Dem
53
Ties
2
GOP
45
We imagine that everyone knows what happened when Tennessee tried to execute convicted murderer Christa Pike. Thanks to a poorly placed needle, as well as drugs that were past their expiration date, she was merely rendered comatose. There was much supposition that she would be permanently brain-damaged, and might never actually awaken from her coma, but a few days ago she awakened and is apparently able to communicate normally.
The conclusion that one might reasonably draw from this is that capital punishment should be abolished nationwide (something that has already happened, explicitly or implicitly, in about 30 states plus D.C.). Clearly, it is too easy to make disastrous mistakes. And that's before we get into the facts that: (1) people have been executed and later proven to be innocent; (2) study after study has shown the death penalty is not a deterrent; (3) putting someone to death costs more than just imprisoning them for life and (4) all the other western democracies have abolished the death penalty—maybe they know something.
On the other hand, if one still supports capital punishment, there still remains an obvious conclusion to be drawn. Execution by lethal injection, just like execution by electric chair and execution by oxygen deprivation (usually a nitrogen mask), were created to make the death penalty more "civilized," as compared to bloody or otherwise more violent methods like hanging, firing squads and the guillotine. The problem here is that executing a person is not "civilized," and while these newer methods might photograph better, they are not more effective nor are they kinder to the intended victim. So, if the U.S. is going to retain capital punishment, it should switch back to one of the older, uglier methods. The guillotine is not pretty, but it does do its work, quickly and successfully, 100% of the time. And people can just get over their notions that an execution is something that can be done in a nice, tidy manner.
A day or two after the Pike fiasco, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that he had asked for Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan to be executed by firing squad, and that Donald Trump had approved, with the date of the execution set for December 3. When we heard this news, we wondered if the reason was:
Yesterday, we found out that while there may be a little bit of #1 in there, #2 is far and away the main motivation.
The reason we say this is that Hegseth announced he wants to livestream the execution. Ostensibly, this is illegal, in that Army Regulation 190-55 limits the types of people allowed to watch an execution (e.g., no kids). But Provost Marshal General of the Army Sarah Albrycht can waive that, if she so desires. One imagines she will do so, or else will be fired and replaced by an acting Provost Marshal General of the Army who will grant the waiver.
At this point, let us share a message we got from reader J.C. in Washington, DC:
If you want something that is fascist this is it.
Unbelievable.
This is the nail in the coffin. Pete Hegseth's impeachment should be the number one priority in the 120th Congress.
In the movie Starship Troopers the quote is, "Execution tonight at 6:00. All Net. All Channels." Seems like something FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr might be involved in. This is the worst thing I've seen out of the DoD since I departed and needs to be amplified around the country so folks realize what is going on in this administration. Another horrific distraction that is also politically boneheaded.
I've been writing in a long time, but I'd ask that you make this front and center tomorrow. As a veteran I find this highly disturbing.
Request granted. We also find it highly disturbing.
We suspect a great many veterans will not be happy with this news. And just in case, Hegseth added a little extra insult to injury in explaining his (alleged) thinking in ordering that the execution be made public:
We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public, because people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things... I like the mentality we had in World War II, which was win. Which was understand when the enemy attacks you, you stand your ground.
The reference to World War II is because that is the last time the military executed someone by firing squad. At the same time, it is also an implied insult to soldiers who have served since then, suggesting that, for example, Vietnam went sideways because the soldiers did NOT "understand when the enemy attacks you, you stand your ground." In fact, the problem in Vietnam (and Afghanistan, and Iraq and now Iran) was crummy leadership that had no particular concept of what the endgame might be, much less an idea how to achieve that endgame. The soldiers in those conflicts were just as good as the (very good) soldiers of World War II. It is absolutely shocking, of course, that Hegseth is able to point the finger at the folks who put their rear ends on the line, but that he seems to be unwilling to look critically at leadership. Wonder why that might be...
In case readers are wondering, the reason that the execution is not set for prior to the midterms (juice up the base!) is that at least 60 days have to pass between the signing of a death warrant and an execution. This administration, of course, has a habit of ignoring rules it does not like, but maybe this was a bridge too far. In addition, Hasan can still appeal his conviction in civilian court, so that may extend the timeline, no matter what Hegseth and Trump want to do.
Earlier this year, the satirical newspaper The Onion dryly joked that:
In an effort to provide some joy to the nation and boost overall well-being, Justice Department officials announced plans Monday to bring back firing squads as a means of entertainment. "For too long, weak-on-fun Democrats have prevented our country from exercising this beloved tradition of murdering for enjoyment," said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, claiming the practice was also a far cheaper and more efficient method of amusement than lethal injection. "Capital punishment with actual guns and bullets acts as a natural deterrent for boredom when it is carried in front of millions of thrilled, screaming Americans. Firing squads are going to completely expedite the delight and euphoria that are often slow in death penalty cases, with some inmates being forced to wait years before their death provides amusement for a cheering crowd." Blanche added that the Justice Department was also considering reestablishing state electrocutions for a one-night-only exclusive livestream on YouTube.
Blanche turned out to be the wrong Cabinet member, but otherwise it's a reminder that we live in a time where even the most over-the-top, surreal satire can become reality.
In any event, this is an absolutely vile use of a man's life as a source of political theater. There is already immense blowback, and there will surely also be lawsuits. So, it's a fair question of whether or not the execution and/or the livestream will actually happen. Either way, however, it shows exactly where Hegseth's mind is, and that he's a psychotic and bloodthirsty petty tyrant. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), the Democrats, and maybe some other Republican members of the House will have all the cover they need to vote for impeachment. And if Hegseth does end up before the Senate, we can imagine a world where there just might be enough votes to convict. (Z & A)