One more thing: More on the execution of Saddam Hussein
Red,
Thanks for your comment. The point of my post, and I think of Mr. McCarty’s original and subsequent post as well, is that it’s not the execution of a tyrant that is at issue (although I’m happy to debate capital punishment and think it should be debated.)
What is disturbing to me and what I find obscene and sad and horrible is the public circus that has resulted in millions of people slavering to be voyeurs and pumping themselves up by watching what is essentially a snuff film.
There may indeed be a place for state sanctioned executions this side of paradise (however you define paradise). What I think we are witnessing is not state sanctioned execution. It is something else entirely dressed up and posing as a state sanctioned execution.
What I think is happening is that millions of people are now infected with the same kind of callous cruelty that Saddam himself exhibited in torturing and killing all those innocent people.
Some people who are directly connected to his atrocities maybe needed to witness his death. Some officials needed to witness it so that it can’t be claimed later that he isn’t actually dead. Beyond that, those that feel a need to see it are capitulating to their own basest natures. And I just don’t see that as a place to claim any moral “high road” either for an individual or a society.
I have not watched the video and I hope that I never have to. The still photo of him standing with the noose around his neck is enough for me. From it I get the feeling that this wasn’t an execution but more a lynching with a world-wide mob in attendance. I don’t want to be part of a mob. I don’t want to be near a mob. Mobs are dangerous entities that do not think; mobs do not use their compassion or empathy. Mobs, by their nature are cruel and dangerous and deadly. Just like Saddam was.
I admit that I assume that those who seek out this video do so with the intent of getting a vicarious thrill out of watching it. I think that’s dangerous. I think it’s disgusting and I think it diminishes the person who watches it. Just as I think everything that Saddam himself ordered, watched and did to people was disgusting and diminished him.
Just as I think it is disgusting that people get a thrill out of torturing and killing animals. (No, I’m not talking about food industry or hunting. I mean those sick individuals who torture and kill animals because they are sick and twisted.)
However: It’s got nothing to do with the humanity or lack of humanity of the being that is killed.
It has to do with how much humanity is being utilized by the ones doing the killing.
Also, I think it’s really odd for a country that gets itself all in a twitter about “right to life” issues (see: Terri Schivo at least) would become so ravenous for this type of putrid disregard of decency.
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:22 pm
hear. hear.