doesn't specify that "blanketwrapped bodies" were found under debris, though that is one explanation. Since we have to assume that the photographer is sympathetic to Hizbollah, though, we must also assume that he wouldn't have included that detail if the caption is meant to be read in the manner in which you read it.
Posted by: DaveS at August 08, 2006 04:19 PM (kC3nL)
3
Ooops... that came out wrong. To be fair, it doesn't specify that the bodies were wrapped in blankets at the time that they were found.
Posted by: DaveS at August 08, 2006 04:26 PM (kC3nL)
4
Hmm. The bodies are not wrapped in a way that suggests the victims were sleeping. Well, let's take a look at Hezbollah, shall we?
1) Hezbollah controls press access to the area. No matter when or where -- they control it.
2) Hezbollah has been proven to make up stories before. (Jenin, among others.)
3) The press operates out of fear. That is why so few N. American presses ran the Mohammed cartoons. Remember the Boston Globe's admission on that one? Hezbollah deals in fear. The press goes along.
4) Terror organizations use the media to get across their messages. Bin Laden's tapes, to Iraq beheading videos, and on and on.
5) There is no absolute truth in Islam. Lying is encouraged (takkiya) if it beneftis Muslims in the time of war.
Now, with all this as a backdrop, let's just say that Hezbollah's credibility is extremely low. Anyone who swallows what they've been spoon-feeding the gulliable Western press should be ashamed.
1) Hezbollah controls press access to the area. No matter when or where -- they control it.
2) Hezbollah has been proven to make up stories before. (Jenin, among others.)
3) The press operates out of fear. That is why so few N. American presses ran the Mohammed cartoons. Remember the Boston Globe's admission on that one? Hezbollah deals in fear. The press goes along.
4) Terror organizations use the media to get across their messages. Bin Laden's tapes, to Iraq beheading videos, and on and on.
5) There is no absolute truth in Islam. Lying is encouraged (takkiya) if it beneftis Muslims in the time of war.
Now, with all this as a backdrop, let's just say that Hezbollah's credibility is extremely low. Anyone who swallows what they've been spoon-feeding the gulliable Western press should be ashamed.
Posted by: InRussetShadows at August 08, 2006 04:56 PM (dYwY/)
5
What makes this more interesting is the fact that the Israelis are leafletting areas before they bomb them to allow civilians to escape....
Would that same information make it easier to know where to stash a few handy corpses?
Nah... that's too paranoid of me. I reject my own suggestion.
Would that same information make it easier to know where to stash a few handy corpses?
Nah... that's too paranoid of me. I reject my own suggestion.
Posted by: Lokki at August 08, 2006 05:08 PM (wSBsc)
6
Whatever Israel does, the neocon damage control team rolls in to nibble at the edges of the story's credibility. But there are ALWAYS hole in every narrative, and the notion that the Arabs have invented wartime spin must cause many a glass to clink behind closed doors in Hollywood.
Are we really being asked to believe that the Palestinians have an advantage in the US media? That defies reason by any head count, whether on television. the newspapers or in the movies. I cannot even name a prominent arab-american voice anywhere in the US media.Yet Wolf Blitzer, formerly of AIPAC, is our "honest broker"?" Please!
Whatever Israel does, the neocon damage control team rolls in to nibble at the edges of the story's credibility. But there are ALWAYS hole in every narrative, and the notion that the Arabs have invented wartime spin must cause many a glass to clink behind closed doors in Hollywood.
Are we really being asked to believe that the Palestinians have an advantage in the US media? That defies reason by any head count, whether on television. the newspapers or in the movies. I cannot even name a prominent arab-american voice anywhere in the US media.Yet Wolf Blitzer, formerly of AIPAC, is our "honest broker"?" Please!
Posted by: skip at August 08, 2006 05:44 PM (JxU2K)
7
But there are ALWAYS hole in every narrative
If they're fabricates ones there certainly is.
Truth OTOH stands on its own and is irrefutable -- because it is absolute.
If they're fabricates ones there certainly is.
Truth OTOH stands on its own and is irrefutable -- because it is absolute.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at August 08, 2006 06:05 PM (c/xwT)
8
The interesting part is the complete lack of attention on how the Hezzies orchestrate these civilian casualties while focusing their fire purely on Israeli civilians.
Typical MSM/TSM bias, of course, but their ability to focus solely on the Hezzie/Arab propaganda without even the littlest sop to objective reality or the basics of civilized war must require a lot of effort.
And, skippy, bias isn't the same as identity politics. Ya gotta get your memes straight.
