The other thing I find somewhat bizarre (but not really, it’d require Hegseth to know something about actual military culture) in this whole grotesque monstrosity is that the execution is going to be by firing squad rather than hanging. A firing squad is “honorable” for military executions, while hanging isn’t. Which is why those convicted at the Nurnberg and Tokyo war crimes trial were hung and requests for execution by firing squad were denied. Maybe the thought of hanging a man in a wheelchair was too much for even Kegsbreath. But then again, considering how insane of a Christian nationalist he is, I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t announced the corpse will be wrapped in pork before burial to really give it to the Muslims.
Historically, there was a strange hierarchy in execution methods, at least in Europe. Hanging was the lowest, most humiliating form of execution (except perhaps for burning at the stake), intended for common scum; the firing squad was slightly more reputable, intended for soldiers and other fighters; while beheading was reserved for nobles and kings. By changing Hasan’s execution method from hanging to shooting, Trump is actually giving him a more “respectable” death.
Firing squad does feel more viscerably noble, IMO. If I were to ever find myself in such a situation, I’d like to think that (instead of crying and shitting myself which is probably what would realistically happen) I’d refuse a blindfold and demand that my executioners look me in the eye when they pull the trigger.
Supposedly, Mata Hari refused a blindfold and when see blew her executions a kiss, one of them fainted. Might be an UL.
Which would have required her hands to be free to reach her face. Not highly likely.
I seem to remember some rhetoric from the maladministration about “letting the punishment fit the crime”. He shot some people so he should be shot, so that’s why they are choosing firing squad.
For those who are surprised that America would embrace such brutality, should recall that a few decades ago the whole town would come together to string up a mutilate an uppity negro. That part of America’s id that relishes the suffering of those deemed undesirable went underground but didn’t go away. Trump just made it socially acceptable again.
Exactly. Public executions (whether lynchings or legal) used to be parties.
There are always going to be people (as long as we’re really this species) who enjoy killing other people. Some societies encourage this. Some discourage it. I strongly prefer being part of a society which discourages it.
Maybe they’ll mount him on a horse and hang him and the horse simultaneously.
Hang his wheelchair?
I wonder if Hegseth knew that he was on a wheelchair when he first came up with the whole public execution idea? My guess is that he did not, but when he found out he pretended it didn’t matter so as not to embarrass himself.
Honestly, I’m not sure the wheelchair should matter. Either way, he’s a sitting duck.
There is a history of firing squads shooting people in chairs. The last person executed in the Tower of London was shot sitting down, due to a leg injury (he was a German spy who broke his ankle parachuting into Britain).
I doubt they would make him stand even if he could. It’s easier to immobilize a seated person. FWIW, Gary Gilmore was shot seated. The Breaker Morant guys were also seated, if the movie is accurate.
Too Mel Brooks.
Bear in mind that Cpl. Melvin Brooks, 1104th Engineer Combat Battalion, was more of a soldier than Hegseth could ever dream of being.