ACCORDING TO LIZ - In just one more way this administration is proving itself beyond the pale of civilized society, Trump and pals have gleefully announced the next spectacle to divert the American public from their leaders’ spectacular failings.
Instead of solving the economic crisis, stopping wars, expanding humanitarian aid, and re-establishing diplomatic norms with countries around the world…
The president invited the world to enjoy the livestreaming of the gruesome murder – oops, execution – on December 3 of Nidal Hasan, a fellow human being, by Firing Squad.
This bizarre attempt at exonerating exceptionally poor American leadership is far worse than terrorists cutting off the heads of those they’ve kidnapped, a message from pariahs seeking publicity.
Here, it is state sanctioned murder aired for (sick) entertainment.
Worse than the Hunger Games, as the victim will have absolutely no chance to escape and the perpetrators, as well as being guilty of murder, are either sociopaths or fated for a future of PTSD trauma.
A sickening, offensive, and immoral exhibition, insensitive to widespread public revulsion to the process of capital punishment in the wake of the Christa Pike debacle.
Also, consider, would Hegseth and Trump have dared to promote such an event if it was a Mayflower descendant in Massachusetts named John Adams in the execution detail’s gunsights, all too reminiscent of the lynchings that will forever tarnish the history of the United States?
This continuation of the elements of white supremacy and alt-right extremism woven through the fabric of American destiny, now exalted by the current administration, is a throwback to the festivities surrounding outdoor hangings in 16th century England as well as the deep South.
Hegseth’s apparently joyful desire to widely spread the horror to anyone who can find a feed is destined to traumatize many, creating generations of perverted personalities, and forever condemn the United States to the backwater swamps of humanity.
Unfortunately, there definitely will be an audience clamoring to see and share. No different from the Christchurch, New Zealand mass shootings at two mosques during Friday prayers livestreamed to maybe 200.
Then viewed by 4,000 on Facebook until it was taken down. But not before the clips went worldwide in newsfeeds and, despite Facebook’s censors removing 1.5 million reposts on its website, users had already downloaded copies and millions more have viewed the 17 repugnant minutes since.
When reporters demanded how he squared his Christian faith with this president and his self-righteous Lord of Defense sidekick’s gratuitous self-gratification (well, maybe not in so many words), JD Vance prevaricated.
“First of all… I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen… whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don’t forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people.”
However, Vance said he was “not going to be watching.” See no evil?
What's the upside? With a death sentence and no hope, the condemned have no incentive to behave better. And, with the vagaries of American jurisprudence, potential offenders are rarely deterred.
The death penalty, instead, tends to promote injustice. For the condemned and for the victim’s family and friends.
What is sickening is that the tiers of laws in this country have made me complicit in the torture and taking of life, contravening the Bible many – disingenuously – claim to follow.
Old Testament eye for an eye retributive (in)justice sinks the collective morality of those who pursue, execute and just believe it acceptable to less than the level of the worst perpetrators. What happened to ‘Thou shalt not kill’?
Societal norms? Should include compassion.
And what happens if, by weapon malfunction or shooting errors, Hasan is injured but not killed. Like Christa Pike.
Lethal injection purportedly sanitized the brutality of earlier execution methods, but no one deserves to die, especially by collective assassination.
Pike had asked to be hanged knowing she had vein issues – the cause of another failed Tennessee execution in May – and death by pentobarbital was extremely painful, akin to deliberate torture, despite the Constitution barring cruel and unusual punishment
In a recent interview, she stated, “The drug supposedly burns very bad… they used the word Draino in speaking about this drug, and the thought of suffocating and drowning on my own bodily fluid and blood isn’t very appealing to me.” Witnesses said they could hear her complaining of burning pain, that her arm felt it was about to burst.
In many death penalty cases, there are real questions about the factuality of a condemned person’s guilt or the fairness of their trial and appeals process. Of the political priorities of those involved, of the political tenor where harsh punishment seems to supersede rehabilitation and even protection of potential future victims.
Pike’s criminal trial did not take into account a childhood marked with horrific, repeated, and severe sexual and physical violence.
Capital punishment is a very expensive process, up to five times more than life imprisonment. Millions of taxpayer dollars would be saved along with lives of the wrongly condemned, the guilt carried by many directly and indirectly caught up in the process, and the prolongation of victims’ families’ suffering and its continued exacerbation by the news media and politicians’ gamesmanship.
Two wrongs have NEVER made a right.
Governments are supposed to be for everyone, not just those who voted them into office: Trump told a rally of his supporters that Iran could “take out” LA and San Diego – and was met with cheers not jeers.
This administration must be held accountable for its grievous actions, small and large. Americans need to join together and stand up for community values and standards – start and sign petitions, call ALL elected officials, disenroll and demand refunds from any outlet streaming it.
Followed by a countrywide crackdown on all judicial murders – no exceptions – to regain at least some of America’s moral credibility.
And…
Send in animal control officers to remove the rabid beasts from the White House, and incarcerate them where they can no longer hurt anyone.
(Liz Amsden is a former Angeleno now living in Vermont and a regular CityWatch contributor. She writes on issues she’s passionate about, including social justice, government accountability, and community empowerment. Liz brings a sharp, activist voice to her commentary and continues to engage with Los Angeles civic affairs from afar. She can be reached at [email protected].)
