Godot 148 Posted December 31, 2006 As a journalist I've been wondering about those images of Saddam hanging and their implications for media coverage. Within a week millions are likely to have seen them on the internet, children as well as adults. We live in a world where the democratisation of the media is defeating censorship. Is this a good thing? I think it's hard to see something like Saddam's execution and remain in favour of the death penalty. Unless such images serve to harden existing attitudes or to desensitise the sensitive. Some may argue that watching an execution is akin to watching pornography. I would have some sympathy with that conclusion. But if these things happen should they happen behind closed doors, maintaining the pretence that people are civilised? Or should we watch the lot and award marks out of ten as MPFC does in his honest appreciation of ghoulishness? It might pep up the Chanel 4 "hundred best" series, if it had 100 best executions. f**ked if I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imitationleather 0 Posted December 31, 2006 Oh, I wouldn't worry about it. The footage is far too fuzzy and shaky to desensitise anyone. Apart from desensitising them to shoddy camerawork, that is. Actually, that'd be awful. BAN THIS SICK FILTH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,017 Posted December 31, 2006 On a serious note I'm against the death penalty for the simple reason that it seems to me to serve very little useful purpose. From the ham fisted camera work to the cheap one-liners chanted by chancers at Saddam's execution the whole thing was unsatisfactory as justice, justice being seen to be done and any kind of useful contribution to calming the chaos in Iraq. It'll fuel the 'insurgents' for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,397 Posted December 31, 2006 Is this a good thing? I think it's hard to see something like Saddam's execution and remain in favour of the death penalty. Unless such images serve to harden existing attitudes or to desensitise the sensitive. Some may argue that watching an execution is akin to watching pornography. I would have some sympathy with that conclusion. But if these things happen should they happen behind closed doors, maintaining the pretence that people are civilised? Or should we watch the lot and award marks out of ten as MPFC does in his honest appreciation of ghoulishness? It might pep up the Chanel 4 "hundred best" series, if it had 100 best executions. f**ked if I know. As am I. I'm against the DP on ethical and practical grounds, but I can't say I'm sorry SH is executed. I would have preferred the "Ceauşescu approach" (being shot immediately after capture and a short tribunal) rather than the trial we witnessed, but what to do with a captured genocidal dictator? With regards to watching the execution footage: I admit I've watched the linked-to movie with interest. I like the comparison with watching pr0n, shaky as it is. I think neither should be normal TV fare, but I don't mind that it's available. I don't think executing people is civilised, whether it's done live on television or behind closed doors. regards, Hein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Pooka 24 Posted December 31, 2006 Is this a good thing? I think it's hard to see something like Saddam's execution and remain in favour of the death penalty. Unless such images serve to harden existing attitudes or to desensitise the sensitive. Some may argue that watching an execution is akin to watching pornography. I would have some sympathy with that conclusion. But if these things happen should they happen behind closed doors, maintaining the pretence that people are civilised? Or should we watch the lot and award marks out of ten as MPFC does in his honest appreciation of ghoulishness? It might pep up the Chanel 4 "hundred best" series, if it had 100 best executions. f**ked if I know. As am I. I'm against the DP on ethical and practical grounds, but I can't say I'm sorry SH is executed. I would have preferred the "Ceauşescu approach" (being shot immediately after capture and a short tribunal) rather than the trial we witnessed, but what to do with a captured genocidal dictator? With regards to watching the execution footage: I admit I've watched the linked-to movie with interest. I like the comparison with watching pr0n, shaky as it is. I think neither should be normal TV fare, but I don't mind that it's available. I don't think executing people is civilised, whether it's done live on television or behind closed doors. regards, Hein Agree MH - didn't enjoy the footage having searched for it! Frankly, I thought that Saddam exited with dignity and courage. Something, of course, that he wouldn't have allowed his victims. What Iraq most needs more than ever now is a strong leader, with the wisdom to recognise that freedom of expression can only lead to chaos and anarchy, able to unite its disparate elements through the ruthless suppression of dissidence and by focusing attention on perceived external enemies such as the USA, Iran and Kuwait. If only such a man existed .......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_fan 41 Posted December 31, 2006 What Iraq most needs more than ever now is a strong leader, with the wisdom to recognise that freedom of expression can only lead to chaos and anarchy, able to unite its disparate elements through the ruthless suppression of dissidence and by focusing attention on perceived external enemies such as the USA, Iran and Kuwait. If only such a man existed .......... In other words, another dictator, as it does not look like democracy is working for them. All that the Americans have done has resulted in that country going in a full circle back to the time just before the Baath Party dictatorship was established. It is ironic how history ends up repeating itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrunoBrimley 83 Posted January 1, 2007 On a serious note I'm against the death penalty for the simple reason that it seems to me to serve very little useful purpose. From the ham fisted camera work to the cheap one-liners chanted by chancers at Saddam's execution the whole thing was unsatisfactory as justice, justice being seen to be done and any kind of useful contribution to calming the chaos in Iraq. It'll fuel the 'insurgents' for sure. I find myself in agrreement. Having read the news reports today which show the lopsided chaos which is now overrunning Iraq; since there is a huge portion of populace which is aghast (to put it nicely) at what has happened. If Saddam could be issued this so called justice then Allah/God/Buddha or whoever help those against the current regime. Let's see, they bypassed Iraqi law, they ripped him out of bed during the wee hours of the morning....hey the guy knew he was going to hang there was no reason to disturb that nifty night of slumber. Could have held off another day. But as I say, the big scare here is how the so called Iraqi laws which the Shiites are ignoring. It is not wise to find oneself as a Sunni over in Iraq right about now. The entire thing is disgraceful. Resteth in Peace Saddam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted January 2, 2007 Sadam himself seemed to be very fond of the DP, I mean who put those gallows there in the first place? oh and btw: Hello everyone and good luck for 2007! