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AIBU?

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AIBU to think live-streamed public executions have no place in a civilised society?

164 replies

PeasOff · 09/10/2026 14:54

Just when you think you're becoming desensitised to Trump and the constant stream of news coming out of America.. you read something else that makes you think WTF is actually going on?!

According to the BBC, the Pentagon has confirmed that the first public execution in 60 years is set to take place. The plan is for a terrorist to be executed by firing squad, with the execution being live-streamed.

My immediate thought was that ISIS used to film and broadcast executions as a form of propaganda, intimidation and to make a spectacle of killing. Obviously, there are differences between a terrorist organisation and a country carrying out a judicial sentence, but does live-streaming an execution really make it any less barbaric?

We rightly condemn terrorist groups for turning death into a public spectacle, so why would it be acceptable for a government to do something similar?

How can broadcasting their death to the public can be justified in a modern, civilised society.

AIBU to find this disturbing? Is there any legitimate place for public, live-streamed executions in society, or is this a step to far?

BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy0r96xygx6o

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks ahead of US President Donald Trump at Anduril Industries in Sparrows Point, Maryland, on October 6, 2026.

Fort Hood attacker's execution by firing squad will be livestreamed, Pentagon says

Pete Hegseth says the execution will be public, but a legal expert says the "unprecedented" decision is on "uncertain legal terrain".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy0r96xygx6o

OP posts:
InveterateWineDrinker · 09/10/2026 14:56

I have seen some actual atrocities in my life, and I was horrified reading this news.

I will boycott any organisation that has anything to do with the live stream - platform, sponsors, anyone.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2026 14:56

Pete is a sociopath and this is the latest in a long line.

The midterms in November will be interesting.

Martymcfly24 · 09/10/2026 14:57

Yanbu.
Whatever you're opinion of the death penalty (which I am firmly against) this goes beyond the realms of civilised society. It is dragging the country backwards.

How USA could aim for a moral high ground over countries like Iran after this beggars belief .

Seethethingis · 09/10/2026 14:57

YABU to believe that the USA is anything approaching a civilised society.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2026 14:57

The other thing is that children will definitely see it. No question. And WTF does that do to their brains?

Notsooldcrock · 09/10/2026 14:58

When they say "live streamed" is that privately to a selected audience of witnesses?
If so, it won't be the first time this has happened.

Ablondiebutagoody · 09/10/2026 14:59

I do think that a firing squad is less barbaric than sawing a head off, but agree that live-streaming is grim.

Silverbirchleaf · 09/10/2026 15:01

I felt sickened when I read this earlier.,

MidnightPatrol · 09/10/2026 15:01

I actually kind of understand it (even if I disagree with doing it).

I suppose it’s treason, and they want to demonstrate that attacking their soldiers won’t be tolerated. A bit like us punishing criminals more harshly for injuring or killing police.

So I think it has historic precedence in the potential logic.

I agree it’s awful though.

Onlythisnamewasavailable · 09/10/2026 15:01

Good grief, if you read this was going to happen, but the names and specific location of the crimes/country were redacted, you would assume it would be a middle Eastern country doing this.

But then again, with Trump in charge, nothing should really surprise us.

He, and his country, continue to reach shocking new lows

ShanghaiDiva · 09/10/2026 15:02

Notsooldcrock · 09/10/2026 14:58

When they say "live streamed" is that privately to a selected audience of witnesses?
If so, it won't be the first time this has happened.

Witnesses do attend executions, but in person and not live streamed.

InterestedDad37 · 09/10/2026 15:03

It's horrific, but nothing surprises me about Trump's regime any more; the USA is now a 'rogue state' anyway.

araiwa · 09/10/2026 15:03

At least let him fight tigers in a stadium or something

Could have been half time show at world Cup just after shakira

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2026 15:03

Onlythisnamewasavailable · 09/10/2026 15:01

Good grief, if you read this was going to happen, but the names and specific location of the crimes/country were redacted, you would assume it would be a middle Eastern country doing this.

But then again, with Trump in charge, nothing should really surprise us.

He, and his country, continue to reach shocking new lows

Well yes. Because the only countries that have public executions that we know of (North Korea probably does) are Iran and Afghanistan. Those beacons of light and justice.

Lamelie · 09/10/2026 15:04

I can’t believe it’ll happen. Hesgeth is on borrowed time apparently; perhaps it’s a bid to make himself relevant/ controversial. Remember the only thing Trump is interested in is ratings.

chirrupybird · 09/10/2026 15:06

They might miss. I heard that when we used firing squads usually a number of men didn't want to do it and aimed to miss, occasionally no one actually aimed at the victim.

After the debacle with the lethal injection nothing would surprise me.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 09/10/2026 15:07

Notsooldcrock · 09/10/2026 14:58

When they say "live streamed" is that privately to a selected audience of witnesses?
If so, it won't be the first time this has happened.

No, they mean live streamed as in broadcast.

Honds · 09/10/2026 15:08

Iran, Afganistan and the US, I don't think anyone could pretend any are "civilised" under their current regimes.

Honds · 09/10/2026 15:09

ShanghaiDiva · 09/10/2026 15:02

Witnesses do attend executions, but in person and not live streamed.

Select witnesses, not the public.

ExtraHotDoubleShot · 09/10/2026 15:10

YANBU. I can honestly see the Purge actually happening there.

emuloc · 09/10/2026 15:11

Seethethingis · 09/10/2026 14:57

YABU to believe that the USA is anything approaching a civilised society.

This! One only has to look at the History of the Country, to know that.

SmallDFartyCarNRG · 09/10/2026 15:11

I wonder if once they make him a Martyr they are hoping to create a business out of this, in true Consumerist style? Jihadists welcome to US why don't you kill us, we give you your place in heaven as a true patriot to your religion by murdering you on the global stage, meanwhile we make money off war by filming your execution for the world to keep this going in perpetuity.

EveryoneUsingOutro · 09/10/2026 15:13

Seethethingis · 09/10/2026 14:57

YABU to believe that the USA is anything approaching a civilised society.

This is what I was coming to say.

Yes there are some pleasant parts of the USA to live in, and decent people, of course there are. (Hello to my chum in Cali who is on here! - when are you in CA going to exit and join Canada 😂)

But way right wing, racist, “Christian” nationalist MAGA cult America is utterly bonkers, evil and definitely not civilised.

The funniest thing is they all in that cult think we want be like them, be American , live there. I wouldn’t go there if you paid me. It’s rotten to the core and this is just another hideous example of it.

trappedbynerves · 09/10/2026 15:14

Do you know what's horrific? Murdering a pregnant woman while she begs for her baby's life. As well as murdering twelve other people. And shooting, in the hopes of killing, another thirty.

My sympathy for their murderer is zero. Is the death penalty something that I feel uncomfortable about, obviously. But given the range of horrible things that happen every hour, the execution of a very, very evil man shouldn't really bother anyone apart from those who have the misfortune of loving him.