Typical MSM/TSM bias, of course, but their ability to focus solely on the Hezzie/Arab propaganda without even the littlest sop to objective reality or the basics of civilized war must require a lot of effort.
And, skippy, bias isn't the same as identity politics. Ya gotta get your memes straight.
Posted by: iconoclast at August 08, 2006 09:52 PM (Jpc2l)
9
Judging from all the photos that came out of the Qana incident, one can safely assume that these bodies were not wrapped in the field, right after being located. If anything, the bodies would have been paraded for at least an hour, making sure that any photographer within a 3-mile radius got a shot.
Posted by: dna at August 09, 2006 12:21 PM (xjpGM)
10
My understanding is that Hezbolleh has a special corpse-launching mortar stationed at a central location in each major city in Lebanon. Whenever an Israeli rocket lands, Hezbolleh launches a couple of prepared bodies in a high arc over the city to the recently-hit building. The bodies land, and the force of the impact creates "wounds" consistent with being at ground zero when a missile lands.
I mean, it's the only reasonable possibility.
I mean, it's the only reasonable possibility.
Posted by: Michael at August 09, 2006 01:24 PM (73MDr)
11
skip wrote:
Whatever Israel does, the neocon damage control team rolls in to nibble at the edges of the story's credibility. But there are ALWAYS hole in every narrative, and the notion that the Arabs have invented wartime spin must cause many a glass to clink behind closed doors in Hollywood.
Admit it -- after the first picture of a child's body in Qana, you broke down, started crying, and went into the fetal position. After that, you accepted anything that your Hizballords said.
Anyway, if you were capable of independed thinking, then you would've come to wonder what's up with White Shirt, and his camera posings. There are plenty of photos out there, but you can see what I'm talking about by looking at the pictures posted on EU Referendum. Notice how White Shirt doesn't display any emotion while in the "basement", and the two red cross guys are carrying out the girl, while later, he can be seen running with the girl and putting on an anguished face. Following that, another guy takes a picture with her.
Just keep babbeling about neo-cons while ignoring facts.
Whatever Israel does, the neocon damage control team rolls in to nibble at the edges of the story's credibility. But there are ALWAYS hole in every narrative, and the notion that the Arabs have invented wartime spin must cause many a glass to clink behind closed doors in Hollywood.
Admit it -- after the first picture of a child's body in Qana, you broke down, started crying, and went into the fetal position. After that, you accepted anything that your Hizballords said.
Anyway, if you were capable of independed thinking, then you would've come to wonder what's up with White Shirt, and his camera posings. There are plenty of photos out there, but you can see what I'm talking about by looking at the pictures posted on EU Referendum. Notice how White Shirt doesn't display any emotion while in the "basement", and the two red cross guys are carrying out the girl, while later, he can be seen running with the girl and putting on an anguished face. Following that, another guy takes a picture with her.
Just keep babbeling about neo-cons while ignoring facts.
Posted by: dna at August 09, 2006 02:15 PM (xjpGM)
12
Maybe they were saving them for dinner? 
Posted by: Dave at August 10, 2006 05:53 AM (T5XyM)
13
You know, instead of trying to manufacture conspiracy theories you might just realise that of course those corpses were only wrapped in blankets after they were found, which is a perfectly natural thing to do. Bog standard procedure during any disaster, natural or IDF caused, is to spare the victims some dignity by wrapping them up before moving.
I can't believe I just spent thirty seconds havint to explain this to you.
I can't believe I just spent thirty seconds havint to explain this to you.
Posted by: Martin Wisse at August 10, 2006 05:56 AM (Nggyy)
14
Um, one rational explanation is that, um, the caption says that the bodies were found trapped under debris, and also that they were wrapped in blankets, but does not, er, in any way specify that they were already, um, wrapped in blankets when they were found trapped under debris.
Or wait, try it this way. There's a photo that shows a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato that I made on the grill and ate for lunch:
Confederate Yankee: “I’m trying to think of a rational explanation for how someone could put an object made of beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a bun on a grill, yet somehow only the beef shows signs of frying. I’m coming up with nothing. Also, how is it possible to take a picture of a cheeseburger that is already eaten?”
There’s a Claremont fellowship in store for Mr. Yankee, no foolin’.
Or wait, try it this way. There's a photo that shows a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato that I made on the grill and ate for lunch:
Confederate Yankee: “I’m trying to think of a rational explanation for how someone could put an object made of beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a bun on a grill, yet somehow only the beef shows signs of frying. I’m coming up with nothing. Also, how is it possible to take a picture of a cheeseburger that is already eaten?”
