# Alleged James Foley "beheading" video is so incredibly fake. How is anyone buying this bullshit? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 21, 2014, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069 "2014-08-21T07:59:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/341 "2014-08-28T05:03:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I quoted several headlines from the day the story broke that said the video _appeared_ to show Foley’s death. Can _you_ tell me why this is so important to **Rigamarole**? Obviously he can’t, for some fucking reason. You did indeed post several headlines, however most news outlets changed their tune when the US spokespeople said the video was “real” i.e. they “authenticated” it. Which of course has the effect of having people believing what was previously “purported”. ---
**Author:** ![Bouncer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Bouncer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bouncer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/342 "2014-08-28T06:04:00Z")
> [@Darth\_Davidius](#): > > I’d also like to add that (in my opinion only, not speaking for anyone else) it matters (_it_ being whether or not Foley was killed on- or off-camera) because we don’t really have proof _how_ Foley was executed, if he was executed at all. If we’re to understand how ISIS operates, how they think, what makes them tick, we have to know these things. I’m not saying there’s a conspiracy. I’m saying (again, in my opinion only) that the circumstances behind the video and what is actually seen or not seen on that video (i.e., where are they? what weapon is used? are they all talk? are there clues as to the whereabouts of these animals?) gives us much needed insight into how these barbarians work. The video gives more questions than it does answers, is what it all boils down to. > > Really simple to understand, when you stop over-analyzing why “it” matters. Bullshit. Here’s a video of ISIS killing dozens of people. They walk them up to the edge of a river and shoot them in the head one after the other. For minutes at a time. This IS how ISIS works. They also kill dozens of people with automatic weapons fire in a mass pit. This IS how ISIS works. I don’t know how much more proof anyone needs. Edit to add: The below video is beyond “disturbing” or “NSFW”. It’s people being murdered one after the other. I don’t recommend it and I will never watch it again. [spoiler] > **[L'Etat islamique en Irak... Comme Satan, « Allah aime ceux qui vont jusqu’à...](https://gloria.tv/?language=ypC7nuVcYwSj66r2P3eNDSo8U&post=vWiX2HAVHp8D1seLERRQvjGcv)** Or do you also think all this is faked with CPR dummies and the like? And that we need to watch hours more of this murder porn in order to “understand” ISIS. It’s self explanatory, no interpretation or evaluation needed. They are straight up homicidal maniacs beyond redemption. There is little doubt that they killed Foley. There is little doubt that they did so in one of the most brutal manners possible. On camera or off camera they are the same animals. We need to wipe them from the planet. We really do. There is no redeeming them. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/343 "2014-08-28T10:53:10Z")
Thank you, Bouncer & btw, great combination of User Name & Post. ---
**Author:** ![half-elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@half-elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/half-elf)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/344 "2014-08-28T11:24:26Z")
Fucking hell. I would really like to know what the victims were saying when they were talking to the camera. Also, I was a bit surprised that everybody seemed relatively … I dunno… calm ? Nobody was struggling. But perhaps they were just broken and resigned to their fate. Bloody fucking hell. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/345 "2014-08-28T12:08:03Z")
> [@Darth\_Davidius](#): > > I understand some are paying attention more to _how_ he said it rather that _what_ he said, but he made his point and he was right. Complete and utter horse shit. Go back and read the OP again. He had 3 points to make the main one being that people that believed the video showed a beheading were “fucking morons”. Easily false. I don’t live for validating news outlets. If a large majority of news outlets are claiming there is a video of an alleged beheading of a prisoner of a group known to callously murder, I’ll go with it. Even it later turns out not to be the case, it does not make me a moron. His second point was that the beheading itself was faked. His speculations might prove true, but it was only speculation at the time. He didn’t know. You are right, though, that he didn’t do himself any favors by painting anyone who didn’t agree as a fucking moron. His last point was that the still showed a “really badly Photshopped” image. At this point not demonstrated as true. > [@](#): > > This PG-13 shit is a joke. It makes me angry that people are acting like it’s real “omg let’s bomb ISIS because DECAPITATION!” and it’s actually on the news, being accepted as real. There was a decapitation. It’s stupid to jump the conclusion that this is some sort of government conspiracy just because you suspect the IS video was staged. 1 out 3? Sorry, I don’t call that “on point”. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/346 "2014-08-28T13:40:06Z")
