[foot-loose]

Following the execution of Saddam, what are your views on the death penalty?

I keep changing my mind on it. Plus there would be a difference between the death penalty here to the same thing in a country like Iraq where it has been a much stronger form of punishment for a long time.

Also, I was watching the Sky News coverage and there was a discussion about whither or not they should show him actually dying on air. They said that the Iraq government had not released the footage of Saddam actually dropping through the hole in the floor but even if they had the footage, they wouldn't show it. This was because we (as a nation) don't support the death penalty but also because they have to stick to the Ofcom rules.

What do you think about that? Should they show something like that?

Personally, I don't think they should. I dont need to see that at ten in the morning (with a hangover). If they did show it, would it be "news" or some sort of twisted entertainment?

[MK Chris]

I never have and I never will support the death penalty, no matter what the crime. I do believe in longer prison sentences than we dish out at the moment (like a minimum of 10 years for all violent crime) but the state should not have the say over life and death.

[Jimmy_Lemon]

I am with Topher on this one. A life time in some kind of maximum security Iraqi jail would have been far better than creating a martyr. But thats the way they chose to deal with it, and guess they have to face the consequences!

On the second point I doubt it would ever be aired on any western tv channel, and no I don't think it would be news - the news is that he has been hanged.

You can almost guarentee one of the red tops will have a still of him just before he is killed or something though!

[Yudster]

I'm with Topher too, but the laws in other countries are nothing to do with us, and different cultures have different views. Personally I have no hesitation in saying they are wrong, which I know is the height of political incorrectness, but I make no apology for that - and also I have no expectation or emotional requirement that any of the groups of people which I disagree with should change their minds and agree with me either. I believe that the knowledge is inbuilt into humanity that to take another's life is wrong. As a species we have become very good at ignoring this knowledge, for a huge number of reasons - but deep down we all know it, whatever excuses we might make for ourselves.

Prison sentences - prisons are under tremendous pressure in this country, and longer sentences isn't an option at the moment apparently. I wonder if it would be an option to actually treat a prison sentence as a punishment, rather than the somewhat cushioned existence it is these days? Perhaps then for many people we could actually have shorter sentences which had a more profound effect.

I understand the view that filming his death is necessary to be able to prove that it has taken place, but it shouldn't be a public domain thing, surely. But if it really wasn't filmed, you can bet your life that within months there will be rumours abounding that he is actually still alive.....

[Sidders]

What do you think about that? Should they show something like that?

Personally, I don't think they should. I dont need to see that at ten in the morning (with a hangover). If they did show it, would it be "news" or some sort of twisted entertainment?

Why would people want to watch it? (I know there would be people that would, but IMO those people are twisted.)

[foot-loose]

I dont know. Its probably like the car crash senario - you dont want to look, you know you shouldnt - but you do.

[Sidders]

I have to take my hat off to you for that one.

[SAV1OUR]

What do you think about that? Should they show something like that?

Personally, I don't think they should. I dont need to see that at ten in the morning (with a hangover). If they did show it, would it be "news" or some sort of twisted entertainment?

Why would people want to watch it? (I know there would be people that would, but IMO those people are twisted.)

The bloke from Aussie who liked croccies wouldnt have liked floating around youtube, I was gonna say that if idiots aren't allowed to watch Saddam swing then how are they able to watch a good man die? Its an effed up world aint it? Having said that I refer to the comment someone made on the other about Murdoch missing a golden ratings opportunity, theres nothing that man wouldnt do for a bit of dosh, he afterall owns Saddam now considering he got the picture of him in his underpants. "Today..Live from Baghdad or wherever..we bring you a blockbusting exclusive..SADDAM TV! Hes your gimp if he doesnt do what you phone up and tell him to do he will not get fed!! Oh..by the way, you're not allowed to evict him!"

[Mermaid]

We see a lot worse in films and on tv programmes

[foot-loose]

Like mum says - its all tomato sauce in the films.

[Yudster]

Don't lets go blurring the lines between whats real and whats in the movies now, that way madness lies.........

[bumheed7]

What do you think about that? Should they show something like that?

Personally, I don't think they should. I dont need to see that at ten in the morning (with a hangover). If they did show it, would it be "news" or some sort of twisted entertainment?

Why would people want to watch it? (I know there would be people that would, but IMO those people are twisted.)

dunno if this has been answered but the folk who wanna see it are the iraqis.
even i wont fully buy that hes dead until i see the body.

thats why the pictures of his dead sons were shown, because the iraqis wanted confirmation that it was true.

[kendra k]

wasn't there some other death penalty thread?

i, as an ineffective liberal, am not comfortable with any government killing somebody, but i also don't think it's my place to tell how a foreign government to do it's thing. but of course, what about genocide?

aghh!!!

[MK Chris]

Prison sentences - prisons are under tremendous pressure in this country, and longer sentences isn't an option at the moment apparently. I wonder if it would be an option to actually treat a prison sentence as a punishment, rather than the somewhat cushioned existence it is these days? Perhaps then for many people we could actually have shorter sentences which had a more profound effect.

I understand prisons are full up, but personally I think there are far too many people in there who shouldn't be; people who have done things similar to the Jeffrey Archer or Lester Piggott scenarios are no danger to society and should be hit in the pocket.

Also, I agree that prisons should be less cushy than they are at the moment.

[Loudmouthed_Cutie]

I agree Topher I think it's wrong that some people can control wether you die or not..
also how come if its decided in court it's not considered murder?

[Matt and his mini]

i think in cases like saddams there should be the death penalty but not quite as overused as in america. However i do think that just killing him was an easy option. it would have been better for the Iraq citizens who had been tortured and physically harmed by saddam if he too had been made to suffer aswell, although there is probably someting against his human rights about that

[Sidders]

It's a shame really, I wanted him to escape. We might have had a bit of action then.

[Matt and his mini]

Quite unsurprisingly the whole think is on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Ar6I8iqOw

[Matt and his mini]

Quite unsurprisingly the whole think is on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Ar6I8iqOw

thing not think and be warned you do see him fall through the floor and dangle from the end of the rope

[Loudmouthed_Cutie]

It's a shame really, I wanted him to escape. We might have had a bit of action then.

haha yeah like in robin hood where they always get shot down and run off..