There’s a Claremont fellowship in store for Mr. Yankee, no foolin’.
Posted by: blackshire at August 10, 2006 09:26 AM (nCSsq)
15
Wow, you really aren't the brightest byte in blogdom, are you?
You realize that the caption doesn't, in any way, imply that the bodies were FOUND in blankets?
Go back to the drawing board, swiftie. I'm not sure why anyone would aspire to hit the heights of Little Green Footballs, but even with those low standards, you fall short in every way imaginable. Nice job.
You realize that the caption doesn't, in any way, imply that the bodies were FOUND in blankets?
Go back to the drawing board, swiftie. I'm not sure why anyone would aspire to hit the heights of Little Green Footballs, but even with those low standards, you fall short in every way imaginable. Nice job.
Posted by: beedlebaum at August 10, 2006 04:16 PM (vENsJ)
16
Um...question.
If they're trying to remove the bodies trapped under the rubble, well...
How do you wrap a body that's trapped *under* rubble? Wouldn't you have to un-trap the body in order to *wrap* it? I mean, *covering* it when found, maybe, sure, but *wrapping* it? If it's partway buried or obscured by debris in such a way that it has to be un-trapped? How do you wrap something like that?
Just sayin'.
If they're trying to remove the bodies trapped under the rubble, well...
How do you wrap a body that's trapped *under* rubble? Wouldn't you have to un-trap the body in order to *wrap* it? I mean, *covering* it when found, maybe, sure, but *wrapping* it? If it's partway buried or obscured by debris in such a way that it has to be un-trapped? How do you wrap something like that?
Just sayin'.
Posted by: Bill Reach at August 10, 2006 08:04 PM (CyuEc)
17
Um...question.
If they're trying to remove the bodies trapped under the rubble, well...
How do you wrap a body that's trapped *under* rubble? Wouldn't you have to un-trap the body in order to *wrap* it? I mean, *covering* it when found, maybe, sure, but *wrapping* it? If it's partway buried or obscured by debris in such a way that it has to be un-trapped? How do you wrap something like that?
Just sayin'.
If they're trying to remove the bodies trapped under the rubble, well...
How do you wrap a body that's trapped *under* rubble? Wouldn't you have to un-trap the body in order to *wrap* it? I mean, *covering* it when found, maybe, sure, but *wrapping* it? If it's partway buried or obscured by debris in such a way that it has to be un-trapped? How do you wrap something like that?
Just sayin'.
Posted by: Bill Reach at August 10, 2006 08:06 PM (CyuEc)
18
Couldn't "blanket-wrapped bodies" mean that they wrapped themselves in blankets before they were killed? We can't tell from the photo that they're wrapped completely (i.e., face and everything, as a corpse would be by another). Just that they're wrapped (and clearly appear to have been found that way).
Posted by: Jim at August 13, 2006 01:06 AM (ZUxAa)
19
The raid on the Muslim southern suburb next to a Christian neighborhood
Am I the only one that finds this language incredibly awkward? What difference does it make if the suburb was next to a Christian neighborhood? The caption writer didn't just add this to make it look like the Israelis were targeting Christians too, knowing that most folks just glance at a caption, did he/she?
Am I the only one that finds this language incredibly awkward? What difference does it make if the suburb was next to a Christian neighborhood? The caption writer didn't just add this to make it look like the Israelis were targeting Christians too, knowing that most folks just glance at a caption, did he/she?
Posted by: Bozoer Rebbe at August 13, 2006 01:46 AM (3+Uhm)
20
Lets see the few facts we can understand trough this photo...
1) The bodies are fully wrapped (even from below), before being "rescued".
2) There are very few pictures of the moment.
What makes me get to some conclusion (obviously "my" conclusions, you can make yours if you want).
1) "Somebody" is manipulating the media in the area.
2) "Something" slipped from "Somebody"'s censorship.
1) The bodies are fully wrapped (even from below), before being "rescued".
2) There are very few pictures of the moment.
What makes me get to some conclusion (obviously "my" conclusions, you can make yours if you want).
1) "Somebody" is manipulating the media in the area.
2) "Something" slipped from "Somebody"'s censorship.
Posted by: malki at August 13, 2006 05:13 AM (sqXic)
21
Apparently, no one told you about Operation Zionist Scapegoat yet, CY. Sorry about that. Aren't you on Green Helmet's mailing list?
Posted by: Andy at August 13, 2006 04:35 PM (1JunT)
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