Sorry if I missed it, but did anybody come up with a reasonable motive for them to fake it instead of actually doing it? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/347 "2014-08-28T13:56:50Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Sorry if I missed it, but did anybody come up with a reasonable motive for them to fake it instead of actually doing it? Sort of. There are some plausible reasonable explanations for why they would splice a practice execution with a later shot of the clearly separated head. These include Foley saying something they wouldn’t want to get out or Foley struggling or something in the execution not looking like it was a simple, clean cut and dried operation. But nobody has yet come up with a reasonable motive for why ISIS would fake the entire thing including the actual execution. Among the unreasonable motives are typical conspiracy theory BS. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/348 "2014-08-28T14:28:43Z")
> [@EasyPhil](#): > > You did indeed post several headlines, however most news outlets changed their tune when the US spokespeople said the video was “real” i.e. they “authenticated” it. Prove it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/349 "2014-08-28T14:54:44Z")
[Moderating] **Bouncer** , if you’re going to link to disturbing, sexualized, or otherwise NSFW content, please observe the “two-click” rule and put the link behind spoiler tags. I’ve edited your post to add in the spoilers. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/350 "2014-08-28T15:36:00Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Prove it. > **[U.S. Authenticates Video Of Militants Beheading American Journalist](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/08/20/341836683/video-purports-to-show-beheading-of-u-s-journalist-by-militants)** > > A video in which the extremist group the Islamic State claims to execute American journalist James Foley is authentic, according to U.S. intelligence analysts. Foley was abducted in Syria in 2012. > [@](#): > > U.S. Authenticates Video Of Militants Beheading American Journalist ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/351 "2014-08-28T15:37:36Z")
I guess you’re giving up. That’s a smart move, but you should’ve done it pages ago. Wait, this is even better: > [@First sentence of the article](#): > > A video that was released online Tuesday in which the extremist group the Islamic State claimed to behead American journalist James Foley is authentic, according to U.S. intelligence analysts. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/352 "2014-08-28T15:43:39Z")
Claim: state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof. Authenticate: prove or show (something, especially a claim or an artistic work) to be true or genuine. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/353 "2014-08-28T15:46:46Z")
And that one story is your proof that “most news outlets changed their tune.” ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/354 "2014-08-28T15:48:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And that one story is your proof that “most news outlets changed their tune.” Most news outlets get their news from a single source. Thank me for enlightening you of this fact. Ignorance fought…next! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/355 "2014-08-28T15:53:31Z")
> [@EasyPhil](#): > > Most news outlets get their news from a single source. What do you believe this gibberish means? In the meantime [here’s Reuters saying, citing U.S. officials, that the video “appears to be authentic.”](http://www.ibtimes.com/james-foley-beheading-video-appears-be-authentic-us-officials-1663524) That story links to [an AP story that describes the contents of the video in detail](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/us-authenticating-video-americans-killing). ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/356 "2014-08-28T16:00:09Z")
> **[Yahoo News: Latest and Breaking News, Headlines, Live Updates, and More](https://news.yahoo.com/)** > > The latest news and headlines from Yahoo News. Get breaking news stories and in-depth coverage with videos and photos. > [@](#): > > The U.S. Intelligence Community has analyzed the recently released video showing U.S. citizens James Foley and Steven Sotloff. We have reached the judgment that this video is authentic. We will continue to provide updates as they are available. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/357 "2014-08-28T16:08:50Z")
How were they defining “authentic?” I’m inclined to blame poor reportage. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/358 "2014-08-28T16:10:03Z")
[http://www.usnews.com/news/newsgram/articles/2014/08/20/us-officials-confirm-islamic-state-video-of-journalist-james-foleys-beheading](http://www.usnews.com/news/newsgram/articles/2014/08/20/us-officials-confirm-islamic-state-video-of-journalist-james-foleys-beheading) > [@](#): > > U.S. Officials Confirm Authenticity of Beheading Video ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/359 "2014-08-28T16:11:14Z")
Now you’re too lazy to bother with full sentences? Anyway- exciting news, you guys! I found a photo of our resident genius, **EasyPhil**! [Here he’s deep in thought as he prepares to compose another post.](http://www.anatomystuff.co.uk/product-basic-billy-cpr-simulator_247545.aspx) [Here he is after a big dinner.](http://www.anatomystuff.co.uk/product-fat-old-fred-cpr-manikin-black_247073.aspx) [Here he is hanging out with **Rigamarole** and their roommate/mentor, Manny.](http://www.cpr-savers.com/Prestan-Adult-CPR-Manikin-4-Pack-Options-Available_p_1272.html) ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069/360 "2014-08-28T16:12:04Z")
> [@andros](#): > > How were they defining “authentic?” > > I’m inclined to blame poor reportage. That’s a good question…if someone says to you: “This Rolex is authentic” What does that mean to you? That it might be “authentic”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-james-foley-beheading-video-is-so-incredibly-fake-how-is-anyone-buying-this-bullshit/696069.md?page=19)