[firecat]

Seeing the execution of Saddam Hussein on television - isn't it clear that we should be more concerned about how killing people reflects on ourselves than motivations of revenge or retribution. That a tyrant takes his leave of the world displaying dignity and courage, making us, by extension from his masked and leather-clad taunters, seem grubby and callous, is a disgraceful monument to this particular adventure.

I believe that legally authorised executions should be televised live. I have no doubt that the American people, for example, would very soon lose their appetite for the death penalty.