Bad Form

So Saddam was executed yesterday, and today there is a video of it online. As a child of what you might call the Internet Age, I understand that there is very little that does not make its way onto the Internet. I understand that people have an insatiable curiosity, especially about things dark and sinister. This is the conclusion of a very high-profile issue, and of course there is going to be demand for closure in video form, however poor the resolution may be.

Saddam Hussein was a merciless man who killed many, many people. I hold no doubts that it was a good thing that he was removed from power. I probably would have invaded several years ago were I running things. In fact, I'd say it's also a good thing he was executed. There are some people that are too dangerous to be left in a cell somewhere, waiting to be rescued by some crazy fundamentalists and start a revolution.

That being said, while he may have been a very bad man, he was still a man. I have seen the video of his execution, and I think I would have preferred not to. I can't quite justify the fact that I have just watched a man die. And I assure you, that's what you see in the video. There are no drumrolls, there is no fanfare. There is only a dimly lit room and a man about to breath his last. There are some things that should not be on the Internet for all to see. This is one of those things.

Also, who the hell is in charge of letting people in to see the execution? I could see maybe video taping it for records or something, but I would think you would ensure that only trustworthy people who aren't going to turn around and post the video on YouTube are present. Come on now.