From the New York Daily News, :
WASHINGTON – After mocking President Bush as an arrogant “Christian dog,” terrorists beheaded American hostage Eugene Armstrong in Iraq yesterday and posted a horrific video of his murder on an Islamic Web site.
A helpless and clearly terrified Armstrong was forced to await his brutal death until a preening militant read a taunting, hate-filled statement for the camera. Then the masked militant cut Armstrong’s throat, sawed off his head and held it aloft.
The militant group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility and threatened to behead another hostage – American Jack Hensley or Briton Kenneth Bigley – unless Iraqi women held by the U.S. were released within 24 hours.
The chilling, nine-minute video, similar to one of the beheading of American Nick Berg last April, began with the blindfolded and bound Armstrong, of Hillsdale, Mich., sitting on the floor wearing an orange jumpsuit. He swayed from side to side, then back and forth.
Behind him stood five masked and black-clad terrorists, four carrying assault rifles. The banner of al-Zarqawi’s Tawhid and Jihad terror group was tacked to a wall.
“Now, you have people who love death just like you love life. Killing for the sake of God is their best wish, getting to your soldiers and allies are their happiest moments, and cutting the heads of the criminal infidels is implementing the orders of our lord,” the statement said.
“Oh, you Christian dog Bush, stop your arrogance.”