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy Ronnie 77 Posted January 2, 2007 So it turns out the US was trying to get the execution delayed a couple of weeks. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/02/...tion/index.html If they couldn't get the Iraqi government, perhaps the most ineffectual and impotent ruling body in the world, to delay things a bit so DL could nab some nice low hanging January fruit, then it really is time to give up hope and send the troops home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Die 63 Posted January 2, 2007 Saddam lookalike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrunoBrimley 83 Posted January 2, 2007 Yes saddam hussein was executed, and i do not beleive in the death penalty, even though he was a vile mass murderer. Spooky to say the least....you registered here on Saddam's birthday last year....possibly his last birthday (depends on whether you believe it was he or another who was hanged). Tell us more about yourself misswhisp....are you single? Do you know all the words to Jesus Christ Superstar? Anyway......back to that registration date..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harvester Of Souls 40 Posted January 3, 2007 Filming his execution, on a mobile phone, and then plastering it on the internet pretty much sums up humanity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Death Watch Beatle 40 Posted January 3, 2007 The radio news is suggesting that Saddam's two henchmen are due for execution tomorrow. DWB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Real Madron 6 Posted January 3, 2007 The radio news is suggesting that Saddam's two henchmen are due for execution tomorrow. DWB thats nice. Cue arguement as to whether they should have been allowed on the list... (they were on mine) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Die 63 Posted January 3, 2007 The radio news is suggesting that Saddam's two henchmen are due for execution tomorrow. DWB Woo Hoo! They are both on my DDP list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_fan 41 Posted January 3, 2007 The radio news is suggesting that Saddam's two henchmen are due for execution tomorrow. DWB thats nice. Cue arguement as to whether they should have been allowed on the list... (they were on mine) They are on my DDP and HDP list as well CNN link Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted January 3, 2007 I think the only Derby Dead Pooler to have missed them is Windsor... who will now accuse everyone else of being a cheat. A sitter from 5 yards, with the goalie stranded...who'd turn that down? (ATJ who can't be bothered to sign in.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoggie 0 Posted January 3, 2007 the death penalty, if you have nothing to fear why worry. anyway let the people of iraq do away with each other. who rearly cares i don't Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrunoBrimley 83 Posted January 3, 2007 I think the only Derby Dead Pooler to have missed them is Windsor... who will now accuse everyone else of being a cheat. A sitter from 5 yards, with the goalie stranded...who'd turn that down? (ATJ who can't be bothered to sign in.) The worst of this is that those miserable Shiites who have replaced the Sunnis are clearly responsible for this delay and no doubt for their own gain in their various deathlists, they wanted to be assured of having some hits for '07. As I have indicated before I see no reason to cheat by using those slayted for execution in a set block of time. It's cheating no matter how you look at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anubis the Jackal 76 Posted January 3, 2007 Fair point Bruno. Keep a look out for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistanis Doomed Infidels team in the DDP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windsor 2,143 Posted January 3, 2007 The radio news is suggesting that Saddam's two henchmen are due for execution tomorrow. DWB thats nice. Cue arguement as to whether they should have been allowed on the list... (they were on mine) They are on my DDP and HDP list as well CNN link I wouldn't bet on it for I have a cunning plan... I'm going to dash to Iraq and taunt them at the gallows thus halting the execution (for about 5 minutes). Or I could admit that I have made the biggest mistake since Michael Jackson though "I'm bored with being black - I think I'm going to become white and molest some kids". - allegedly* *Just to keep the lawyers at bay - Teddy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_fan 41 Posted January 4, 2007 UN appeals to Iraq on executions UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has appealed to Iraq not to execute two top officials from former president Saddam Hussein's rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lod01 0 Posted January 4, 2007 That bitch needs to shut her cake hole. I got money riding on Tikriti. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canadian Paul 93 Posted January 4, 2007 Don't have al-Bandar, but al-Tikriti is my joker, so let 'em hang. People have recently been comparing Abraham Lincoln to Saddam Hussein to protest his execution. It's true in the broadest sense that both were willing to kill their own countrymen for the sake of order. Lincoln, however, did not slaughter women and children and he certainly didn't drop them in industrial paper shredders or burn them alive in acid. I just got the strange feeling that someone would pop up to tell me what an 'ignant I am for thinking those two should hang. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
