It was announced today that the Fort Hood terrorist who killed 13 people will be executed for his crimes. And that the execution will be live-streamed.

Now, I've tried to live a life of non-violence since I studied Buddhism in the late 80's. I don't consider myself a Buddhist, but I do find that integrating some Buddhist precepts and teachings in my life leads to my living a happier, more fulfilling existence. As an example, it's a small joy to me to catch a spider and release it outside as opposed to killing the poor thing. There's a power which comes from not taking a life that makes me feel better about my existence in a way few other things do. It's why I'm a vegetarian.

So you can imagine my confusion here.

One one hand, I'm thinking "Fuck yeah! Light the asshole up! He's a piece of shit terrorist, a murderer, and he deserves to be executed!" But on the other hand, I'm thinking "Doesn't wishing a man dead, regardless of his crimes, make me just as bad as he is? Can't there be a way to punish him in a way which doesn't result in killing?"

Ultimately I would prefer to not kill under any circumstances, I think. But in this case? I just don't know. I'm glad it's not my decision to make.

Regardless of what side of the fence I reconcile with, I absolutely do not feel that an execution should be presented as public entertainment.

And let me tell you why.

First of all, I do not buy into the argument which says it makes the country look strong in the face of terrorism. What it does is make us look like a country of psychotic monsters who get a thrill from watching somebody be killed in real-time. Live-streaming an execution? Who does that? Terrorists... and, apparently, We The People of The United States of America. What a sick thing to be presenting to the world.

Second of all, I do not agree that publicly executing somebody will dissuade others from committing terrorist acts. Especially when we all know that this will just drive more people to commit terrorist acts. Because they're terrorists. Nothing makes them happier than public displays of violence which advance their cause... even when it is them on the receiving end of that violence. It's all part of their plan. They become martyrs for the cause, and the entire world can see it happen live. And the reaction will be the opposite of what's intended. Dissuade terrorists? Hell no. You're inspiring them. If you absolutely must lower yourselves to executing the asshole, then do it in private and let him slip into obscurity. Don't give him the martyrdom notoriety he's craving.

And lastly, I honestly do feel that this makes us no better than the person we're executing. He used violence to make a public statement. Public execution is the same thing. It's not going to solve anything.

Over and over again I see people on the Right justifying public execution with "Liberals cheered when Charlie Kirk was executed publicly... why is this execution any different?" And the answer is that people tuning in to watch Charlie Kirk were not expecting to see him murdered. Whereas people tuning into Hegseth's snuff film will be watching somebody be killed as entertainment intentionally. And if I have to explain why that's wrong, then nothing I can say will change your mind, so I hope you have fun watching a person being killed.

I, however, will not be tuning in to watch.

I prefer my violence as entertainment to be fake and come from Hollywood, because they know how to do it up right. An actual execution is likely boring as hell. And highly disturbing. And destroys your soul, whether you know it or not. But in a movie? Well, it's not for everybody. But for me? That's entertainment.

UPDATE 10/12/26: Oh look... co-signed by somebody who actually knows what they're talking about...

This is so important that I'm typing out Lieutenant General Sean McFarland's post for accessibility...

This is a terrible idea - Pete Hegseth is giving Hassan exactly what he wants. I have no problem with executing this man. In fact, when I was CG of Fort Hood, it was my responsibility to approve his death sentence. I also had the solemn duty of presenting Purple Heart medals to those he wounded and to the next of kin of those he killed. But it is fair to ask whether carrying out the sentence at Fort Hood and live streaming it is justice, vengeance, or a mere spectacle for the masses. It also surrenders a piece of the moral high ground we have held up to now in our campaigns against Al Qaeda and ISIS by adopting their barbaric practice of video recording the executions of their prisoners. Once it is aired, it is bound to make it harder for our service members to be seen as "the good guys" in foreign lands. How many insurgents were inspired to attack our troops by photos from Abu Ghraib prison? Worst of all, it will make Nidal Hassan an international martyr. Shooting a hole in the chest of a wheelchair bound paraplegic on live tv will not be a good look for America, no matter who we are shooting. By all means, deliver justice to this man. But do it humanely, with dispassionate professionalism, in seclusion at the US Disciplinary Barracks. This will deliver the necessary punitive and deterrent effects while upholding our reputation as a civilized nation to be admired and emulated. It will also deprive our enemies of a propaganda weapon to use against us.

What in the hell are we even doing any more?