As outraged Americans await the condemnation of civilized nations in response to the subhuman murder of Nicholas Berg by al-Qaida, I fear that the majority of the Arab world and their apologists around the globe (and in Congress) will sadly turn even this event into an opportunity to bash President Bush and claim that “we had it coming” because of the humiliation of prisoners at Abu Ghraib or our liberation of Iraq.

While one would hope that such criticism would be confined to uninformed zealots who actually consider Al Jazeera to be a news organization, the celebratory dancing in the streets around the world after Sept. 11 leaves one with the inescapable conclusion that schadenfreude (joy derived from the grief of others) is the norm when the U.S. is involved.

As the once disputed link between al-Qaida and Iraq becomes ever clearer, one hopes that the modern day Chamberlains of the world will not sit this one out in the hope that appeasement will keep terrorists at bay.

None of this excuses our responsibility to investigate and punish those involved at Abu Ghraib. We Americans rightfully hold ourselves to a higher standard than our combatants. However, those responsible for the cowardly murder of Nicholas Berg will hopefully soon learn that our determination to bring these animals to justice is as enduring as the flame at Arlington. Revenge is a dish best served cold. I hope to be around at mealtime.

Robert D. Beauchesne, Lewiston